Where are the best places to live in Lancaster?

[benson76]

Hi,

We are relocating to Lancaster in July, it's all happened very suddenly and we need to decide where to live. My husband has a job at Lancaster Uni and we have 3 young kids and so we want to be pretty close to the university. And that is all I know!

Obvious choices seem to be either somewhere in the city - if anyone can give us advise on good / safe and nice looking areas I will be very grateful because I haven't managed to find anything much online so far. Or a nearby village, I've seen Galgate and Garstang but am not sure about either. Garstang looks lovely but we will be renting and I'm not sure how many options there will be for accommodation.

Anyway, any tips anyone can give me will be really appreciated.

Also my oldest will be starting school, so any advise there will also be gratefully received!

Thanks a million...

Have you looked around Carnforth (Bolton le Sands, Kelletts, Silverdale etc). Good primary schools and decent enough bus service into both Morecambe and Lancaster. Good range of secondary schools (easy to get to Lancaster, but also Dallam at Milnthorpe and QES at Kirkby Lonsdale put on loads of school buses). Better train service from Carnforth as there are direct trains to Preston, Manchester, to avoid changing at Lancaster if coming from Morecambe. Also, close to M6 junctions, both the Carnforth junction and easy to get to the Lancaster junction via the Beaumont roundabout for the By-Pass. Some really good housing that's not too pricey.

I'm surprised a private school hasn't sprung up yet tbh

There are a couple of private schools at (I think) Sedbergh and Casterton, and pretty sure that there's one or more private schools near Blackpool too. Thing is, they're not really needed as we have loads of "outstanding" primary schools already, along with "outstanding" secondary schools. Neither of the grammars are "super-selective" so have a fairly "normal" intake - 9 out of 30 pupils in my son's primary class got places at the grammars and we're not in a "rich/posh" area.

I'm used to living where there were several private preps and secondaries within a 5 mike radius, just a very different environment!!! Not about whether state school were good more about the snob value...

I agree the schools here get good Ofsted results I personally know a few schools where their SEN provision is diabolical

I agree re primary schools mainly being v good (and I met the MP and she says the same!). The only private provision is the Steiner school and that's for those who want something a bit more hippy/low key though.

Not all the secondary schools are outstanding by ANY means though.

Haha indeed. Plenty of B&Bs going

I know what you mean about schools. Morecambe and Lancaster already have large primaries on (predominantly) older sites with limited room for expansion. In addition two of the secondaries can’t get larger by law, and several of the others are already enormous.

I think it’s interesting that Skirton school has been Mothballed - rather than replaced with housing - perhaps there is a plan? Perhaps not! We shall see...

I think it's good it got mothballed, perhaps it dawned on them that in 10 years time it would be desperately needed! Happened where we were living, one previously shut secondary reopened and another brand new one being built...

Not to mention infant schools the LEA tried to shut to sell land off are now primary schools!!!

In addition two of the secondaries can’t get larger by law, and several of the others are already enormous.

Which two are those?

I assume the grammars?

Ripley needs to shrink it has too many pupils for the site IMHO!

I assume the grammars?

Can't be as both of those are growing. LGGS increased its intake last year, LRGS this year, and the LRGS sixth form is growing too. So for the next 5 years, both will be growing by 1 class per year, or at least 150 pupils overall + however many extra their sixth forms will take.

Oh! I assumed the grammars couldn’t get any bigger as they'd need more space and would have to buy land! Must have found a spare corner for a new building - my bad!

Yes, Ripley is too big. I also don’t like it’s “selection by means” intake (see also QES!) but, I can see that lots of parents like both.

Oh! I assumed the grammars couldn’t get any bigger as they'd need more space and would have to buy land! Must have found a spare corner for a new building - my bad!

LRGS is slowly bringing it's original (oldest) building back into use, large parts of which were left virtually derelict for quite a while due to leaking roof etc.

Ahhh that makes sense Kazzy!

Be careful spouting untruths such as being in the catchment area for Ripley and the grammar schools - you don't get places at those schools in that way!!!

Grammar = passing 11+, Ripley is based on church points and very few places go to children with zero points.

Hi guys, we are a medical couple considering a move to Lancaster. Hubster will be working in the Blackburn region and I will be at the hospital and Lancaster university. Which places would be good for us to live with 2 smallies one of who also needs to start primary school next year? Recommendations on good primary schools, children's activities etc will be most gratefully received. We are looking to rent. Thanks x

Personally I would look at South of the Hospital assuming your DH will drive to Blackburn?

Moorside, Bowerham and St Paul's schools are all good so far as I know certainly worth visiting.

You may want to look at childcare options as it may influence you as well. Can't see you getting a place at Lancaster University nursery as there is a waiting list.

Thanks RandomMess. When you say South of the hospital, will you kindly name a few areas as our knowledge of Lancaster is zilch. Ta in advance.

Literally just look at google map!

There are 2 main roads - A6 which is mainly Scotforth, then Bowerham Road - mainly Bowerham!

They aren't huge areas tbh. What budget do you have and to but what size house? Haverbreaks is off the 3rd road if that's your price bracket it's lovely.

Glasson Dock has a great, very small, primary school with before and after school clubs and is really convenient for both the hospital and uni. Conder Green, thurnham and Cockerham are the same, although Cockerham is slightly further away.

Location wise Scotforth area would be between the uni and hospital, but Galgate would give your husband a head start towards the motorway to Blackburn. Are you local enough to have a drive round and get a feel for the areas? Make some appointments to go and look at schools maybe? Is it this September coming for school or 2020?

I don’t really want to start a new thread because the older posts may still be relevant. We are also wanting to move to Lancaster and would like any information about the area around the Dallas Road.Park. Many thanks.

How big is your family/what ages and what's your work situation?
It's a nice area but it is quite small, you have older houses near the school which can be v pricey or newer (well, 70s!) on Abraham Heights.