Where are the best places to live in north England?

[GooseWhiskers]

I currently live in an absolutely gorgeous town in Cheshire, but with a little one on the way we're going to have to think about moving within the next few years.

Unfortunately in our area, the price difference for the houses we'd want is too big so we're looking at other towns in the UK.

Ideally we'd like:

• Strong sense of community
• Nice town centre with shops, cafes, restaurants, pubs etc.
• Not too far from a good train station (roughly 1/2hr or so)
• Near motorways (my family live in south west London, husband travels around for work)

What are your favourite northern towns?

York but pricey, Harrogate very pricey, Thirsk or Northallerton is your best bet

Barnard Castle

Todmorden or Hebden bridge. Whaley and clitheroe are quite nice too and within 30/40 mins of Preston or Manchester.

WillSantaBeComingToTown - do you live in Harrogate at the moment? I think it is changing for the better - loads of things have come together around Covid. I know people on my street better now than I have ever done. We do still have a Tory MP though.

Saddleworth.

It really does depend on your budget and what you want to be able to buy with it??

I went to uni in Durham. There are about 12,000 students in a very very small city so I'm sure it can be slightly annoying having the entire place basically gridlocked 6 times a year for start and end of term, plus graduations, matriculations and open days.

I third Hexham.

I fourth Hexham or Corbridge is also lovely

Clitheroe.

Penwortham is a suburb. Not a town. It's nice, but it's not what OP is looking for.

Clitheroe
Kirkby Lonsdale

Yarm (or the Eaglescliffe suburb, direct line to London, Newcastle, York, Leeds, Manchester etc, better schools than Yarm and slightly cheaper houses, similar walking distance to Yarm high street), Thirsk, Ripon, Northallerton. All near enough to the East Coast mainline from Darlington, most have their own station (or in the case of Yarm/Eaglescliffe, 3 stations). Nice high streets, good schools, locally owned restaurants and shops etc, a lot more house for your money than down south and good community.

North East coast such as Whitley Bay or Tynemouth would tick all of your boxes. The nearest train station in Newcastle Central Station, around a 30 minute drive away or you can get there via Metro (rapid transit system) which stops at Central Station, amongst other places - Whitley Bay metro to Central Station takes around 25-30 minutes.

@FoxyTheFox

North East coast such as Whitley Bay or Tynemouth would tick all of your boxes. The nearest train station in Newcastle Central Station, around a 30 minute drive away or you can get there via Metro (rapid transit system) which stops at Central Station, amongst other places - Whitley Bay metro to Central Station takes around 25-30 minutes.

Came to say this ^^

Northumberland - Morpeth, Alnwick, Hexham are all lovely market towns. Morpeth is on the east coast mainline. Gorgeous countryside and stunning beaches. There's also a very strong sense of community, cheap property and low crime rates.

@VikingsandDragons

Yarm (or the Eaglescliffe suburb, direct line to London, Newcastle, York, Leeds, Manchester etc, better schools than Yarm and slightly cheaper houses, similar walking distance to Yarm high street), Thirsk, Ripon, Northallerton. All near enough to the East Coast mainline from Darlington, most have their own station (or in the case of Yarm/Eaglescliffe, 3 stations). Nice high streets, good schools, locally owned restaurants and shops etc, a lot more house for your money than down south and good community.

Does Yarm have a sense of community?

It depends OP which side of the country east or west? I’m only familiar with the North West & would vote for the Ribble Valley or Lancaster.

Durham!

Not a town but heaton in Newcastle. In a city with all the perks, transport roads etc. But lots of lovely local businesses and a fantastic community. Wish I was there myself

Seconding the suggestion for the Wirral - West Kirby ticks all your boxes, plus there is a beach, walking routes, parks, grammar schools if that's your preference, leisure centre with pool and good public transport. Hoylake is decent too but I think it's shot up in price since they started hosting the golf Open.

And yet another vote for Durham!!!
It literally has everything and ticks all your boxes - perfect mix of cathedral city and stunning countryside.

Skipton, Durham, Hexham come to mind. Depends on how far north you’re thinking.

Alnwick always seems to be on the ‘top places to live’ type lists. It’s very nice and cheap too. Stunning countryside, truly stunning. Alnmouth is nice too, a seaside town that’s really on the up.

Some of these suggestions are not good in my opinion. Stalybridge? Bit depressing and wind swept. I'd avoid anything near a moor like Hebden Bridge or Marsden. So bleak (I grew up there).

Depends what you like. Outdoorsy types will love living somewhere like Marsden or Hebden Bridge with good upland walking, climbing and mountain biking on the doorstep. The moors are beautiful in their own way.