Recommendations for nice areas around Cheshire? (Preferably close to North Wales too)

[homesweethome7]

Hi, have grown up and currently live in North Wales, near Conwy/Llandudno. I'm desperate to get on the property ladder and have been saving for a few years now. Although I love home, I've decided to move further afield as the properties around my way are not cheap. I work in Chester anyway so it would save on the commute every day. Should I want to change jobs in the future, I also think there will be more opportunities around Cheshire as it's close to Liverpool, Manchester etc. Some areas are cheaper too.

My budget isn't huge, around 100k give or take (doing this on my own and my salary isn't brilliant but is ok). I fell in love with an apartment in Little Sutton, Ellesmere Port but it bloody sold, typical! I would prefer to live in a village (would feel like home) that is close to a city centre and preferably North Wales too so I can still visit family/friends often. I'm looking for a flat (2 bedrooms) rather than a house as it will just be me. Shared ownership schemes are a possibility, but not my first choice.

Does anyone have any recommendations for nice areas in Cheshire and surrounding areas? Location is more important to me than the property itself as I can work on that and change it to how I want it eventually.

Thanks

Bumping

I would recommend Northwich, it’s a town not a village but not a very big one. Surrounded by countryside and lots of walks along the river and canal.

It’s got a good town centre that’s had a huge amount of money spent on regeneration with trains to Manchester, Chester and Wales. It’s close to the motorway network so easy to get around.

You can get good sized 2 bed flats within your budget.

Neston is lovely. Found this one

West Vale, Little Neston, Cheshire
www.rightmove.co.uk/property/80119095

Also this one

New Heyes, Neston
www.rightmove.co.uk/property/101938037

Oh thanks very much @MimiSunshine and @mnahmnah for the suggestions, much appreciated. I did look into Northwich before and there are some really nice properties there, in budget too. I never thought of Neston but will definitely take a look. I like the first link you shared @mnahmnah it's difficult because I'm not familiar with Cheshire so I don't know where are nice places to live, safe etc.

It's also a nightmare trying to find a flat where you don't have to pay a service charge 🙄.

It will be difficult to find flats within that budget in ‘nice’ areas in Cheshire. But Neston really is nice. Lovely beaches nearby. Easy links to Chester and Liverpool.

Go to Neston, it's lovely!

I would prefer to live in a village (would feel like home) that is close to a city centre and preferably North Wales too

Neston would be ideal for all of this! Good luck.

@homesweethome7

It's also a nightmare trying to find a flat where you don't have to pay a service charge 🙄.

I’ve never heard of such a thing. A service charge pays for upkeep of the communal areas and buildings insurance.

@Donotgogentle I guess I just got lucky! I don't share a communal area/garden etc in my current flat. It's just up to me to keep on top of the garden which I prefer. Some flats that I've seen are charging a £1000 a year which on top of a mortgage, council tax etc is a lot.

Communal areas are the entrance hall, external doors, stairs etc. The communal utilities like water pipes, meters etc that feed into your flat. Basically anything in the building that provides for all flats.

[quote homesweethome7]@Donotgogentle I guess I just got lucky! I don't share a communal area/garden etc in my current flat. It's just up to me to keep on top of the garden which I prefer. Some flats that I've seen are charging a £1000 a year which on top of a mortgage, council tax etc is a lot. [/quote]
That’s interesting. What about for example paying for repairs to the roof and the buildings insurance?

I’ve owned a conversion flat in half a house, where there was no regular service charge but the lease required me to pay half of all service charges to the freeholder as they arose, rather than as a regular fixed service charge.

Ime proper service charges are the sign of a well maintained block, although it’s important to check it’s managed effectively.

Holt Wrexham is a cute little village 15 min drive to Chester! Good luck

Nantwich in Cheshire East is a delightful market town, very popular and has excellent schools should you need them. There are quite a lot of flats for sale around £100,000. Chester is about 40 minutes away by car or Nantwich has its own train station that runs trains directly to Chester.

I second Nantwich but I'm biased as I live there!

Nantwich is lovely - do trains go directly to Chester now? You used to have to change at Crewe. Easy enough though!

I see someone mentioned Holt, used to live there and lovely village but you’ll struggle for your budget. The tiny little 1 bed terraces are going for 130 to 150 now. You’re paying for the location.
There’s a new Redrow estate in penymynydd and there are shared ownership properties there but no idea on price but might be affordable. I think there is a website for shared ownership in north Wales. I’ve put a link below but not sure if it’s worked or you might have seen it already!

taiteg.org.uk/en/homes/search?bedrooms=&propertyType=&locations=fflintshire&options=property-to-purchase&propertyPrice=

We’re moving to Wales from Frodsham. Frodsham/Helsby would suit you. Very nice location, train to Manchester, Liverpool and North Wales and just off M56 for easy travel back home. Rural feel with lots of walks but lots going on and a vibrant centre in Frodsham. Flats around that budget do come on, there are shared ownership on market in Helsby at the moment but a 100% owned one has just sold. Runcorn, cheaper, not as pretty, but good parts, train station and no tolls for Mersey bridge. All easily accessible to Chester by car or train.