AIBU - Relocating to Lancashire

[Rmivuxg]

Hello, my DP and I have an almost one year old and we currently live in the South East. We are renting a one bedroom grotty flat and dreams of ever owning our own home in the SE seem pretty far away. We've been thinking that we'd be better off relocating to Lancashire as it's cheaper and seems nice. However, we don't really know Lancashire that well and so thought
I'd ask which areas of Lancashire are nice and which areas to avoid. We are currently looking at the Chorley/Preston/Wigan area but are open to some nice, family-friendly areas. We both work in healthcare so we think that it wouldn't be too difficult to find jobs in the area. We have saved up a good chunk of money and are planning to rent somewhere for 6 months or so and get a feel for the area and then buy somewhere after that.

So my AIBU is AIBU to want to relocate to Lancashire in the hopes of owning our own house?

We live in East Lancs - a village off the M65 close to pendle. I think you can rent a 2/3 bed terraced house for approx 550 per month. I don't think you would have a problem finding a car type job locally. Good luck!!

I'm from Wigan originally.
Much prefer it to Preston! Wigan town centre is quite sweet, the high street is half timbered and there is no heavy industry so the air quality is not bad at all.
There are some nicer places to the north of Wigan; Upholland, Orrell, Standish, Winstanley. But there are also some cheaper areas to the South where your money would go a lot further, look at Abram, Hindley, Ashton, even westwards out to Haydock.
Environmentally there are some great wildlife walks along the flashes (big ponds) with deer becoming "pests" in some areas now.
I think Wigan is on the up.

Of course how can we forget Booths.
Best supermarket ever.

I get deer in the woods at the back of my house, and I can see Rivington Pike from my bedroom window.

Ah Booths, how I miss thee.
My marking is placed in big booth's jute carriers and I hanker for their stupendous cheese counter on a regular basis....

The move is made worthwhile by Booths alone...

We don't have booths or a Waitrose

We have a Booths

I may be biased but lytham! You would get more for your money by living in st Anne's though, but there are A LOT of care homes/jobs around. However it is becoming less of the retirement town people have mentioned up thread lytham in particular is really starting to cater for the young. The only downside is trains are a nightmare but buses are fine, and if you can drive then no issues at all! I have never felt cut off from the rest of Lancashire.

And we have a HUGEEE booths

Wigan - like anywhere, some grotty areas BUT Swinley is great and affordable. Whitley /Standish also lovely but a bit pricier although terrace houses are available in Standish for just over £100k - lots going on and good schools in both areas. Upholland, Billinge, Orrell also nice, but quieter. Appley Bridge is lovely for families. Swinley / Whitley / Standish has Haigh Hall Country Park in the middle of it. You can walk to town centre, but also lots local coffee shops, bars, restaurants, tea shops.

Outside Wigan, Parbold, Mawdesley, Croston, up to Hesketh Bank area. All nice, but more rural and expensive.

I moved back to Wigan after a few years away, and I am loving it.

I am within walking distance of a Booths, Preston city centre (which personally I think is really on the up) the railway station, loads of lovely parks and outstanding state schools.
It’s cheap here too. I can run my home comfortably on a single, average salary.

Penwortham?

I could be do tempted to move. We'd be so much better off....

Yes, Penwortham. There are a few nice cafes and pubs within walking distance too.
It’s no wonder Sarah Beeny loves it so much!

I actually love walking through Avenham park in Preston. I had to walk loads after spinal surgery and found a route from the continental pub, up into winckley square via cedarwood coffee (amazing especially their coffee milkshakes!) back down fishergate and to the pub where I started

I live in what's classed as a dodgy area of preston but it's improved so much in the decade I've been here

Buckshaw village near Chorley is nice and you'd get a 2 bed semi for your budget. Good for travel links and I'm sure Life ways care organization are based in Chorley, they always want carers.
I live in Bolton, there's somenice areas and plenty care jobs.

We have a large B&M bargains and several Home bargains but I want a Booths

B&M are Lancy companies though!

When they first started there was J&M in Lytham and K&M in kirkham....

Don't get me wrong I love B&M ,,s police going on for a tin of dog food and coming out sith£30 odd which worth of stuff I didn't know I needed but I think I'm missing out on a Booths !

I.love going in not police ffs!

Me too Ollivander. I walk that way into work, and on a sunny day stop in for a pint at the Conti on my way home.

I’m ten mins drive from two different Booths and about 25 mins from another one! Best part of the world!

Preston city centre (which personally I think is really on the up)
It seems you're quantifiably correct:
www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/nov/01/preston-named-as-most-most-improved-city-in-uk

I actually love walking through Avenham park in Preston.
And just over the river there's a local nature reserve, minutes from the town centre.

Never mind Pound Bakery. What about Bargain Booze? It's done a Greggs and is everywhere now, I'm in Wolverhampton and there is one round the corner.

Now I do have a hankering for an Oddies savory. And the thought of a Booths, Ahhhh.

OP

Be prepared to eat a lot of pastry, it must be to counteract the rain. Certainly in East Lancs a pie and pea supper goes with every occasion, you get a plate containing meat and potato pie (these days there might be a cheese option for vegetarians) steeped peas and pickled red cabbage.

As I said served at any occasion, pub quiz - P and P supper, funeral - P and P supper, after a carol concert before you get your minced pie, you guessed it, P and P.

If someone offers you a brew it is tea or coffee and if someone offers you a drink they probably mean alcohol.

Sometimes it's cornbeef hash or a pastie and peas supper sashh!