Workington - first time buyers

[BipolarSunset]

Hi All,

Looking at finally moving out of London and buying our first home.

We were looking at Cumbria, mainly Workington. Anyone know the area well enough to give me an insight before I get overly invested on Zoopla and Rightmove!

Would you recommend? If not then where else?

Thanks in advance!

Many years since I've been there it was pretty run down. Whitehaven, Cockermouth or Carlisle might be better, or Ulverston if its not too far. Hopefully someone with more current knowledge will be along soon.

Don’t do Workington. It wasn’t a bad place (lived there for a year), but was run down and stuck in the past (not in a good way). Was glad to leave. Much better places around.

It's more remote and harder to get to than you might think, and I've always found it to be a really quite insular and run down part of Cumbria. Ulverston is a better shout.

Where would your work be based and what are you looking for in the area? I’m from the next door town (not living there now) and worked in workington for a bit (20 years ago..). Unless you have links to the area and know it I think a move from London there may be a bit of a shock. The high street has struggled for a long time, there are limited cultural offerings and it can feel very insular.

Agree that it's not somewhere to move to 'just because', mainly due to the transport infrastructure.

There certainly are some lovely places in West Cumbria, but unless you've family or work ties, I'd advise somewhere a bit less remote. Closer to Carlisle could be good, or Cockermouth?

What is your criteria?

Thanks for all the reply's all!

DH can transfer practically anywhere as he works for a well known company. Me on the other hand would be looking at management in healthcare or healthcare assistant roles.

We were looking at Workington as we want a complete restart away from the 'big city' and we have a friend who lives there so someone we would know locally.

Have seen a house we love in Frizington if that's any different?

We could only afford a mortgage of £160k but your replies obviously tell us why property is so cheap in that area!

Don't be put off Cumbria as it is lovely, but it has it's run down areas just like anywhere.

Have you spent much time here to get a feel for places?

My aunt lives in Keswick and have been to visit a few times. Planning to go to Workington in the summer to get a feel of the surrounding areas.

To me, it can't be any worse than south east London. Just want somewhere safer for our boy to grow up

If your healthcare management career encompasses hospitals as well as primary healthcare then Whitehaven may be better for opportunities at West Cumberland hospital too. For me whitehaven has more charm than workington with a marina and gorgeous georgian townhouses as well as more modern developments (and older council estates that have really generously sized semis). But the highstreet was struggling pre pandemic and, as other say, travel links to the wider UK are not great. it is definately worth spending some time in the area to get a proper feel.

I would definitely say it feels safe for children. I work in a secondary school and we deal with classic teenage stuff but not much beyond that.