Where to move North England (maybe West)

[ThePerkyPlayer]

Hello, just a quick question is there anywhere that you'll recommend to live in-North England. We are looking for a nice area but also for some diversity as we are a mixed race family I'm thinking south Manchester but it's also quite pricey

I would say that the Ribble Valley is not really diverse if braiders etc are a consideration. There is a large Asian community ( mainly Pakistani ) but so not so many Black / other groups. It’s beautiful but having grown up there - there are some racial tensions so perhaps is not what you are looking for …

It’s not at all diverse in the Ribble Valley, although nearby areas in Lancashire are. The population is getting bigger (think it might be about 65k now!) but it’s also getting older and less diverse.

Less than 0.2% of people here are black. Thats about 130 people. There isn’t really a large Pakistani community here - only about 2%, so about 1300 people. More than 96% white.

I saw a Facebook post today showing someone’s braiding done locally. It was very badly done. Maybe be able to get better in Blackburn or Preston, but there are good links to Manchester and you can get to Leeds via Skipton or Burnley.

You can expect to pay up to 50% more for housing in the Ribble Valley compared to nearby Lancashire towns. Rent is expensive and there are lots of people applying for each property.

It is a very nice place to live though, excellent schools, nice places to go out, castles, and there is always something going on at weekends. Having lived in Leeds and Manchester too it’s nicer here. Love it here.

Yeah I wouldn’t go out of the bigger city areas for what you’re looking for. The towns in lancs are diverse but more south Asian and some south-east Asian but not especially integrated.

Hi op. I live in South Manchester. Your budget is fine. There'll be houses in this range.

We live in Rossendale and it's beautiful! Look at Rawtenstall and Helmshore

I love a lot about that area, but it's not got a black community, hair braiders etc., has it? It's very white with some asians, so not really what the OP is looking for.

South Manchester sounds like a good option for you. It’s expensive but lovely and ticks your boxes. I am less familiar with specific areas of Leeds and Sheffield, but think you would also do well there, maybe particularly Sheffield. Ribble Valley is not diverse.

I would look at Old Trafford, Whalley Range and Stretford (on the Chorlton boarders but not in Chorlton which isn't that great for what you get) more bang for your buck and some great community stuff happening esp in Stretford. I've mates who live there and love it.

Lancashire just voted in Reform for county council (though not their MP who was lib dem) it can be a bit local town for local folk.

Should say my friends are black. There are lots of hairdressers that can do braids etc within a couple of miles for all of those areas.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/map.html?locationIdentifier=REGION%5E23588&numberOfPropertiesPerPage=499&propertyTypes=&viewType=MAP&mustHave=&dontShow=&furnishTypes=&viewport=-2.30179%2C-2.29329%2C53.4405%2C53.4493&keywords=

Warrington is becoming more diverse but I say it's massively white tbh. It's not somewhere I'd categorise as diverse. It depends on which part of the town you go to as to where is friendly and where isnt so much. Some places are white but welcoming - you need to know the area.

South Manchester / Cheshire is lovely. You get what you pay for!

Preston is very diverse with a lot of schools and the local uni.

Sorry, I'm from the Old Trafford / Stretford / Whalley Range borders and I think they're a bit of a dump now.

Have a look at Chortonville or Didsbury, West, Village or East. As I said elsewhere in the thread, you get what you pay for.

OP, please don't look at North or East Manchester; they are very white areas. If you want your hair doing, somewhere within easy access of Old Trafford or Moss Side would be good.

I guess it depends what you like! We are moving to Stretford and have loads of mates there. It's not got the flsshy itself vibe of Didsbury (and the slightly Cheshire setness) or the divide between new chorlton/old Chorlton.

I think Ribble valley is the opposite of diverse. If you like the area maybe nice areas around Preston may be better? But for your budget and what your looking for I would go for South Manchester or a nice suburb of Liverpool.

Thank you

Thank you for letting me know, I'll look into Warrington/South Manchester area

Thank you I'm looking towards there

Bury and Ramsbottom are both lovely

South Liverpool we have a thriving multicultural community with so many shops and services such as you mentioned xx

Most of the more diverse areas are dumps nowadays. I’d stick to Motson area if you want to avoid racism, whether overt or otherwise.

Thank you

I'm thinking around there maybe parts just outside Altrincham, knutsford etc do you have any other towns to recommend!