Moving with Beeb relocation to Salford quays... Anyone else?

[topsmart]

Okay, here goes, I am initiating my first proper thread.

DP's job is moving from london to salford quays next year. We finally have a move date of march 2011 (after signing up in sept 2010...) So it's all suddenly real and I have to shift our lives and get a nursery then school for DD who turns 5 next academic yr.

MN has proved invaluable for my manc research on areas to look at, so I wanted to thank anyone who's given anyone else advice on here as I have poached it all!

Now I'm wondering who else might be moving up as I'm sure some of you must be - or already have done. And I need heartwarming tales of how easy it has been to settle in. Or how much you need a new friend to go for a large glass of wine with!

Lots of useful info here. Thanks to all who have posted info about various places/roads, it is all incredibly useful.

I almost had a weep on the phone to the LEA yesterday, no particular reason, but I think the enormity of this whole move suddenly hit me. Luckily, brave girl that I am (not!), I held it together, just. The LEA in Trafford have been very nice and helpful, and even sympathetic. So far all the schools I've called them about have waiting lists. It will just be a question of luck when we move.

Fenner, you're right, I need to consider the school stuff as helping me focus rather than making me weepconfusing me even more.

Fenner, my DD is 3.2 so mercifully do not have to try and find her a place now; we will go through the normal school admissions process next year. I will have a look around at nurseries when we get up there; but am in no hurry as DD is a very quiet, shy girl and she's not ready yet to go to nursery.

I too have read Fox's fabulous thread - several times in fact! I go back to it every time I need more info about places.

Perhaps we should set up a new 'free school' for all BBC children who may well be school-less up there...I'm sure we'd all have the expertise between us...

Mummyisamonster - have PM'd you

TTWT, that's brilliant that you've got the freedom to rent and find a base from which to explore the area. May I smugly humbly point out that M33 has a fairly decent range of 2 and 3 bed properties to rent on rightmove for under £700pcm. Dearer than others places but the tram is a very convenient way to explore other parts of Trafford, and South Manchester. Or Stockport areas with good cafes (B'hall, CH) if you don't mind taking the train.

Great toddler group as well.

OK, I'll stop plugging Sale now!

MIAM, sorry to hear the whole process is getting you down. Judging by Fox's experience in constrast to others who put their eggs all in one basket by hedging their bets on one school, as long as you choose an area with a few good schools to choose from, I'm sure you'll be fine! Still, though, it must be stressful.

I v much doubt we'll end up getting a place for DD at either of the ones I liked (kings rd & seymour park), as sooooo oversubscribed and we don't think Trafford will shift us up the waiting list when we move. Probably manley park more likely: tell me now if this is a hideous option!

I have friends who are really happy with Manley Pk and Seymour Pk. Seymour Pk is popular but has a huge intake and a very mobile population so that could work in your favour. It has a lovely feel to it, a beautiful setting and the children and parents seem to really enjoy the school, although I have only been there on open days/ fairs so a self selecting crowd.

The main problem with schools around here is that there are so many Church schools that the schools end up very very segragated on race and (obv) religion lines which can be disconcerting. Really important to look round and get a feel (again, obv!). The most popular / hyped school in the area is probably St Hildas but they have just had an average OFSTED, so could change. Anyway, they offer 25% reception intake on a lottery so worth a go (rest to siblings, church goers and practicing members of other faiths).

If anyone is looking at Our Ladys, check out St Teresas in Firswood too.

Also, Oswald Road in Chorlton is very close to the Trafford Borders and popular with parents (they get quite evangelical!).

And on the free school front:

sites.google.com/site/manchestermontessorischool/

Sorry - first paragraph in the above msg was meant to be a quote - very confusing otherwise

Thought I recognised the first bit them realised you were quoting me! Thanks for this beehive, v helpful. Good to know the ones we've chosen are alright!
Am going to focus on renting somewhere to live and then get I plan to get stressed about schools in march. I like to box up my worries into manageable packages!

MIAM - there are worse things to do than cry at the LEA!
TTWT - I PM'd you. Did you get it? No pressure, just an invite.
Anyone else for FB is very welcome!

Fenner - thanks, that's really helpful. Am quickly discovering that in some parts of Trafford, there is a fairly limited range of rental houses that wouldn't require us to eat beans on toast every month to afford! £700 around Sale would suit us well, will have a look. I am too scared to buy a house. Am nomadic by nature (expat NZer) and buying a house would force me to settle down just a bit too much (having a baby didn't bother me at all, but the thought of buying a house completely freaks me out!)

Ohforfoxsake - have replied, thank you.

TTWT - I know exactly what you mean! We'd be renting if it were up to me. I look at the cracks and dodgy window panes in our house and think "Oh &%$£, what the hell I supposed to do about that?!" (A bit like that guy on the Relocation episode but not as precious.)

I'm an expat, too (Canadian). I've found people in Manchester and the surrounding areas to be really open and friendly, in general at any rate. When I go back to Toronto I'm always surprised by how non-chatty people are, but I suppose that's the norm really and it's just people here who'll strike up conversations with strangers.

