Relocating to Lancashire

[werekitty]

Help, in the next couple of months I'm probably going to have to relocate from Surrey to Preston/Blackburn.

Which areas should I try and rent in and where do I avoid?

Thanks in advance

Chorley - nice??! Gosh it must have changed in the last 25 years as it didn't used to be.

Wondering if I know real life people on this thread? I was born and bred in Clitheroe, went to Pendle Junior and the grammar school. I wouldn't recommend B' burn, Nelson, Colne, Darwen and I'm not really in any hurry to move back to Clitheroe. We lived in Newton in Bowland for a few years - it's gorgeous there, also like Lancaster a lot. Dh commuted to Prestwich from Newton in under an hour. Skipton just over the border is nice aswell.

at why

Took the words right out of my mouth.

Hey but it could be worse..Skelmersdale, now there is a hellhole.

Another prestonian I live on the way out to Blackpool. I love it!!

I think a lot of Northern towns are much nicer than they used to be (since industry vanished )

Ixia, when were you at Pendle/Grammar?

Some places to consider...

Cliviger
Worsthorne
Clitheroe
Barrowford
Higham
Read
Simonstone
Gisburn
Pleasington
Fence
Hebden Bridge if you looking for somewhere a little bohemian.

I grew up in a village on the outskirts of preston. Having moved away from the area and lived in different counties including the south, I would not go back to preston unless I was desperate, sorry. Everytime I have to go back to see family I just think how glad I am not to live there anymore. And I certainly wouldn't fancy blackburn either. Having said all this, ormskirk and some of the surrounding areas are quite nice and I would go back there.

I much prefer the other side of the penines if I was to move back up north

ponders - I've had too much wine to do the maths, but i'm 42, so must have started grammar in roughly 1980.

oh, you were well ahead of my kids then the first one didn't start at Pendle till 1987. I'm an incomer so I don't know many locals of my generation (or yours, come to that)

Have to agree Chorley is horrid - having lived there for 6 months, its horrible. Really scruffy, charity shop-tastic and just run down. I would suggest lots of the towns are like that.

Its the little villages which are the most attractive, and the outskirts of the major towns. Langho, Whalley etc (just outside of Clitheroe) and parts of Bolton are nice too - the northern part - great access into Manchester one way and Preston the other way (Bolton School - independent secondary school) has great reputation.

When I made my first post I mentioned places I liked, rather than those I don't - for fear of offending people. So no comment on Chorley, Skem, Preston itself, Blackburn, Darwen and a myriad of other places!

Loads of nice villages though - besides those I mentioned I've remembered Croston and Rufford (in a Liverpool direction).

If it were me then I would look at the villages (& places the size of Clitheroe and Garstang), convenient to get to work (wherever exactly that it) but set up so my trips into 'town' would take me towards Manchester (south east), Lancaster (north) or Liverpool (south west) by and large avoiding Preston itself.

Benefit of Ormskirk, Croston, Rufford etc is you can get to the coast easily (altho to be fair Lancashire's coast isn't competing with Cornwall!); benefit of north of Preston (e.g. Garstang) is you're heading towards the glorious Lakes.

If work is Blackburn then there are v nice places just north or to the south east (south east particularly if you want to be able to get into Manchester)

a lot of the villages suggested are very cute & picturesque but they have no shops to speak of -which is fine if you're well organised, never run out of stuff, & don't mind always having to drive for shopping

Also most of them don't have primary schools so that's another drive (there are buses for secondary)

Mawdesley, a tiny, isolated, inbred, snobby commuter enclave in Lancashire might be worth a look. Most people here are from the home counties and house prices are at levels only seen in the poshest areas of the South East.

There are no amenities however, everyone is over 60, and unless you own multiple Range Rovers, live in a mansion and keep horses you'll never really be accepted by the "community".

My husband (British born and bred) are looking at moving from South Africa to the UK in the next few months and would like to stay close to Preston preferably in a small village. We will initially rent so need to keep our costs down as much as possible. All opinions will be greatly appreciated. Many thanks.

Hi there,
I dont know if all the above recommendations for good areas to live in Preston are still up to date, but Id like to ask again for best places for single mum with toddler to move to in preston, preferably not too far from public transport. Im moving after 10 years in germany to be closer to family in uk. Main concern is neighbourhood "cleanliness" & access to good (primary) schools. Id welcome all suggestions!! Thansk a lot :-)

I'm in Buckshaw Village near Euxton and there are quite a few lovely villages in the Preston area. Again I'd say Preston over Blackburn.

I know a lovely house on Buckshaw for sale .

All villages above are lovely, I'd also add Ribchester to the list. Euxton has a number of outstanding schools to choose from and some lovely countryside-y areas. I've lived on Buckshaw for 9 years but if you're not into living on a development/ large village/ small town it won't be for you.

Best of luck with your relocation!

Just seen the last post. Buckshaw would be a great choice for you as there are several nearby schools, a train station which is around 9 mins to Preston and lots of toddler groups etc so you can get to know people. There's an excellent support network and it's easy to get to know other parents. Xx sorry hadn't noticed how old OPs post was.

Drove through the Ribble Valley yesterday. It is stunning. Sorry not helpful!

Where will you be working? If you need to get into Preston and Blackburn I would suggest Mellor or pleasington. Ribble valley is nice. Westholme in Blackburn is a good school 4 til 18 and easy to get to from the ribble valley.

I lived in buckshaw for a couple of years, it was a nice place but parking was very cramped and schools have had to triple intake to cope with the new houses. I now live near longridge which although semi-rural has excellent bus services into Preston.

Ashton, Fulwood, Broughton and Goosnargh - Preston

Avoid Moor Nook, Deepdale, Savick.

Lived there for 20 years before relocating.

@TeaTeaLotsOfTea We have probably met!.

@Christine1234567 when are you looking at moving?