Preston vs York

[ifsogirl]

We have been seriously thinking about moving to Preston, but now I'm having doubts. On the plus side it has good transport links to Manchester, Lake District etc. But the town itself is horrible. Been looking at Penwortham and Fulwood areas. Fulwood seems to have plenty of age suitable activities and is near the hospital. We're retired but active, so schools/commuting aren't a consideration. Plenty of affordable property. But I am worried about how safe it is, not planning to go out at night, but for dog walking.

Also wondering about North Yorkshire/York, mainly because it features in some "best place to live" lists and does not have any negative associations. I have only been to York once, many years ago. Have a maximum of 400,000 so that rules out anywhere within commuting distance of London.

Parks around Penwortham and Fulwood pretty safe during the day. Some antisocial behaviour round the old Tram Road nearer the city, but Avenham walkable from Penwortham and quite nice. I’d steer clear of Kingsfold though. Parks further out such as Cuerden and Worden fine if you were driving there to dog walk. Pavement walking in both places ok. As you say, really handy for the Lakes and also Ribble Valley (provided no problems on the M6, then you’re looking at gridlock right across the area).

If I asked my husband the same question, he would say York over Preston.

@ifsogirl If your retired and have a dog look up Buckshaw Village, 7 miles from preston all new builds though but has great places to go walking, swimming pool, gym and lots to do.

Preston/Fullwood 😬 personally wouldn't move there, Higher Penwortham, Hutton, Longton & New Longton all nice places!

Is there a particular reason you were looking at Preston? And what do you want in terms of house? 400k is a decent budget almost anywhere in the north.

I'd go for Wrea Green or Lytham TBH. Penworthsm, Hutton or Longton after that.

I would just choose York every time. Where do you live now?

Preston vs York seems like a bit of an odd combo - why did you start with Preston? Do you have connections to either area or transport like to somewhere else which you need?

Links not like!

York is a nicer place than Preston, but correspondingly more expensive. 400k will still get you something there however.

York every time. What dog wouldn't love a garden like this?www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-64314099.html

Have a look at Lytham.
You will love it there.

York is beautiful and vibrant. Preston is barely in the same universe.

You'll get a lot more for your money in Preston, and it's really well connected. There is beautiful countryside around it and Fulwood is pleasant, as are the top villages e.g. Woodplumpton. You might like Lancaster too. York is fab but you will find the weather less harsh in Preston (less snow). Yes it does have dodgy bits but it is up and coming; a real effort is being made to improve the centre.

I'm another saying look at Lytham instead it's lovely I'm totally not biased. Although I'm not really sure how you are comparing Preston and York they are two completely different types of place.

York is fab but you will find the weather less harsh in Preston (less snow)

Perceptions can be a funny thing. York has the better weather.

York av annual rainfall 621mm av temp 9.3c
Preston av 1044mm av temp 9.1

Odd choice? Why one or the other. There are some lovely surrounding areas to Preston. Clifton, cottam, woodplumpton is beautiful, wrea green and ecclestons super cute.

Cuerden is nice for dog walking, I walk Avenham a lot and have never felt unsafe plus Cedarwood coffee does the best coffee in Preston!
Woodplumpton and Cottam both nice I live nearby
Close to the motorway too, I've been here 17 years and am quite happy. Town centre never appears great at first glance but when you look a bit further there's some hidden gems. Ok, not many but the continental has great drinks and food, we don't give a fork or vinyl tap for burgers, cedarwood coffee as mentioned, Plau... etc
Rivington and Heapey also great for incredible views and getting out into the countryside

I said harsh, not rainy. I don't think of rain as being a bad thing.

@LoveGrowsWhere @BobbinThreadbare123 PP talks about snow another poster tells them they are wrong and puts a comment about rain 🤣 love mumsnet!

I would also have a look at Buckshaw Village, Chorley, if you want to be near Preston. Excellent transport links and loads of countryside for dog walking.

Also have a look at south ribble it was named the best place to live in the UK

Thank you so much for all the replies. Plenty there to think about.
We live a couple of hours drive north of Preston. Our current house is too remote to be safe or pleasant to live in during old age. Nearest shop is 12 miles away. We want somewhere that is close to shops, public transport, swimming pool, cinema etc, with a secure garden.
I am sure there are lots of places that would fit the bill, but I am only familiar with the South/London area, where cost of living and housing is high.

We were looking at Preston because we stop off at Bamber Bridge for fuel on the way down to visit family, and we liked the look of the area. And the fact that it has good transport links.

York (and Yorkshire in general), I had heard a lot of good things about and we had a relative who was very happy living in Harrogate for a number of years.
Still not sure about Preston. There are so many things to consider when you don't know an area. Need to do more research.
We visited Lancaster recently and liked it. Lytham is worth another look. Buckshaw Village ticks a lot of boxes, but the fact that you can't grow veg in your garden because it is on a brown field site is a bit off putting!

Fulwood is not Preston. It's a very leafy town on the outskirts, a lovely area. You might want to check the village Cottam too. Great areas (not the same as city centre Preston at all). You will get far more for your money there and it's very safe. Lots of new shops and a new train station (going up in Cottam) as well. Good luck!

Fulwood is bang smack in Preston, it's the suburban area of Preston certainly not it's own town

Does it have to be either of them? There are plenty of other places in and around.

I agree Preston isn't the nicest but it has access to some great places.

I really don't get the hype for York. It's heaving with tourists and traffic and the surrounding countryside is boring as fuck.