Relocating to the North West

[Looweesie]

We’re relocating to the North West and need advice around nice areas to live. I’m from South Manchester originally, however, we may need to be within commuting distance of Preston (upto 40 mins). We need to be south of Preston, and ideally somewhere with good transport links to Manchester or Liverpool.
We currently live in quite a built up area so wanting to move somewhere more suburban but still with things going on for families and a nice park would be ideal! Any tips would be much appreciated!

I grew up in ley land and went to Clayton le woods primary. A number of my classmates children go there now.

www.clayton-le-woods.lancs.sch.uk/about-us

I would say either leyland or Chorley would fit your needs? Or penwortham

We do have access to a car, however, would also prefer rail access if possible! Very conscious how busy the M6 is but then again the rail links aren’t much better I suppose. We used to live in central Warrington but now need more family friendly areas!

Penwortham is lovely if that's an excuse commute to work?

I think you will find things difficult without a car, even just for day-to-day things. Public transport is just not as plentiful or joined up as it is in London.

Appley Bridge and Standish are nice small towns on the edge of Wigan with easy access to the M6 being either side. Appley Bridge has a station though getting to Preston requires a change and a change of station in Wigan.
Lots of beautiful villages Parbold / Burscough and around but maybe not so good for commuting.
The southern suburbs of Warrington would be a hard commute either by train or road.

40 mins commuting time definitely rules out south of the ship canal (so Grappenhall, Thelwall, Northwich and Appleton. You'll never do it. You'll be pushing it even in off peak traffic. And I think you might well be pushing it for Irlam.

Realistically you need to be north of Wigan (though its 11mins by train from Wigan). Ormskirk is roughly 40mins in good traffic (35 mins by train too) so keep that in mind - even thats going to be pushing it.

Lots of nice villages in that area but I do think you need to look considerably closer to Preston than a fair number of suggestions on this thread.