SOUTH OF MANCHESTER

[Postchildrenpregranny]

Thinking of down sizing and moving North -partly to realise some capital (DD2 lives in Manchester, DD1 in London, which we cannot afford. We aren't moving just to 'be near' as no guarantee she'll stay)
Does anyone know anything about Whaley Bridge? Marple Bridge? Macclesfield ? Chapel en le Frith? ( I know Buxton can get cut-off) Looking to spend £350,000 or so . Very open minded as to type of house .Location is more important.We are relatively young/fit/active retired . I'd like to be able to see hills and trees from my windows...I hate living in suburbia (was born and bred in the country)
But given that we would hope to live out our declining years wherever we go, it cannot be too remote and must have reasonable public transport, ideally Dr Library, local shop. And access to theatre etc , airport, rail service to London (hence Manchester)

I wouldn't class any of those areas as "South of Manchester" as in South Manchester - they are indeed south of Manchester but by quite some distance. They're all a good 30 minute drive away from say Altrincham, another 10/15 mins if you're driving further into Manchester (it depends what part of Manchester your DD lives in).

Have you looked at places like Dunham / Mobberley / Knutsford and surrounding villages as slightly closer. Not necessarily hills but certainly trees etc. You are right that you will have to go further out for hills - but then you're obviously getting further away from Manchester.

I think £350,000 won't necessarily go far but there are some lovely places to live.

We could spend more if need be but don't need a big place. Had assumed anywhere on the west (ie towards Cheshire) would be more expensive
Yes am Ok with a 30 min drive (especially if there is a good train service)
My DB lives in N Wales , plus lots of old friends, which is anotherincentive

DD is presently in a flat near Picadilly (she was a student in M for six years and would like to stay there)

High Peak is lovely and most of the villages will have stunning views, New Mills probably has the best transport links - 2 stations with direct trains to Manchester, Sheffield and Buxton and good bus links. Whaley is nice, Chinley is small but has a station (and views), Hayfield is beautiful but no station and more expensive. I don't like Chapel as much.

Marple Bridge and Mellor - lovely, again possibility of extensive views, but traffic can be appalling getting to the motorway and Stockport.

Into Cheshire proper - Poynton is naice - Waitrose, restaurants and family orientated but more expensive, direct countryside access but not many houses with views unless you go up to Higher Poynton or Middlewood, Bollington has views, but no station. Disley and parts of High Lane will give you the views at a cheaper price.

Alderley, Wilmslow, Prestbury very expensive, very Cheshire, probably not the views.

I'd go for Buxton over Macc, much more a self contained market town with character although there are west coast main line trains into London from Macc taking 1hr40 and much nearer the airport. Don't worry about being cut off in Buxton, realistically if you live in any of the higher up areas you arent going to be able to get your car down any of the hills for a couple of days a year anyway.

Marple Bridge is nice, quite pricey I think (more so than Marple).

Some parts/suburbs of Macc are nice, but the town centre has got a bit depressing in recent years. There's some major regeneration planned there though.

To be how at I get Whaley Brisge confused with Chapel En Le Frith, but I think they're both quite popular and pretty much anywhere round there is right on the doorstep of the beautiful Peak District. Disley is nice, have you looked there?

If you're happy to go further south then there are some lovely parts of the Staffs Moorlands.

Thanks dustdragon .
May rethink Buxton .DH and I spent our first ever weekend way together there (the Palace Hotel)so have a soft spot... Being cut off not really an issue, as we don't work . Was used to it as a child .
The Cheshire side is a lot more expensive and no hills !
Bollington and Disley sound possible. Not thinking of doing it for a year or so but want to do some 'research'well in advance (and I love property porn )

You're looking at some attractive areas and (given you're not rush hour commuters) not far from Manchester at all by car or rail. Most people I know in the areas I list below (at least those in Cheshire) work in Manchester or the outskirts.
For those who want fresh air and green space it's worth remembering that trains from places like Prestbury, Alderley, Poynton etc take the same length of time into Manchester as the tram from more built up areas such as Altrincham/Timperley. Less frequent of course and more expensive for that late taxi back.

If you draw a line from Marple/Marple Bridge down through Poynton as far as Henbury (west of Macc) then East of that line is basically where you start to feel there are hills! I am a hills person living to the West of that line and often wish I could bring the hills a little closer!

