Relocating up north - looking for recommendations!

[Relocationlady]

This is my first time using mumsnet so hope I’m posting this in the right way but I’m after some advice please!

My husband and I think we’d like to relocate up North (currently in Sussex) for better quality of life, house prices etc but all our family and friends are local to us now so we really don’t know where to start!

We have a 1 year old and would like to continue growing our family so somewhere suburban, family friendly with good schools, parks, nearby towns as well as green space would be ideal, bonus points if it’s within a reasonable driving distance from the beach.

Has anyone got any recommendations of nice areas we could research? Or has anyone ever done a move like this with new prior connections and might be able to share their experience/some tips etc?

thank you in advance!

York?

Bolton,
Barnsley,
Nelson,
Colne,
Burnley
Bradford,
Buxton,
Crewe,
Warrington,
Widnes,
Wigan,
Leeds,
Northwich,
Nantwich,
Knutsford,
Hull,
Sale,
Salford,
Southport,
Leigh,
Derby,
Kearsley
Keighley
Maghull,
Harrogate,
Huddersfield,
Oldham, Lancs,
Grimsby,
Glossop,
Hebden Bridge
🙂

If you actually mean north North then Hexham has everything you need. It's not cheap though.

I liked Leeds when we went recently. I’m not sure on house prices though.

“On a recent trip”

If you’re used to Sussex then it’s not even comparable.

Another vote for Lytham st Anne's. I moved back here to raise my child.

All schools are good schools, not much choice in way of high schools but enough to make a choice. Not far from cities, plenty to do, Lytham and St Annes have nice shops. Prom is lovely.

Don't think you'll get a 4 bed detached for £400k, though. I was doing my "if I won the lottery" scrolling on Rightmove recently and they were definitely over the half a mil

@Relocationlady Sorry if I've missed it but are there any job factors for either you or your partner? Can you both literally work anywhere?

Where does the North starts for you?

Hate to burst your bubble but life in 'The North' isn't necessarily cheaper. You certainly won't get a 4 bed detached in the sought after areas around here for 400K. We've bought for just under 400K but had to move further out of the city and more rurally for that.

Also is it a good idea to move away from family and friends to an area you know nothing about just because aka nit fr worker any specific reason? I’d be afraid you will find it hard and hard to fit in tbh.

That’s coming from my isn experience - I’ve moved A LOT in my life so have first hand experience iyswi

Central belt is a great place to be. Bridge of Allan or Stirling. Beautiful and scenic.

The Ribble valley- stunning.

Not really. I am in Scotland so "up north" to me would mean Scotland, if someone is relocating from Sussex.

amp.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/oct/23/ribble-valley-officially-the-yk-happiest-place

Has bugged me for years too. I can't stand it. Just say Northern England instead, is what always comes to mind. Because that's really what they mean!

Liverpool and Newcastle and their environs tick you boxes. Great cities with fine, historic suburbs, and nearby small towns. Both have great schools, community, and are close to your beaches.

Honestly? Don't do it. If you live near family and friends, have a good social circle and enjoy spending time with these people plus they offer potential childcare then really don't move away.

You will end up somewhere where you know no one. Don't get me wrong some people fit right in and make good connections. But it can take years to really feel you belong and build a new close and reliable social circle. Add in the fact that house prices in good areas are not cheap, I think you're looking at it through rose-tinted glasses. A quick search on RightMove where you think houses look cheap "up north" is a dangerous game.

From experience, personally, I wouldn't.

Harrogate is lovely

Urgh these posts annoy me so much!

Yes, PP, Harrogate is lovely but you'll get fuck all for £400k.

No, if you move "up north" you'll not automatically loose any financial advantage you have as property prices do actually go up here too, you know.

Nice areas of the North are pretty much the same as Sussex so it's not some utopia full of flat capped folk in their mansions they bought for a bag of chips and quick fumble with Nora Batty.

So many of the places people mention you're not going to get what you want for the money.

Skipton is lovely and you may just squeeze a 4 bed for your budget.

I’ve lived in a village outside Lincoln for nearly 10 years now. It’s nice, loads of green spaces. Have grammar school system if that’s your kind of thing. A bit sleepy so you’ll have to head elsewhere for cultural things. Transport links are not amazing though. Depends on what you do, job opportunities not amazing either.

We do head out to Peak District a bit for hikes (1.5 hours drive? Depends on which bit you’re going to) and it’s just over an hour to the beach. For £400k you can get a decent 4 bed detached in one of the villages.

@AlisonDonut Thanks for another perspective, it’s a huge decision and one that we don’t intend to rush and the points you’ve made about being away from our friends/family is scary, but our families aren’t big (our kid has 1 aunt and no cousins) and are mostly retired so visiting us wouldn’t be too much of an issue, we see them monthly at the moment so they don’t do childcare for us, it’s basically a toss up between the better lifestyle/house/cost of living/quality of life in a totally unfamiliar area or staying in our nice but very modest home here that we will quickly outgrow in order to stay close to friends/family even though we’re not that fussed about the location we’re actually in… hard to know what to do for the better, lots to consider

Ribble valley is nice - grew up there happily and great walks and pubs etc.
BUT I suggest you check out Lancaster. Ten mins to Morecambe beaches which is getting investment and hopefully an Eden project. It’s a proper normal seaside town and it’s grown on me tremendously. I swim in the sea most weeks but it’s an estuary type beach with the odd ‘cove’ to find if able! Lots of things for families in Lancaster, excellent theatre, cinemas, cafes, parks, good schools particularly primary. Walks on the moors are a ten minute drive away. 1 hr on train to Manchester for bigger city vibes, excellent motorway links - and close enough to spend many happy days exploring the Lake District. Downside if you’re into restaurants etc is I find it disappointing for the selection and quality of dining places…

We've moved from Sussex to Leeds and it's been great so far. Granted in posh areas prices aren't that different, but if you are willing to go slightly out then you get lots more for your money. Lots to do in the city, amazing countryside all around (an hour drive to Yorkshire Dales) and good train connections. We are taking the train 'down south' next week and it's pretty convenient and quick!

Following, we're hoping to move North (Durham etc) from Cornwall.