Moving to Cheshire in hurry, need advice please.

[onlyeatsyoghurt]

I'm starting a new job in Knutsford in November (DH writing this, with clearance!). We currently live in Surrey. We're thinking of buying a house in either Hartford or Sandiway near Northwich. We've decided that Knutsford is too pricy!

Does anyone have any advice on these areas, or others in the vicinity?

We're really up against the clock so any input would be greatly appreciated. It's safe to say we've all had enough of trips up and down the M25/M40/M6 looking at potential locations. DD(4) and DS(2) probably think we've gone insane!

It looks likely that there is to be a huge new incinerator/waste processing plant in Wincham, Knutsford is just downwind of it.

I would stick with Delamere park, Cuddington or Sandiway.

here is very nice, there is a private pool and tennis courts and lovely playing fields.
It is also just minutes from Delamere forest

I still think mine is perfect for her but she hasn't replied to my email.

Perhaps she's changed her mind??

I live on that estate Serin and it is lovley- however it is in the middle of the contry side and a 20 min walk to a shop/ school.

You do get a lot for your money on Delamere park tbh.

I work in Knutsford and drive in from Bollington (near Macclesfield, totally the other way from Sandiway etc.). Nice options between here and Knutsford. I think you'd struggle to get 4 bed detatched for that price around Mobberley/Alderley etc. but closer to Macclesfield/Bollington and also Congleton would be fine.

I know it will seem like I am saying it because I live there, but Bollington is nice in terms of sense of community, enough there but still quite villagey, good schools etc.

Around Delamere would be nice too.

However, on Rightmove there are currently quite a lot of 4 bed detatched houses for under £350k in Knutsford itself, so might be worth another look, although as others have said secondary school not amazing.

D

Hi and thanks for all your messages. DH posted the original message (apologies to Martha for him not replying to your email!). We have visited the area again and are really keen on Hartford. There's a house we have our eye on and if all goes well we should be there by Christmas. It's sooo stressful though and I know we're only just starting!

I'm interested in the negative comments re the Grange - can you elaborate please as we have looked at this school for our son? Any info greatly appreciated.

I know lots of people who have been there and loved it

I have lived in or near Cheshire nearly all my life and have worked in and around Macclesfield/Knutsford/Congleton.

i would be very careful with Macclesfield, it's gone pretty rough, Alderley/Mobberley/Tatton etc very golf clubs and footballers wives, rich chavs no real culture.

the best places in Cheshire (and beware it's full of small shit towns) are Wilmslow and Nantwich. My parents live in a hamlet near Nantwich and it's got a nice atmosphere, ok shops and a lovely feel. think the schools are ok. Wilmslow has more intelligent people living there than the plastic surgery massive that inhabit Alderley.

Lymm, Altrinham, ok too. I'm biased however and think South Manchester is far superior as a dwelling place .

I'm originally from Surrey and lived in Wilmslow for 5 years (nice house, nice school). I think that if I were choosing again, I'd choose a more "normal" place such as Holmes Chapel or Cuddington.
If Knutsford is too pricey, then certainly Wilmslow, Alderley Edge etc would also be too expensive.

I can highly recommend Appleton - prices are not quite as high as Wilmslow and Alderley Edge - and it really is a lovely area with the attractions of Stockton Heath close by- but not close as to be a nuisance. Motorway connections are good too.

Sorry, sue, have only just stumbled over this thread again! It was me who said the Grange was hideous. In fairness, I was there 17 years ago () so things may well have changed (certainly the headmaster has, which might make a difference). My issues with it were that it was all about exam results and impressing parents, with no emphasis at all on actually giving a child an education. All the teaching was very much geared towards getting the best exam results, so how to present info in order to score maximum marks etc rather than actually wanting to teach us. Information was spoonfed to us rather than teaching us to question or discuss. I left with very good exam results but absolutely no knowledge whatsoever. I went on to Oxford, which was a bit of a disaster because I was so used to being told what to think rather than discussing it, plus I tried to play the exam system at the end, which didn't really work!

Most extra-curricular activities were considered very much less important than passing exams/impressing parents. For example, art was considered "non-academic" so the headmaster had no real interest in it and didn't allow an art trip away until I was in the sixth form. Everything like the school play, school magazine etc were done by teachers with very limited student input, unlike schools where these are done entirely by the students, who learn useful skills as a result. I felt there was this terrible fear at all times that we would embarrass the school given half the chance, so weren't given any responsibility whatsoever in case we abused it. Problem kids would be got rid of rather than helped.

In short, it's not a school I would choose for my own children, though it may have changed. Having said that, my little brother has apparently been thinking of sending his DDs there, so who knows.

Thanks for your comments Dita. I think even though you were there some time ago :) some of your comments probably still apply. The school appears very academic which suits me in most ways - but there is even an assessment at 3 - 4 years old for entry into the Junior School and I'm uncomfortable about that aspect. I have some thinking to do!

I know a few people who have recently left the Grange and none of them really seem to have achieved what they should have done. Not particularly empirical evidence I'm afraid.

I guess that getting exam results is their main selling point. To be fair to them, I did leave with excellent exam results, which I probably wouldn't have got at our local high school. And I do appreciate the sacrifices my parents made to send me there There were also some excellent teachers (but also a lot of very bad ones).

Is there an open evening coming up so you can interrogate some current pupils? And maybe see who edits the school magazine these days?

I have certainly been downhill all the way since 18

Hadn't thought of it that way before, but of the people I'm still in touch with I'd say we haven't achieved much in the sense of money/fame etc. Both my brothers are far more "successful" than me these days despite doing abysmally at school (might not be specifically something to do with the Grange though)