Anyone "escaped" to the country from Manchester?

[abigailwendover]

Where did you go? How do you find it? Any regrets?

We're currently living in a leafy suburb, 2 young DCs, lots of amenities on our doorstep plus good transport links. Both work in city centre.

Since lockdown we've been fantasising about living somewhere more rural. The local amenities have mostly been closed and we haven't missed them. Spent most of our time in the local parks but would love to be able to just bundle the kids out of the house and have countryside walks on our doorstep. DH and I are both currently working from home and have realistic prospect of doing so permanently, or perhaps 1-2 days in the office. So we'd need to be able to get to Manchester but could handle a longer commute than if we were doing it 5 days a week.

I'd love to hear from anyone who's made the move - in terms of how you've found the experience - and/or from anyone who can recommend a lovely rural spot, suitable for a young family, within, say, 1.5h of Manchester.

Thank you!

Sorry, just saw someone else said it.

Yes, it is magnificent, maybe an hours drive, bit more? Totally worth it IMHO

Chipping (FOB) to Deansgate is 59 mins, according to Google maps

Used Deansgate as not sure where your office is - obviously if you're South Manc it'd be lots more

We haven't moved but what about heading out of South Manchester - so Ashley, Knutsford, Mobberley & surrounding villages (Lower / Over Peover) or the villages out towards Warrington - Lymm, High Legh etc

Another vote for the High Peak. I live in Hayfield - so a bit of a faff to get to the train station (10 minutes on the bike, shit buses or a car.) but once there it is a 35 minute train to Manchester Pic. Advantage over further out is that you can get a GMCA traincard.
We are in the Peak Park and straight out the back onto the fells. You can get all the way to Scotland off road if you want.

Forest of Bowland is truly stunning. And is probably one of the best kept secrets of Lancashire. The southern tip should be doable. I grew up there and both my parents commuted to Manc every day, although in 1980s traffic levels.

Forest of Pendle is the other AONB in Lancs on the other side of the A59 / Clitheroe. Also well worth a look.

The houses in your sort of price bracket will be all big stone farmhouses and converted barns. I know it's STC, but this sort of thing:
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-94314125.html

Is that the sort of style you like?

Thanks @grassisjeweled - that should be doable if it's only a couple of times a week, definitely worth considering. I don't love motorway driving but might have to get over that to get the beautiful countryside we're after! Do you live in that area? Do you find it quite friendly?

@Africa2go thanks so much for the suggestions. Mobberley and that area is lovely but think I'd be put off moving there by all the planes... Hadn't considered Warrington villages so will check those out 

@Unescorted which station do you commute in from? Is there decent amount of parking at the station? Is Hayfield quite a friendly place place to move to?

Do you live in that area? Do you find it quite friendly?

^
I'm originally from that area, and yes, I'm friendly yes, I'd say the locals are welcoming - lots of nice pubs too. Stoneyhurst College /Lord of the Rings inspired area nearby too. Clitheroe is beautiful, supermarkets etc, smaller villages, hamlets, actually inside the forest.

Good links to M6 too

@grassisjeweled haha you certainly seem friendly via the medium of Mumsnet Good selection of pubs is always a bonus! M6 useful for family actually so that's good to know too.

@LooseMooseHoose Oo yes that house is lovely - would probably want to redecorate to our taste (hypothetically as I know it's STC!) but the style of house and setting are gorgeous! Will check out Forest of Pendle too

New Mills is lovely!! Marple, Furness Vale, Disley, Strines, etc. - all lovely also. All on a trainline that gets you to Piccadilly within 30-45 mins.

Oh! Mossley is also really great, if you want something between town and city. It's like a little hipster paradise surrounded by hills.

Another vote for Saddleworth.
Lots to do, great walks, amazing views and fab community.

Whats your budget? How many beds do you want?

What about this place in Disley?
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-96196982.html.
Rooms might be a bit small but you'd have Lyme Park practically on your doorstep and v easy commute into Picadilly.

New Mills Newtown, NM Central, Marple, Glossop, Chinley or Broadbottom - depends which train line is running.

@abigailwendover

Kingsley Green, Kingsley Road, Frodsham
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-96623231.html

Tarvin Road, Alvanley, Frodsham
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-86552636.html

@abigailwendover

Depends what you want. Frodsham has a selection of bars and restaurants and access to good schools. Villages like Alvanley, Kingsley and Manley are five minutes away and parking at the station is really cheap. Trains to Manchester and Liverpool. Good access to motorways.

Don't rule out parts of places like Sandbach with good train links to Manchester.

Oh gosh that sounds tough @Butterer - sorry you had such a bad time of it  Hope you find the perfect town if you ever decide to leave the city again.

@BigHuff thanks for the recommendations I know Disley/Marple etc a bit but don't know Mossley at all. In what way is it hipster?

Thanks @SueEllenMishke - Saddleworth getting a very positive write up!

@RedToothBrush about 650k and we need 4 bedrooms. What's Sandbach like? Does it feel fairly rural round there?

Oo that's rather nice @NoHunGosh but think I'm too paranoid to live that close to a river with small children 

Wow lots of options @Unescorted!

They're both lovely @Pieceofpurplesky! Definitely need to head over to the Frodsham area to have a look around

Forest of Bowland is beautiful. We live not far from it. My dh drives into Manchester about twice a week. Takes him under 1.5 hours. We have plenty walks on our doorstep.
Oh it’s mandatory to own a dog if you live in Lancashire. Thems the rules.