Might be moving to cumbria - honest thoughts of Whitehaven and surounding areas

[2lilladies]

Hi ladies my OH has an interview in Whitehaven and i would like honest opinions regarding the area and surrounding areas. We have 2 girls under 3 any information will help. Were currently living in Oldbury, West Midlands and this would be a huge move for us. Thanks in advance, Terri.

Hi, how exciting for you to be considering a move! Unfortunately I can't help with that particular area as I am only familiar with the South Lakes area so far. But I know how scary it is to move somewhere completely new and want as much info as possible!

I hope you get to speak with people from the Whitehaven area as local knowledge really does help.

Good luck

That coastal area is very different from .. well, anywhere really. It has had big problems with employment and general lack of prosperity, but there is said to be good community spirit. You absolutely must go there for a good look round before deciding.

As my user name says, I'm not originally from Cumbria so will hopefullynbe able to give you a good insight to Whitehaven. I worked there for 3 years and pretty much saw all aspects of the town. Personally, I like it, although a little clicky its a nice small town with a cracking harbour, good pubs and restaurants and some fantastic coastal walks. There are a few estates to stay clear of but to be honest even those are OK. You will have experienced A LOT worse in the west Midlands. I don't live in Whitehaven although my in laws do and they love it. I live cockermouth way which is slightly better and a bit more peaceful.

Close to Whitehaven you have seascale, St bees, gosforth, these are fantastic places to live although property is a little on the expensive side.

Would I live in Whitehaven ? I have a 1 and 5 year old and the answer would be definitely yess but do some homework on where to buy. The surrounding villages and towns are decent and maybe a better bet but some, there aren't many mind you ,I would give a wide berth to also.

The way of life is sooooo much different up here than a bustling city further down south and really does take a while to get used to.

I have quite a good knowledge of most areas from millom to Carlisle due to my job so if you need anything further give me a shout and I'll send you my email address

Hi. My dh applied for a job in Whitehaven and we went to have a look around a couple of weeks before the interview. As a result of our look around, he pulled out of the interview.

Admittedly it probably didn't help that it was January and grim weather, but we found the area very run down and depressed-looking. Liked St Bees, but that was it. We drove around a lot, but didn't see anywhere that we'd have fancied buying a house.

We now live in Cumbria but further south, near the Lancashire border. Totally different area. Love it here.

Thank you for all your replies were staying in St Bees this weekend and his interview is Monday anyway so we'll soon find out what's it's like fingerscrossed we like somewhere to buy a house.

I'm another south Cumbrian , don't know the west coast well but be aware of transport links A roads aren't all what they look on a map!

Don't know the west coast well (south Cumbrian) but check out travel routes as A roads aren't what they seem on a map !

Sorry first one didn't show ??

Thanks for the advice made it to St Bees. Any nice areas to look for house not too expensive and names of places we should avoid. Thanks

You might want to avoid Sellafield, unless that's where the job is.

So what did you decide, OP ?

Hi, useful information above, I too am looking into moving to Whitehaven from Essex. Have done some research but yet to visit in May and July. Although I understand employment can be an issue this isn't for us as Hubby works a lot that way as an engineer and I'm a Paramedic in talks that I would not have a problem being taken on in the North West area which is great. Our main worry is buying a house in the wrong neighbourhood, can anyone please tell us for our visit where the best and worst neighbourhoods are in Whitehaven so we know where to start or avoid our searches. We are looking for a real community/rural feel away from the hustle and bustle of busy town life, thank you and look forward to your comments

Lived here all my life

...so any pointers on best and worse areas???

im looking at a cottage in low kells to buy which overlooks the sea. do you know anything about that area and what is weather like in winter? at the moment i live on the east coast

There’s a LOT of rain in winter. More than on the east coast. I’ve lived in W Cumbria for 4 years and previously have lived in the North East, Scotland, Southwest and in Buckinghamshire. This place isn’t really working for me and I want to move. The scenery is lovely, but it’s the only place I’ve ever lived where I’ve found it almost impossible to make friends, despite making quite a bit of effort. With a few exceptions, people seem insular and clannish. Also, there’s very little going on socially. Anyone reading this who grew up in the area would probably disagree, but this is my experience as an in-comer. It feels as though the place is stuck in a time warp. Everywhere else I have lived, I have found folk friendly and approachable, but here I have really struggled. I personally wouldn’t recommend it. Having said that, I do have a nice neighbour.
Also, there are no decent jobs and the healthcare/hospitals aren’t very good as compared with other areas. Housing is cheap here for a reason. Four years in, I feel homesick my old area and wish I could move back there.

We're moving to Carlisle. Can anyone please tell me the areas to avoid. It's a big move and I'm quite nervous.
My hubby has a job to go to there so employment isn't a problem.
We're both in our 50s and looking for a bungalow.
TIA
Paula

Hi Paula, I'd start a new thread about this if I were you, as this thread is quite old! As for Carlisle, it depends whereabouts you want to be really.

Hi,
We may move to Whitehaven but I don’t know the area at all. Any advice would be appreciated. Is Headlands Drive a good area to live? Thanks!

Marosc, as the previous poster advises you'd do better to start a new thread to get current advice.

Whats millom like for a family to live?, we are relocating as our landlord is selling our home.
I'm panicking now as we could only have 2 months to find a place and I want somewhere near the coast but only a couple of hrs from manchester.
Is this a friendly area? For kids?

VintageGill, are you still in Cumbria?
I'm here from the Midlands and struggling.

Hi we move to south lakes next week, aww sorry to hear, hows it been for you?

We've been here almost 4 years now and know just about no one. Now have a 2 year old and of course lockdown hasn't helped getting her out. Having someone to turn to would nice but they sure dont make it easy round here.