Peterborough, Leicestershire, Rugby, Leeds, Huddersfield, Derby, Mansfield (Nottinghamshire)

[Eve1989]

Hello all,

I am sooooo confused. I have made post previously about moving out of London next year but the more I research on where to move to, the more confused I become.

I have listed the areas I would like to move to above. The only area above where I have family is in Yorkshire.

My budget is £260 max and I would like a 3 bedroom. I have an 8 year old son and I would like him to engage in activities such as football because he is already playing.

I don't mind any of the areas and I am not fussy about restaurants etc because I am a homely person.

Please someone should advise me. I just want somewhere good where I can settle.

Many thanks

Well, we’re happy in Peterborough. 8yo DS only does after school clubs but there are plenty of proper clubs around.

The river is pretty and Ferry Meadows country park is a great resource.

There are scummy types in the city centre but I suppose there are everywhere.

I’d recommend looking at the areas of Woodston, Fletton and around Botolph Bridge. Or Hampton if you like new builds.

That’s a pretty big range of places you’ve listed - any reason why not Leeds and Sheffield too?

Steer well clear of Mansfield.

Newark in Nottinghamshire is great. Super pretty, quick train to London, not quite far enough north to be a Bit Grim (sorry, not sorry). One of a chain of lovely coaching towns through the East Mids. I would live there, but I already live 20 minutes away.

Just starting to go up fast now so would move quickly.

Definitely do not move to Mansfield though

I’d recommend looking at the areas of Woodston, Fletton and around Botolph Bridge. Or Hampton if you like new builds.

I'd add Cardea/Stanground (closer to Fletton end) to that list. And the surrounding towns and villages like Market Deeping, Glinton, Yaxley, Farcet and Whittlesey.

I've lived in Peterborough all my life, its got that "worst place in Britain to live" label, but it's far from bad. Plus has a direct train line into London and up North, easy to get onto the A1 etc.

As pp said, Ferry Meadows is a beauty spot with plenty of resources.

There are loads of children's football teams: Werrington has a pretty good team, Powerleague at Stanground offer clubs etc.

Have you been to Mansfield or Huddersfield op? Quite a shock to the system if moving from London... I'd suggest the bigger cities if you can afford anything

Well, Leeds and Huddersfield are very diverse, excellent parts and less than nice parts.

What will you do for work? Any other requirements? Football teams are everywhere, so I wouldn’t see that as an issue in any area.

You could get a three bed in both Leeds and Huddersfield for £260, but it would likely be in a better area in Huddersfield as it’s cheaper.

Came on to say give Mansfield a swerve but see several pp beat me to it!

@BigMamaFratelli

Came on to say give Mansfield a swerve but see several pp beat me to it!

Hahaha I am glad I mentioned Mansfield because my friend told me it's a good place. But, that's why I have come here because I need ideas.

@JennyForeigner

Definitely do not move to Mansfield though

Thanks a lot. This is helpful. I will take it off my list.

I personally wouldn't consider Peterborough or Mansfield. If you have family in Yorkshire I would head that way.

@MinnieMountain

Well, we’re happy in Peterborough. 8yo DS only does after school clubs but there are plenty of proper clubs around.

The river is pretty and Ferry Meadows country park is a great resource.

There are scummy types in the city centre but I suppose there are everywhere.

I’d recommend looking at the areas of Woodston, Fletton and around Botolph Bridge. Or Hampton if you like new builds.

I have looked at Hampton Vale. But what of Thorney? Is it any good? Thanks a lot

Leicestershire is quite a big place.

Do you want to be able to get back to London easily? (I'm asking because you've put Rugby). Personally I'd go for Leeds or, as suggested Sheffield. Again they're both big places! I think you'll be able to find somewhere fit your DS to play football in most places.

Have you considered Northamptonshire? Some of the towns (Kettering, Wellingborough, Northampton) have decent train links into London if needed.

This house is on the Ise Lodge estate in Kettering:

house

This is the local primary school:

school

This is the local football club:

football

We lived in that area for 10 years and have family still living there now. Generally a fairly safe area. Lots of families with children. I wont oversell it to you, you will find prettier places.

Yorkshire is huge! Where are your family.

I’m originally a Londoner, but have had a Huddersfield address for over twenty years. I’ve worded it like that because I don’t actually live in the town, but in an outlying village. If you are happy with countryside, but “busy” countryside/semi rural, then look at the villages around HD8 - Denby Dale/Shepley/Clayton West kind of area and also Marsden/Meltham/Slaithwaite and Holmfirth.

