Moving to the north west

[Honeymum]

Apologies for cross-posting. This is on the "Chat" forum too.

DH has a new job in the Burnley area. We are based in Notts at the moment but are from Wigan and Warrington originally. We're thinking of Bury/Ramsbottom or perhaps Chorley/Leyland to base ourselves when we move. Or maybe Monton (nr Eccles) where we have some friends/family. The DD's will be in Year 1 and reception in September but we'd prefer not to move again so we need somewhere with good secondaries too. Oh, and catholic school could be an option as they are both baptised but we're not really practising. Any thoughts on where might be nicest to live?!?!

I grew up in that part of the world, and went to school in Bury. I don't know Chorley/Leyland at all, I'm afraid, and Eccles I've only driven through. Bury and Ramsbottom are nice (for the most part), with very good primary and secondary schools (state and private). Prices have rocketed there in recent years.
We looked at moving back there a couple of years ago, and would have gone gone for Bury, Ramsbottom, or the surrounding villages, but couldn't make it feasible with dh's work.
I don't think I'd want to live in Burnley (no offence to any Burnley MNers).

Thanks for that. I wonder if you have a view on whether Ramsbottom is a bit isolated? I am used to city life (I can walk into the city centre here in 20 mins!) and am worried that I might feel a bit cut off up there. How easy is it to get into Manchester? Agree about Schools - they do seem v.good. Thanks

Hi, Honeymum - I'm in Clitheroe so not that far from Burnley - you could look at southern Ribble Valley villages like Simonstone and Read, which have good village schools and are in the catchment for Clitheroe secondary schools.

There is one, very good, Catholic primary in Clitheroe and a fantastic over-subscribedCatholic comp at Billington called St Augustines.

Ribble Valley is a lovely place to live (houses a bit dearer than other Lancs areas but not too bad).

Ramsbottom is quite a bustling little town these days, since the opening of the railway (tourist thing really). It used to be very quiet and dull indeed. There are quite a few cafes, restaurants, and quirky little shops.

The next village along, Edenfield, has some nice houses, but that is quite isolated.

Probably takes 20-30 mins to get from Bury to Manchester (driving), slightly longer by tram. Ramsbottom would be another 15 minutes drive, but a very long bus ride to Manchester.

Muffin - thanks for that. Could you tell me which other parts of Bury are "nice".
Ta

Wendy
I had thought of the Ribble Valley too. Could you tell me which villages it would include? Some of DH's family live in that neck of the woods. The distance from Mcr puts me off a bit. I am too used to city life!!

In Bury the 'nicer' areas, IMHO, are Holcombe, Walmersley, Summerseat (to the north), areas going towards Bolton (which itself is a lovely town) such as Tottington. The area to the south (Radcliffe, Prestwich, Whitefield - all big Jewish areas, so I don't know about Catholic schools) was considered the 'posh' bit when I was at school (it was where all the girls whose parents drove flashy cars lived), but it all seems a bit shabby these days. Matter of taste, I suppose.

The north has more charm and character. The south is better for quick travel into Manchester. The north is better for access to Burnley.

The less nice bit is to the east, going towards Heywood and Rochdale, areas such as Fairfield. I grew up over that way and wouldn't recommend it.

I guess it depends on how much travelling your DH is prepared to do to go to work but I live in Blackburn (the next town from Burnley) and would also recommend the Ribble Valley - places such as Clitheroe, Whalley, Langho and as mentioned before, Simonstone and Read are all nice areas.

Some nice areas round Bolton aswell but that would mean a bit of travelling for your DH but you would be nearer Manchester

Guess it all depends on your price range as these places I hav ementioned are considered to be 'posh' up here and expensive but maybe not to a 'southerner' like you

we live in Preston
got a fab primary rc school and just looking into high schools

some of my family are from Bury ( Summerseat) They went to a fab catholic school ( St Gabriels?) and i think there are proper old grammar schools there

Read and Simonstone are about 15 mins nearer Manc (and Burnley) than Clitheroe, which is a significant amount - it takes bloody ages to get anywhere from Clitheroe!

There are just those 2 really - further E you hit Padiham (Burnley LEA) and S you're into Hyndburn. Ribble Valley schools are much better all round.

Oh, you could also consider Sabden - there is a RC primary there - but you have to climb a large hill up a narrow road to get out of it towards Manc & Burnley, plus I believe it's very insular (by repute only obv as I've never lived there)

I live in Manchester but have had many colleagues from in and around Bury and can vouch for everything that's been said so far about the "nice" areas. The tram runs from Bury and takes you into town really quickly - though avoid rush hour like the plague! - $so you don't have to worry about being cut off. That said, Bury itself has its own "world famous" market and a town centre with most of the usual high street chains so you don't have to go to Manchester if you don't want (though it is a fantastic city ). Good luck with the move

We use Bury tram as a springboard into Manc (still at least 30 sodding mins from Clith!)

used to live near monton. kids went to a great little RC school called St charles and the secondary was considered v.good too, Ambrose Barlow.

Thanks for all of your messages. I think it's likely to be Ramsbottom/Holcombe are that we go for. I wasn't dead set on catholic school but St Josephs at Ramsbottom is the only school which has space for DD1 (year 1) and DD2 (reception), though it seems a pity to go into Bury for the (good) catholic comps when the comps up in Ramsbottom are v good (Woodhey and Tottingham are 2 nearest).

I'm concerned about commute to Mcr as I'll have to get a job eventually!!

Will keep you posted on where we end up!!!

We're in Monton. We're going up in the world as we now have a coffee shop and a kids clothes shop! Monton Green is a nice primary and Ambrose Barlow up the road is catholic and is the highest performing secondary in the authority.

Hello again,
Just heard that I've got both of my DDs into St Josephs at Ramsbottom which we've now visited and is a lovely school so I'm very happy. Also, we've rented there (DH moves in soon - the rest of us at the end of the school year). Hoping that I can adjust to "country" life!!! Thanks for all of your help.