Relocating dilema; Wirral V Sheffield...

[Spring71]

Hello....DH and I are considering relocating to the Wirral from Sheffield with our 2 DD's aged 9yrs and 6yrs old. I grew up in Wallasey and still have family there but moved away 20 years ago and feel very out of touch with the area. We are looking to move to West Wirral i.e. Meols, Westkirkby, Hoylake, Irby etc but are undecided where? We want an area with families, children, good schools and ultimately people that are warm and freindly.
Our main concern is for our DD's; Will they settle in to Wirral life as Sheffield is such a big city with lots going on? Leaving their freinds and making new ones? Starting a new school at the ages they are?
We feel that if we don't move now then we never will. DH is from Sheffield and likes it here but is happy to move. I've always loved Sheffield but have always felt that something is missing and therefore been unsettled. I'm hoping that by moving back to nearer my roots and family that this will go.
Has anyone else ever been in a situation such as this and who can offer advice please? Thanks.x

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I haven't been in the same situation as you but I live on the Wirral and my partner is originally from sheffield. According to him he loves raising his children here! All the areas that you mentioned are really nice places and the majority of primary schools in your proposed locality are of an excellent standard. Also you have the option of grammar or state secondary further along the line. Caldy and Heswall are also other nice places that you may want to consider. The things I love about the Wirral is how you can be literally 20 mins away in any direction from either beaches, country parks, or fab shopping at Chester, Cheshire Oaks designer outlet and not forgetting the rather fab Liverpool One redevelopment. We even have our very own michelin star restaurant in Oxton now! Most people are very friendly too. There is a lot of proposed redevelopment of the dockland areas that has just passed lengthy planning permission a 300 million, 30 year project similar to Canary Warf.

I feel the same as you spring71! I have lived in portsmouth for 16 years but am from herefordshire originally. I have never felt that Portsmouth is my home and DH doesn't like it either but we were stuck here as he was in Navy. We have DS who is 7 and due to move to junior school this September and dd who is 1. I am worried too that if we don't do it soon we never will and the more disruptive it will be to ds's education. Its a tough one isn't it?
Dh may have to relocate and his new job will be in ellesmere port but I don't think thats a nice area so am looking at some of the areas you mention but don't think they are in our price range of max £110k for a 3 bed!
I think its easy to be nostalgic and think that moving by family will be ideal which it may be in some ways but also have its problems too. Have you been back recently?
Just to say I know how you feel really and I understand what a massive decision it is! x