Preston - where to live?

[KidneyBeans]

Yes I know Preston isn't the most desirable location! But I need help!

Ideally close to good rail links
Easy access to the university
Traditional property or bungalow
Schools not an issue
Nice area
Close to good dog walks
Easy access to countryside
Easy access to the North

Budget around 200k could go higher
3 beds plus

Looked at Avenham/riverside
But wondering about central location versus further away and commuting in

Would be splitting time between Preston and Scotland so want to minimise time spent commuting where possible.

Help please!

Fulwood, the top end towards Jct 32.
Preston isn't that big so you're not too far away from any of the things. It's really well connected too, ie W Coast Mainline up to Scotland, M6, M65, M61, A6, A59....
You say it isn't that desirable but it's a friendly little city with some tatty bits. The city centre has been praised for the approach to maintaining the businesses (The Preston Model) and there is some really lovely countryside around it.

@BobbinThreadbare123

Fulwood, the top end towards Jct 32. Preston isn't that big so you're not too far away from any of the things. It's really well connected too, ie W Coast Mainline up to Scotland, M6, M65, M61, A6, A59.... You say it isn't that desirable but it's a friendly little city with some tatty bits. The city centre has been praised for the approach to maintaining the businesses (The Preston Model) and there is some really lovely countryside around it.

Yes thanks Bobbin - and you're right I shouldn't have said that. It's just that I've posted on here before and got critical responses so was just trying to pre-empt that! I'm actually from a post-industrial town and really quite like Preston.

Fulwood sounds good. Does it have parks/dog walks? Could I walk/cycle to uni?

I'm pretty unfamiliar with Preston apart from the train station and avenham/winckley square area so any info would be great

I'm not from Preston either, I just know it well. I grew up somewhere a lot shitter than Preston
Fulwood does have parks etc. There's also the Guildway cycle route built in 2012 which goes round almost the whole city (look up Preston Guild - once in every 20 years!)
You could walk/cycle in to the uni - it's a straight run down Garstang Road really. Decent walk, not long cycle (I have cycled it but I can't remember how long it took me...15 mins?)
Another nice place is Penwortham, at the south of Preston.
There's been a spectacular amount of house building going on in recent years, especially in the northern part of the city. I think developers have seen how well connected it is and it attracts people who don't want to pay some of the Manchester house prices!

Thanks that's helpful.

I'm quite keen on the traditional old style townhouses (not many of them I know!) or failing that I love a good bungalow!

I dislike identikit estates with no amenities so would want to avoid that - prefer somewhere more characterful

I've just discovered Sharoe brook thanks to your information and that looks like a great dog-romping spot but it does seem as if the north of Preston has a lot of new build estates

I’m from Preston. Penwortham is where you need to be. It’s close to the station, lovely walks by the river and round Avenham Park. The main high street has nice places to eat and there is a good choice of outstanding schools.
Fulwood is also nice but further out and less there.
Avenham is nice in areas but also a bit rough around the edges, likewise Riverside/Broadgate. I personally like both those areas but if you go across the river you have better facilities and lower crime rates.

Hope that helps x

So I live near Preston, in one of the little villages further out (proper old school village with 1 pub 1 school and shop) but am 15 mins to the centre driving. My husband cycles through penwortham to the train station in max 25 mins (that's uphill too). So you don't need to be in the centre to be close.

I second full wood and Avenham, also Penwortham, Hutton, Longton etc but the latter two are more countryside esque.

Penwortham high street has fab bars and restaurants now, and nice parks nearby too.

Ooh! Peneortham sounds good - thank you! Will have a look

@Ozberry

Where is the high street in penwortham please? Is it lower or higher Penwortham?

On the A59

@Ginfilledcats

On the A59

Thank you

The main high street is Higher Penwortham- Liverpool Road. Higher Penwortham is a bit posher but lower Penwortham is nice too 😃

This is in a fab location - the gardens on that road are so long too. They are lovely! It’s a bit over your budget but it was reduced in November so there may be wriggle room if you liked it

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/72328761

Or if you like a bungalow, Victoria Road is a gorgeous street in Fulwood - very desirable and leafy. The blossom trees down there are spectacular and you’re close to Moor Park for the dog walking. (I still prefer South of the river but lived in Fulwood for about 10 years)

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/87478066

Penwortham is really looking lovely with the outside seating at the bars and coffee shops. The new stretch of ring road diverting round it has made it quieter traffic wise.
There’s a small Sainsbury’s and Tesco there too.
Lovely walks along the river.

Ooh! Thanks all

I'd not really looked at Penwortham due to it being the opposite side of the city from Scotland but it sounds as if it might actually be a good fit.
Would you say nicer than the riverside/avenham area?

Another vote for Penwortham
Also Fulwood is nice

Penwortham has more of a ‘village’ feel than avenham / riverside as it’s out of the city but so very close. It has (as had been said) it’s own high street. Lovely bars and restaurants. But minutes from the city centre by car or bike.
I’m in a village west of Preston but as we have a train station, I’m just a 10 minute journey from the centre of ‘town’ (still can’t get used to it being a city even though it’s been a long time now!).
We’re also a friendly bunch round here
I believe there are plans to re-open some of the small local district lines into Preston main railway station but can’t remember where they are.
Wherever you are in the vicinity there are great parks but Avenham and the river is really beautiful.
So, all that said. Do look at higher penwortham. There are lots of traditional houses as well as a plethora of new estates.

@KidneyBeans

Ooh! Thanks all

I'd not really looked at Penwortham due to it being the opposite side of the city from Scotland but it sounds as if it might actually be a good fit.
Would you say nicer than the riverside/avenham area?

Most definitely.

Penwortham is closer to the town centre than some areas of Preston. Don’t let the river fool you !

Yeah, lots nicer than Avenham/Riverside, but still in the PR1 postcode area. It’s easy enough to get to the uni too - there’s 3 bridges across the river from Penwortham, so it’s really not an obstruction!