Holywell (Flintshire) versus Buckley

[mona3256]

I am from Chester originally, and after 12 years in London I am moving back 'home'.

I am a cash buyer from my London property, and need to be in reasonable distance of Chester uni (Parkgate Road campus) as this is where my job is. I will be driving (free parking onsite)

Over Easter I visited, and narrowed down my search to Holywell and Buckley. Both offered me lots of properties within my budget, but I am having a tough time deciding between the two. I feel like Buckley is my 'head' choice, whereas Holywell would be more of a 'heart' choice

My summary is:

Buckley
closer to Chester, which means a shorter commute (15 to 20 minutes)
closer to Manchester airport (I visit family abroad a lot)
good public transport

Holywell
Pretty views
Get slightly more for my money
commute would be about 30/35 minutes (so based on my current London commute, still good)
closest station is Flint, and a bus to Chester is 75 minutes (so any nights out in Chester would have to be planned)

Anybody who live in either places have any input/thoughts on the advantages or disadvantages of either place?

Schools not a deciding factor for me.

Look at Hawarden, I like that better than Buckley. Still pretty close to Chester.

Hawarden and surrounding areas are lovely. As are Kinnerton, Doddleston and that neck of the woods.
Buckley and Holywell aren't very nice IMO. Still a bit rough and not many good places to go out locally. Try Mold though. It's really improved in recent years.

I'm regularly at Chester uni and parking is a bloody nightmare btw. You'll need to get there before 9.30 to get a space.

There are many places I would prefer to Holywell and Buckley.

What is your budget? And what are you looking for?

I was also going to suggest Hawarden! I grew up in Connah's Quay but moved away for uni. All of my school friends have moved to Hawarden.

Another vote for Hawarden. Also look at Broughton. I work in Mold - it's very nice but a bit quiet.

I grew up in a village outside Holywell which was amazing but Holywell town is horrible.

Buckley is ok - we looked at buying here but settled on Broughton in the end.

I also lived in Connah's Quay - the top part is lovely

I grew up in Buckley and it's a really nice town. It's got everything you need and I used to drive to Chester daily for work. 30 minutes max journey.

Hawarden is pricey but lovely. I now live in Mold which is lovely too. Council tax is more than Buckley and houses are more expensive. Good schools too, including two Welsh medium schools which my DD attends. She is now fluent in Welsh.

Holywell would be a definite no for me I'm afraid, it hasn't got a good reputation. Did you look at Mynydd Isa?

Oh and Buckley isn't rough, like all towns it has some dodgy areas, but mostly it's ok!

Mold isn't quiet either, it has a market twice weekly, Tesco/Lidl/Aldi and a Homebase. We love living in Mold.

PM me you want to ask anymore questions, happy to help

I'm from the area. I wouldn't buy in either!
Definitely look at Hawarden and Mold.
If you're ok with something a bit more rural there are some nice villages around Holywell.

Also around Penyfford/Kinnerton/Broughton.

Broughton has loads of new build houses if that's of interest and although a bit soulless has that vast retail park/cinema etc next to it which would be handy. And is easy for Chester.

holywell and buckley are very different town

Neither. They are both not nice.
Hawarden, Broughton, Mold all much better. How far are you willing to drive?
What is your Price range?
Not sure why this post has decided to use my Old user name, very weird.

@Troels
because its a 2018 thread

😂How did I miss that!