Anyone live in or near Barrow- in-Furness?

[janeybops]

Just wondered what it was like? May be moving there so thought I'd ask your opinion.

Message withdrawn

it's not as bad as Whitehaven, but is not known to be one of the nicer parts of Cumbria to live. Having said that the nicer parts are way too expensive!

Message withdrawn

gee thanks giraffeski

Message withdrawn

Janeybops - CAT me if you want to know more. It's an interesting place, and not everyone's cup of tea, but I love it here.

Pros
People are very friendly and welcoming
Everything is very cheap - cheap shops, eating out and takeaways (and houses), taxis, theatre are cheap
There are some fantastic primary schools here
Climate - it's very mild and surprisingly dry (for Cumbria)
Location - beaches, lakes and mountains within easy reach; plus good rail connections to Manchester and beyond
Very low crime rate (There are some drugs problems here, but IMO less than other towns of similar size)
There's loads of government funding, which means loads of Arts stuff going on, LOADS for pre-schoolers (through Sure Start), and all sorts of different initiatives

Cons
Unemployment and deprivation levels are very high - I've never known anything like it
Very high teenage pregnancy levels and all sorts of other deprivation-related problems
Many people have large extended families nearby, with whom them spend much of their weekends and holidays, so making close friends can be hard
Secondary schools are poor
Very provincial attitudes; giraffeski's nasty racist bigot is unfortunately not a rare type here
Very mono-cultural

Why the possible move?

you could wave to me across morecambe bay!

i quite like barrow but its not very close to a motorway if you are thinking of commuting.

housing is extremely cheap tho, was drooling over a 5 bed victorian terrace the other day £68,000

Message withdrawn

Me!
Walney though-thats differnt!

houses are cheap compared to the south but they are still going up. I recommend Walney!
Surestart is good especially town centre one.
Agree about road links and from next year bay will be shut for trains(will be buses on for the summer) so if commuting is planned remember it is not that convenient.

Roisin where abouts are you?
Also if you just want this area a lot of people are moving out further to Dalton(still fairly cheap) and Ulverston(more expensive though)

Hiya Nikkie - I was on Walney today - it was glorious. Til we got drenched in the rain

We're just off the Abbey Road near the park (in the posh bit) LOL!

How old are your children?

3(4 in 2 weeks) and 5.yours?
This is the first time I have found someone online that lives in Barrow noone usually has heard of it!

Me too!

My boys are 6 and 8. If you'd like to then CAT me; I'd be interested to know which school they go to, etc. Maybe we could meet up for a coffee or something sometime?

I work in a secondary school, so back to work tomorrow

well there is talk of my dh's job moving to Barrow. He was told Ulverston was a nice place to live. Looks like it might not be for a few months yet. I have never been there or anywhere evn near there. He went to Barrow last week for the first time and was impressed with how friendly everyone was. Also commented on the lack of employment too.
My main worry is getting to make friends as I know absolutely no one even remotely near to North West of England.

I work in Ulverston and it is traditionAL market town , still a bit hippish but nice, more expensive than Barrow /Walney /Dalton though that depends on where you are coming from.

I live near Newby Bridge - Ulverston is quite handy for us - it nice. They have a great Victorian weekend in November.

coming from London. Looked on internet tonight and get an enormous place for what we have sold our bog standard semi for here.

main sites are Hackney Leigh and Poole Townsend

thanks will take a look

Spent a year living near Newby Bridge JT - can't believe you're near there! Was in Finsthwaite - just a mile down the road. I'll bet you know the house I lived in!
Janey - I'd definitely prefer Ulverston over Barrow - Barrow always felt very far out from anywhere. I wouldn't choose to live there, but the people are very friendly. It would be very easy to live in Ulverston and work in Barrow though and I'm sure you'll get more house for your money in Ulverston if you're moving from London.

Finsthwaite is lovely - I'm in Backbarrow

well there is proof here already that everyone is friendly - thanks for all your help. off to bed now will check this in the morning.

Where the hotel is.........family I lived with used their facilities - v nice.