Moving to Trafford

[Elab50]

Hi all! This is the first time I've ever posted on mumsnet but after some advice! We're moving up from London and have been looking at altrincham/timperley.. can anyone please advise on what these areas are like to live in? We do have small children so schools important but we're also after a good balance between plenty going on and countryside near by! I'm nervous we'll miss London so looking for some reassurance I guess too from anyone who has made the move as I know a few have!
Thanks in advance

Hi I live in altrincham and I really like it. I have 4dc one at secondary, one at primary, one at preschool and one at nursery (part time). We live really close to Dunham Massey which is lovely. The majority of schools are great bit as you probably know are quite oversubscribed. There is a really great market area in altrincham now with a food market hall which has lots of little places you can but really good food in also a nice bar in it its really popular for a night out. It's quite quirky and funky live music sometimes.
Do you have budget in mind? Altrincham is not cheap!! And a lot of the property at the lower end of the market gets snapped up quickly with a lot going to sealed bids (especially period properties)

Can't really think of anything else but happy to answers any questions if I can

Sorry should have said not moved from London but lots of my friends have, it's not far from Manchester City centre so if you need a city fix its easily done.

Ah thanks so much for replying! Yes I've been reading about schools today... sure that will be a stress in itself! My ds will be starting in 2018 hence moving this year to get there in time for applications. I lived in Altrincham briefly years ago when it went through a very run down phase and I almost didn't recognise it when I visited recently.
Budget will be about £450k max we think.. we really want 4 bed if we can but would be happy with 3 good sized bedrooms. We looked at Timperley but I don't know it at all there although probably more in budget.
Is there a nice community spirit? I won't know anyone and will have a born and bred London husband in tow so hoping we can make friends easily!

Both Timperley and Altrincham are lovely, my DC's also go to school in Timperley and Trafford is well known for being full of good schools and plenty of grammar if you would be thinking of that for the future.

The schools are often oversubscribed so it would definitely be worth narrowing some choices down before settling on an area. It would be a shame to do such a big move then find you can't get into the school of your choice!

Yes but you have to get yourself out there a bit. My friend who moved from London and has lived in quite a few places said she never lived anywhere with so much to do for kids. I've done a couple of toddler groups and have lots of friends through those and also from school there are mums nights out and things.
Have a nosey on rightmove you should be fine with your budget you will get more for your money in timperley, I've never lived there but it's certainly not horrible. Park road academy is one of the best schools (in terms of results) and is in Timperley.

I would try and come up for a day or two and have a good look round, go to Hale it's nice for a night out or lunch/coffee but you wouldn't get that much for your budget so maybe better for socialising, the market area as I mentioned in altrincham is worth a look, and if your not familiar with Manchester have look and see if it would give you the city fix you need.

Because of the really good schools there are loads of families so you shouldn't have a problem making new friends.

Thanks again, thats really helpful. Im definitely up for getting out there and making new friends and if plenty to do should make it a bit easier!
Yes we're coming up minus kids for a day in the next couple of weeks so we can have a good walk round then again all of us in March. Want to start getting excited now but it's just all so nerve wracking!

I can imagine!! But it is a nice area to live and it is very friendly as there are so many families with young kids. One more thing to think about (and then I will shut up!) nurseries and pre schools are busy and have waiting lists so try and arrange a place/get on a list asap.

Ah yes of course, I hadn't actually thought of that! Thank you!

I think you'll find your budget tight but its do-able. Lots of people locally (including me) have made the move from London to Manchester so its really easy to make friends - lots of people without family close by - especially through nursery / toddler groups / school.

Schools are oversubscribed so think carefully about catchments. If you're considering renting, check the Trafford Admissions Policy - we had to have at least a 12 month tenancy (rather than a 6 month one) for it to be considered our permanent address. Things may have changed. If you're buying, things go really quickly and often go to sealed bids so be prepared to act quickly.

Thanks mandy, yes catchment areas something we're very conscious of. I should think our budget would get us something in timperley rather than altrincham itself would you say? Glad you found the move up went well!