Wirral

[beanbag19]

Can anyone give me any pointers on nice towns/villages and also ones to avoid on the Wirral. Good primary schools are particularly important to us.

I keep seeing properties in Moreton, Irby, Prenton, Upton if anyone has any advice on those areas? I know that Hoylake and Heswall are very nice too.

Thanks in advance.

What sort of things are most important to you? Schools / nightlife / parks / beaches

As a general rule I would say the towns on Dee estuary side of the peninsula are nicer than the Mersey side. So a lot of the ones you mention are kind of in the middle, nice enough areas. Niceness is all relative though isn't it - my nice may not be yours!

Agree with wouldn't, areas on the Dee side are generally nicer. Heswall, Caldy, Hoylake, West Kirby, etc. Thornton Hough is lovely but is very "villagey."
All of the other areas you've mentioned have nicer/not so nice areas so if you let us know the things that are important to you we could maybe help more?

Thanks both. Schools are very important and we would like some shops/restaurants/cafes nearby. Close to a train station would be good but not essential.

Depends on your budget.

There are grammar schools and good secondaries if you look in the Higher Bebington and West Kirby areas. You will always be able to sell - houses really hold their prices there. West Kirby is lovely and has a train straight to Liverpool - change for Chester.

Budget is £300k ish

West Kirby has good schools, a train station and lots of cafes, bars, etc. It has a lovely beach and so lots of people sail, etc.
Bebington also has good schools, a train station and a few cafes, etc. It is very suburban and there isn't much atmosphere.
£300k would probably get you a decent semi in West Kirby, it would get you a fairly large property in Bebington.

Primary schools in Irby are good and prices reasonable.
The primary in Hoylake is undersubscribed and has a poor reputation but its Ofsted rating has improved. I wouldnt send my DCs there personally.
Greasby is a good option for primary schools.
We live in Meols - excellent primary school, you could get a decent semi for your budget. Handy to have the rail link.
West Kirby is lovely and primaries are good, but it's expensive in the best parts.

Heswall, Hoylake and West Kirby are lovely but you won't get that much for your money there. There are some nice areas in Prenton, I've lived there sporadically over the years but there are also some not so nice bits - great access to motorway though and not far from tunnel. Moreton isn't my favourite if I'm honest and neither is Upton

Agree the Dee side is nicer, but you won't have a great deal of choice for 300k. Prenton, oxton, Bebington have lovely areas but I have no idea about the schools.

What about Wallasey/New Brighton? Well served by train stations, Buses into Liverpool and the Ferry.
Mount Primary, New Brighton Primary and Green Leas in Wallasey village are good schools (OFSTED and anecdotal). Wetherhead is a brilliant secondary I believe.

There are some big houses for that budget (and under) and New Brighton is a fab place to live with Cinema, shops, restaurants, Vale Park, The Black Pearl (and the worlds biggest soft play). Great walks along the prom with views of Liverpool and along the dips. Probably a bit more wind swept in winter though

What do you want to get for your budget??
I would avoid Moreton and Upton unless the type of house you want is only within budget in those locations.