To ask where in the Midlands or North would you would live if…

[movvrjm]

You have a toddler and can move anywhere? Budget around 550k. I am very remote at the moment and don’t like it but also don’t like being very central to a city. I’d like to be close ish to one though.

Ok yes Altrincham is lovely (I live here) but it also has draw backs. Everything for kids had a massive waiting lists and yes the grammars are good but they are getting harder and harder to get into.
You are no longer guaranteed to get a place at local secondary school as it's just full.
Over the last couple of years loads of local kids didn't get a local school place and got offered a school over near the Trafford centre.

I would go for knutsford or Lymm.

@DragonMama3 Yes, I lived there for a few years. Sorry if my post came across in the wrong way. I met some lovely people in Lancaster, but overall, I would not recommend it. As a single woman, I didn't feel safe walking at night after being assaulted several times by teenagers/guys in their 20s. I've lived in many cities, but my experience in Lancaster was bad. Because Lancaster and Cumbria University are close by, there are so many students. Houses are ridiculously expensive. It is hard to get doctor's appointments. I also dislike the grammar school system (because I feel it creates a social divide). Of course, that is just my opinion and experience. I think that if you could live anywhere, there are better places for a young family.

Everyone has different requirements, if you are a university lecturer then maybe Lancaster would be ideal...

Look up the Rossendale valley, great countryside, lots of small villages being re-vamped now and easy access to Manchester.
You'll also get plenty for your money there.

@Bippitybobbityboing not really. Like everywhere desirable prices have massively jumped. The place is no secret.

In or around Sheffield. I climb though, so being in the Peak District would be really cool.

There are some really lovely small towns in Yorkshire. Helmsley, Richmond, Hebden Bridge, knaresborough, Pickering and Malton are all lovely.

In the north, Orkney. I’m not keen on the midlands so I wouldn’t want to live there.

Go on then @Ocelotstripes explain what 'sort of people' that you dislike live in Cheshire and Manchester.

It's quite a big area ...

£550 in Wilmslow/Knutsford/Hale/Altrincham/Didsbury really won't go far.

Wilmslow is full of pricks. The rest I can cope with. But Wilmslow I'd happily put a Stalyvegas 'Volcano' on.

York
Harrogate
Ripon
Ilkley
Skipton
Leeds (outskirts)

True 550 k won’t go far in those areas. I was wrong to suggest Didsbury or Wilmslow.

The question was "where would you live if..."
a very quick Google search shows several nice detached 4 or 5 bedroom houses in their price range so that would be my recommendation.
Perhaps make your own rather than trying to put other people down?

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/140119790

Another vote for West Bridgford, great high street, great schools, close to countryside, loads of walks, cycling, sports, near city too so easily accessible if you want it. Great vibe and house prices really stable so good investment

Go North OP. There are ‘bits’ of the Midlands which have some decent scenery but in general you’re always close to a rundown town or city so it feels so tired. And land locked!

York, or the villages around it.

Seconding not Lancaster, we lived there for years now 30 mins away on the train and never visit. Just does not meet 'city' requirements for me. Malton lovely, in a beautiful area with good access to country, coast and York.

Is the op returning?

Somewhere on the outskirts of Manchester near one of the tram routes. Anywhere else I can think of in the north has less public transport, and even if you have a car, parking charges or some ill-health could mean you would need to use tram, rail or bus.

Also, what about Buxton if you want the Midlands?
I know it less well but it's lovely and there's property in your price range?

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/138938915

York- is a city so lots going on for families. Is quite compact so easy to get around but due to its historic nature it feels like a town- no high rise buildings etc. is very safe and has good schools. For your budget you’d get a nice semi in Fulford, Heworth or bishopthorpe which all are great for families with very good schools.

Second vote for Northumberland.

It's glorious. Best beaches and stunning countryside. Rural but with Newcastle on the doorstep. Very friendly people.

And for that money you'd get a mansion lol.

I agree, Morpeth is a fabulous little town.

What's wrong with the Midlands? Lots of lovely places to live.

I’m not keen on the midlands so I wouldn’t want to live there

So nowhere at all in Shropshire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire or Herefordshire? That's an awful lot of beautiful countryside and historic cities being written off.

I live in Shrewsbury, which someone suggested upthread. It's an interesting and lively town but the transport links aren't great at present. If we can get a faster rail link to Birmingham (which has been promised), it will be something. The Cardiff-Manchester line will still be slow, though. Road links mostly have severe bottlenecks. For example, the M54 is fine but its eastern end joins the southbound M6, which is a permanent disaster (you can't get onto the northbound M6 without coming off the motorway for several miles through small towns on the A449). The A5/A483 to Wrexham/Chester is great but there's a very narrow section with 40 mph speed limits to the north-west of Shrewsbury. Getting on to the A49 to go south requires getting through the congested suburb of Bayston Hill.

Shrewsbury is a town and not a city! I agree though. It would be a gorgeous place to live.