I’m in an HD8 village.
There is a good balance of schools/
activities/house prices/transport.

Lots of grassroots football, cricket, rugby. Local swimming pool with a club. Tennis club not far. Cubs/Scouts. Archery. Lii oh yes of dance schools. Art Clubs, Athletics, music schools. Cycling clubs, horse riding. Pretty much every activity my dc have bee interested in, we’ve found a club for (they are 10 and 13).

First/middle/high school system (yR-5; Y6-8; , Y9-11 plus sixth form) which is universally adored by parents and pupils alike because it seperates the really grotty teenagers from the prepubescents - every school in the system is Good or Outstanding.

Easy access to Leeds, Sheffield,Manchester for city culture. Nearest biggish hospital 15 mins away in Barnsley deals with most stuff.

Ok public transport.

Twenty min drive to Wakefield Westgate train station, then 2 hrs to LKX.

Downside is, it’s not diverse at all. And also a bit of a hike to the nearest beach!

you’d get 3 beds for £260K

In Huddersfield itself - Almondbury, Lindley and Marsh are nice; Fixby and Birkby less so. It’s not a bad town really, big new leisure centre, very proud of its industrial and civic heritage (home of Harold Wilson, industrial revolution, birthplace of rugby!); in normal times, lots of food/music/Caribbean etc festivals.

What about Loughborough or the north Leicestershire towns - quorn / barrow or Sileby ? Trains to London from Loughborough- good distance to both Leicester and nottingham

I’m with you there @Cheeseycheeseycheesecheese. DH is from Peterborough and I’ve been there for 19 years.

I’ve only ever passed through Thorney OP. A colleague is happy there with her teenaged daughter. Buses to Peterborough fare every 30 minutes at best along a busy road, so not so good for your DS’s independence.

@MinnieMountain

I’m with you there *@Cheeseycheeseycheesecheese*. DH is from Peterborough and I’ve been there for 19 years.

I’ve only ever passed through Thorney OP. A colleague is happy there with her teenaged daughter. Buses to Peterborough fare every 30 minutes at best along a busy road, so not so good for your DS’s independence.

Thanks a lot. I would like my son to sit for the grammar schools, I think is linked to Lincolnshire. I heard that it's a travel distance from Peterborough. I am not sure if the schools in Peterborough itself are good. Thanks

For grammars in the Peterborough area you'd need to look at Lincolnshire: Deepings, Spalding, Bourne, Grantham. Some of these are bus-able from certain areas of Peterborough. Peterborough itself has King's, not a grammar but very good school (at least it was) and requires an entry exam, if your son has a musical talent he'll be more likely to get in.

As with most areas Primarys are mixed, it can be very hard to get a place locally in Hampton due to lack of spaces, so bear that in mind if it's an in-year placement.

I agree - avoid Mansfield. Other areas of Nottinghamshire are really nice though. Someone mentioned newark - I agree. It’s nice, house prices are ok and they’ve lots going on for kids football with new facilities.

You would struggle to get into a Lincs Grammar from Peterborough (except Kings) anymore. Have you considered further out- Bourne/ Market Deeping way.

Well I live in the Colne Valley in Huddersfield - that covers Marsden, Slaithwaite, Linthwaite, then you've got the Holme Valley very close so Holmfirth, Honley, Meltham sort of places. All lovely. They feel both rural and villagey, but not too far from civilization. We're very happy here. You'd easy get a 3 bed in these areas with a 250k budget, schools are generally good, it's easy enough to get to Leeds/Manchester via A62 or M62, Slaithwaite and Marsden are both on the train line for both cities. I actually work in Leeds although I'm obviously working most of the time from home these days.

Rugby has the grammar schools but it’s extremely competitive a lot of people move here from London having done prep privately it’s also extremely popular with the logistics humps workers locally so there’s an awful lot of single man who rent rooms in the area not particularly families. Very transient that’s the word I’m looking for

there’s an awful lot of single man who rent rooms in the area not particularly families
Seriously? Maybe in the town center of Rugby to a certain extent, but Hillmorton, Bilton, Coton Meadows, Cawston, Houlton are all stuffed with families. And there are definitely football teams for children.

You need to work out what’s most important to you before you start getting into the specifics of bits of areas OP or you’ll get overwhelmed with choice (as you suggest you are!)

Do you want to be near your family? Are you planning on commuting to London still? I know you say the house is important but that is the least relevant point as that’s available everywhere.