In your shoes I'd be looking at places from which I could get a train into Manchester (they all go into Piccadilly from this side so that works for your daughter) and accessible for Stockport or Macc (your obvious options for fast trains to London)

Bollington is hilly and is a good size in that it has most things but isn't large enough to feel built up. You're a short drive to Macc for the train (into Manc or to London) but Bollington itself does not have a train station which may be quite a negative compared with other options.

Adlington/Pott Shrigley border is lovely, green and hilly. Adlington has a station (2 stops to Macc for London trains; direct to Manc Pic in ~30 mins) but only has a pub, no shop or other facilities. Your closest shops are Poynton which is OK but doesn't inspire me (see below!)

Poynton has most facilities, a good train to Manchester and an easy change at Stockport for London trains. You need to be East (or Higher) Poynton to see much in the way of hills which puts you a fair hike from the station. Poynton itself I find fairly bland to be honest - both the centre and the broader housing stock. Higher Poynton/Middlewood Way are very pleasant though.

I'm a big fan of Marple Bridge and Mellor. Beautiful surrounds, good Parks (there and by Compstall), selection of cafes/eateries (MB) and some great pubs (Mellor) as well as the train in. Marple isn't as attractive but gives you more facilities (library etc). From all you've said I would definitely look at Marple Bridge. Drive into Manchester as previously mentioned isn't great.

Disley is attractive and has a station (& Lyme Park of course). It's slightly further out so the train takes a little longer. The drive into Manchester from Disley can be agony. The main road through Disley also carries many lorries so the noise detracts slightly.

I don't know the likes of High Peak, Buxton or Whaley Bridge well (passing visits) but would say you are getting further away from Manchester. If you're going there every now and then it isn't a problem, if planning to go in frequently then it's probably a consideration.

Macc itself is perfect in many ways. you get a ~24 minute service into Manchester 1hr 40/50 to London, all the facilities you need (given Manchester is no time away when you want more) and ready access to the hills. It can surprise you as it's fairly quirky in places (art festivals etc). Despite all that (& having lived outside Macc for a number of years) I can't recommend it as it does have that slightly tired, slightly short of cash market town feel. Also isn't green/trees/hills without living in a surrounding village

Probably worth visiting Prestbury although it's not an obvious choice for you. You are unlikely to get rolling hills from your window but it does have a lot in the village for its size, a decent train to Manchester, taxi from Macc for the London trains, and no more than a 10 minute drive to the other side of say Bollington. It's "Cheshire" money of course. You can afford it but may not want to. Very pretty village though and pretty good Indian (my priorities laid bare!)

While Maccelsfield sounds good for facilities, (and I went through on the train en route to visit DD last week and was surprised how near to M. it was) I really, really want that view from my windows and to be able to go for a 'proper' walk from my front door . DD2 went out to Whaley Bridge when a student with friends one day on the train-just chosen at random to go for a walk . She said everyone was so friendly and the place was lovely. She's very keen for us to move there (she won't be living with us, so we don't need to be that close to the city. She'd be more likely to visit us than vice versa. And we don't go to the theatre etc every week! . But she is looking to the future as she professes to want several children and can see nearby GPs a distinct advantage. This is not imminent ) I thought Marple Bridge might be similar . But hadn't heard of Mellor .
Might look at Prestbury (have a friend in Tarvin, but have always thought we couldn't afford Cheshire 'proper' )
Lack of train station Ok as long as a bus/ within taxi distance for when we get decrepit.Hope to be driving a good while yet . But quite prepared to use and pay for taxis .
We live near Birmingham and I can't remember the last time I drove in . I use my free bus pass on the train and would envisage doing the same

Prestbury is one of the most expensive places in Cheshire for property OP.

I would choose Bollington over Macc and it has its own village centre, but is still close to the facilities of bigger places. Wilmslow would be the suburban hell you would like to avoid imo OP - it was suggested upthread.

There are some beautiful places in the area you are thinking of.

Prestbury?? Footballer territory. Not on £350k! I don't think it is the kind of countryside you want, either.

There are cottages in Prestbury on the market at £350k and under and also a couple of ex council houses on the outskirts with open aspects. It is Alderley where the smaller houses become stupidly expensive as it appeals much more to young professionals. I think Prestbury is a good suggestion, although you wont get the hill views you would get in High Peak. Search on right move putting your upper limit in and select properties within a 10 mile radius of Whaley Bridge - which should just about cover the area you want although you'll pick up a bit of Stockport in that selection too - there are some lovely properties and it should give you an idea of what you can get.