Anyway, if you take an interest in anything in M33 feel free to PM me about streets, nurseries, etc. It seems to me that when it comes to renting money doesn't go much (if at all) further in M16, M21 or M22 because you're paying a premium for proximity to the city centre...which is a bit of a waste if DP is commuting to Salford Quays.

fenner I used to look at my newborn and think things like that

The friendliness of local people is really important to us. I actively try to get my DD talking and socialising with as many people as possible and open, chatty locals make all the difference. Last time we lived north (in Lancs), it used to take ages to walk down the street as we would converse with everyone passed on the way (not quite the same where we are currently, in Surrey!)

I may well take you up on your offer and start quizzing you about M33, thanks. Am starting to irrationally worry that we won't find anywhere to rent, or will end up in a not-very-brilliant area.

BeehiveBaby - thanks for the information about schools. We are a non-religious family so feel that makes things just a little bit more difficult as we get bumped way down the admissions criteria lists.

Thanks all for you kind words, I'm ok - really! - just had a weepy moment but am feeling positive and excited now and just keen to get shifting!

Great to hear from those of you already in Manchester that it's friendly, that's one of my big 'wants' in moving.

And the info about schools is so useful.

TTWT - ta x

Fenner and I had a meet-up today - over a bacon & egg barm and brew. That's how we do things up here. You can keep your double-mocha-decaff-ameretti-lattes!

Lovely she is. And you'll all be joining us soon. We'll take you to 'The Caff'.

Especially the decaff part - yuck!

Foxy ain't too bad herself.

Everyone still on track with the moving plans? How much longer to go?

We're getting there, the ETA is late July after we finish school here. I'm starting to feel calmer as we've decided on our area and price-range, and have stopped lusting after houses that are really just out of our reach, especially if we still want holidays!

Well done smallerclanger, that's half the battle I reckon.
We're hovering over our rental agreement just in case we get an offer on our flat this week... If nothing by Monday then we'll sign in blood and move up first week of march.

What's a barm?
And am hooked to an IV drip which delivers decaff latte round the clock. Bugger!

Send me a bit of your calm if you have some spare, SmallerClanger! Am at the annoying stage where it feels like we are moving soon (seven weeks) but it's still a bit too early to do much of the important stuff (like find a rental up there).

I have no idea what a barm is. The first time I travelled to the far north of England it felt so different from London that I wondered if I should be using a different currency. Definitely will be using a different language!

A 'barm' is a 'barm cake' but it isn't a cake at all - rather a large bread roll, preferably filled with something greasy and delicious (as today's was).

Congrats Smallerclanger - agree with Topsmart, that's one battle won.

So Topsmart, if you get an offer does that mean the house you want is back in the running...? Fingers crossed for you!

I just hope the calm will last. I finish work next week, voluntary redundancy, that's when it will start to feel real and the panic will set in again. Will look forward to a barm and brew to settle the nerves.

BTW we were students in Newcastle, and Geordies call their large bread rolls 'stotties'!

Ooh, a barm cake, delish. I was a student in Preston and I lived on them. Particularly lovley with bacon in....

Good to hear from everyone that things are progressing well. Congrats smallclanger on deciding on an area & budget!

my update: Our house is about to go on the market having been de-cluttered and repainted to within an inch of it's life. We're looking in Manc over half term to finally decide on an area. Once we've done that it'll feel a bit more in control, and real to me, I think (I hope!)

I'm signing up with job agencies, all of whom are hopeful I will have something to move up to job-wise.

I've stopped stressing. Or I'm trying to. It will work out. There will be hicuups, I know I will cry copious amounts but I know it's be fine. And the school thing will work out too.

But I tell you, a bit of a repaint and a (MASSIVE)de-clutter and our house is lovely!

MIAM - Whereabouts are you looking over half term?

There's a Trafford Netmums meet up at Stretford Surestart on the 14th, though I'm guessing DP might not appreciate being dragged along to that!

I had a look at NM for meet-ups but I got the impression it was mums with babies (which would make me feel very, very old )- is that not the case Fenner? Are you going?

Well done MIAM! You've got cracking on your house far quicker than we did. Took an age to declutter and it still looks cluttered. Perhaps that's why we've no buyers... hmmm... Fox, we dunno what to think - don't want to think about the lovely manc house too much as I can't believe we'll sell in time. But this would be our last hope to not rent I think!

ps Thentherewerethree, I feel your pain. It's rotten being in limbo. Now is the time to make a list of cool stuff to do when you move, and to see all your friends!
We're off to babylovesdisco with a load of mates this weekend, whoop whoop. And they have that in manchester too... now there's a mumsnet meetup

Hey Foxy, I think the one at the Trafford Centre is for mums with babies, but the one at the Surestart is for mums with under 5's (and maybe beyond, not sure). Here's what I found on the website:

NETMUMS OFFICIAL MEETUPS TRAFFORD

MONDAY 14TH FEB at 10.30am
Stretford Sure Start Centre, Poplar Road.
Another Netmums meetup - this is suitable for children of all ages due to the fantastic playgroup facilities. No cost!!

I'm thinking about it. PM if you're around then and fancy going.