Moving North - Looking for some advice

[toria110]

Moving the family north - work will be in Salford and will also need a link to the dreaded London for OH.

We are normal folk with three young children so looking for a place to call home that is semi rural with reasonable transport connections, a nice friendly primary (High school next) and a community spirit where we can get involved. We hope to buy soon but for now renting seems sensible while we get settled in the area.

Looking at Chapel, Whaley, Chinley and Buxworth. Otherwise Disley or Marple even?

Any thoughts?

Thank you. It is all a bit daunting!

We are Stockport way, super easy train to London from Stockport and not far at all into town/Salford down the m60 or a6. The heatons and surrounding area are lovely.

I know it can be quite daunting especially if you don't know the area - there are obviously thousands of places you can settle and picking one is hard! You will get lots of people raving about their areas - most people like where they live - but it really depends on what you want. It also depends on your budget - there are parts of the region that are double the price (if not more) than others.

Salford (Media City) is on the tram line and the metro is great - so if you want, perhaps pick somewhere on the tram line. Fast trains to London from Stockport / Manchester - about 2 hrs from Stockport.

I think you're definitely doing the right thing in renting to get a feel for the area. Good luck.

Marple is lovely, as are the Heatons. I like Chinley too, and around the Mellor area. Hayfield is gorgeous, have you considered there?

Whaley and Chapel are both a bit...odd. IMO.

Thanks so much for speedy replies.

Namechange I know exactly what you mean about liking what you like! For some rural is freedom, for others it is 'the sticks'. As a family we do want plenty of sticks however I am mindful that, with kids especially, there has to be facilities within a reasonable distance. I grew up in the country but have been living with the bustle of a city. Can't wait to leave that bustle actually!

Stockport has some great climbing places. My boys really enjoyed it. You can see it used to be really industrial. Some areas might be a bit built up for us.

The things that are on our list are:

• good public transport - I will be doing shift work so early starts and late finishes. Have a car but don't fancy fighting traffic.
• Bit of down to earthness - I am from Yorkshire so somewhere that doesn't look funny at people from the Dales or southern folk - OH is Australian!! And a community we can pitch in with.
• Nice friendly schools and childminders!
• Budget. Well we are not awash with cash ha ha where is that lottery ticket??? And with three little ones every penny counts eh? Modest would be the best word.

I have been reading about areas of north Manchester - technically Bury like Prestwich - which are really worth considering. I suppose I just went for South by default. Thoughts for north Man?

Think Chinley is on the favourites list due to connectivity and Eccles Pike - we have loved it rain or shine every time we have been - but really would like to be sensible and have a few areas to compare during visits.

Any and all wisdom much appreciated.

T

Marple and Disley are both lovely. The one issue with Disley is that they keep rumbling about closing the train line. Hazel Grove is the end of the electrified bit and also nice (once you get 1/4 of a mile from the A6). All have quick train lines and bus routes to Manchester but are right next to fields.

Be warned that once you get into Cheshire the bus lines into Manchester are poor and the trains very expensive!

Bromeliad that is good info. I will definitely take that on board.Yes Hazel Grove did come on my radar. So much to consider! Coming up again in May so hopefully we can make a proper narrowing down.

The A6 is notoriously busy and you wouldn't want to have to use the A6 in rush hour.

Prestwich - parts are nice but I wouldn't really class it as rural, not "the sticks" - more suburbia. It is close to Heaton Park which has good green space, but not countryside.

Have lived in North Manchester - like anywhere really, good parts and not so good parts. Your money will definitely go further than South Manchester.

We moved up from London to Manchester a while ago, and yes it's daunting - but it was a great move an we're really happy.

Just wanted to wish you well!