(whoops) can definitely get something suitable for about £350,000 or less
Now looking at Bollington .No rush!
Thanks for all your help .What a great resource MN is

Without complicating matters for you, would you not consider North East of Manchester? Somewhere like Saddleworth sounds right up your street? Saddleworth is an area with towns like Uppermill, Greenfield, Delph and Mossley. Greenfield has a train line with 23 minute journey to Manchester Victoria. Seemed quite nice when I was their for work and a perfect place if you like walking....remember the saturday afternoon I was there, the high street was full of people kitted out in their walking gear and setting out on walks like some it was some sort of base for the regions walking community.

This is a good article: www.theguardian.com/money/2011/dec/09/lets-move-to-saddleworth-greater-manchester

Also Ramsbottom or Littleborough north of Bury and Rochdale respectively are quite nice too for the outdoor life. I know they both have train lines too.

Of course you can get 2-3 bed houses in Prestbury for £350k. However, now the OP has said a train station is not mandatory, and given you won't be going into Manchester every week, I'd suggest you look first at Marple Bridge, Bollington, Buxton and Whaley Bridge.

By the way (& apologies if you know this OP but some posts are ambiguous) many of the places mentioned are in Cheshire (Macc, Bollington, Poynton, Disley etc). There are very pricey parts of East Cheshire (Prestbury, Alderley and Knutsford being obvious examples) and pricey parts of West Cheshire (e.g. Tarporley). Broadly speaking, West and South Cheshire are cheaper than East Cheshire.

Ramsbottom might very well suit you. Useless for London but as a town/scenery.

No, definitely want S , S/E of M as we would be going down to London a fair bit and also back to the Midlands occasionally (have been here a long time-lots of friends ). I've been driving up to the Fallowfields area for 6 years from the W Midlands and it's an OK drive. Can also get to N. Wales fairly easily . , Plus the airport-we travel a lot .
West of M (ie East of Chester ) too expensive and not especially hilly though pleasant. Have friends in Upton and Tarvin and have driven through regularly for years en route to N wales . No, dont think Prestbury or Alderly Edge are very 'us' ! Suspect it's a bit footballers wives...We could afford it but only by re-investing all capital from sale of present house
Whaley Bridge and Marple/NM Bridge were already on my list, but will look at Bollington, Higher Poynton And maybe reconsider Buxton Yes I feel a recce trip coming on .

One thing to bear in mind if you want to use your bus pass on the train is that you'd need to be in the area covered by greater Manchester transport. So Marple / Marple bridge means free trains, wilmslow is just outside the area so no free trains. Doesn't sound like wilmslow is for you, but just by way of example that not all towns around Manchester get free train travel. I'm in Marple and love it, Marple bridge is prettier, both have great access to countryside. And a bypass has just got planning permission to link help ease motorway access to m56/m6.

I bought my first house in Whaley Bridge, and loved it, close to the hills and very friendly. I still think it has a lovely feel to it. Bollington is also good, with a very active arts scene and lots of places to eat out. Have you thought about Rainow? No shops, but quite pretty, lots of good walks and only three miles from Macclesfield.

Good point SlipperyLizard . Thanks for the tip . Mind you , 'they' might take bus passes away soon . Its one of the best things about getting old(er) along with senior rail card and significant reductions on all sorts of stuff .

Just to second Hayfield and Chinley if you like the hills and outdoors. Edale is also another good option. All are beautiful villages with fantastic walking and off road cycling.

When we moved here I wouldn't have considered New Mills or Chapel, but both are much improved and (like Whaley) have supermarkets.

Unfortunately the smaller villages aren't well served for shops so you either need a car to shop or get deliveries. Chinley used to have a fantastic community vege shop but that has changed.

If you're happy to go further south then there are some lovely parts of the Staffs Moorlands

I was going to suggest Congleton or the Moorlands which is a further South but very close to the hills/scenery, train direct to Manchester and London. Congleton is on the boarder of Cheshire, close to M6 and only 20 mile to Manchester Airport. 2 miles further from Congleton train station you're in to north Staffordshire (different Council) and you have the Staffordshire Moorlands: great house prices, fantastic Council, amazing views and walks. Look at Leek, Biddulph and Biddulph Moor. Many city commuters in these areas now because of links to Manchester and London by train (via Stoke) and cheap location to live. £350k would get you a huge detached house with views and countryside.