Location location location between Preston and Manchester?

[Tweetypie373]

First time poster here… hello!
Hoping some lovely MNetters can help me with a location conundrum. DH and I currently live and work in manchester, and we’ve decided the time is right to think about starting a family. Our house is fine for now but expect we will quickly grow out of it so when we’re ready to move I’d like like that to be our forever home, somewhere to put down roots, bring up kids and be part of a community. His parents are in Preston and I think I would like to live closer to them for help with child care etc in the future (and we have a great relationship with them), but we will likely both still be working in Manchester.
So the question is where is the best place between Preston and Manchester? Quieter than here but not totally out in the sticks… somewhere with a small high street would be ideal. DH’s parents are in Penwortham which has a lovely high street, that’s the only place I can think of.
Does anybody know of any other places worth thinking about?

Look at Chorley or Leyland area

Would you be using public transport or driving into Manchester? Makes a huge difference, especially with Clean Air Zone coming.

I used to commute by car daily from Salford to Preston - so mostly against the flow of traffic - and that was hell 15 years ago. There's no way I'd do it the other way. Even with the new roads where the A6 meets the M55/M6 there are still some hideous bottlenecks getting on to the motorway network from Penwortham.

Buckshaw.

Would you consider going Ramsbottom/Rawtenstall way?

Nice high streets but maybe a bit far from Preston? Commute would be a bit of a bitch but not as bad as from Preston.

Prestwich? Good transport links into Manchester. Great for kids with lots of parks and good schools

You need to look along the M61 and the Blackpool north Trainline

Isn't Horwich supposed to be quite nice - the surrounding area?

Thanks for all your comments! I guess the commute needs thinking about... DH happy to drive but I would rather have the option of the train. Both of us in office 2-3 days max and the rest of the time at home so at least it’s not 5 days a week anymore!

I’ve not heard much about Horwich before I will look into that. I know of Buckshaw but does it have much in the way of high street or even just a few shops/ cafes/ pub?

Penwortham is very close to preston station so that could still be a good option…

I find buckshaw a bit soulless…
Horwich isn’t bad and would be convenient for older kids. And yes if not too far away Rawtenstall is lovely

Buckshaw is a new build village. There’s a Tesco and Aldi, it’s got a ‘hub’ with a pool and a big primary school. There’s a few pubs, restaurants and a market square bit. It’s also got a station that goes to Manchester and Preston. I don’t live there but I know people who do. One side falls under Chorley, the other South Ribble, which can cause issues with high schools.
Both Horwich and Chorley are very mixed. You might like Euxton, Whittle or Blackrod. Adlington is another option. Rivington pike and the surrounding moorland are beautiful and good if you like the outdoors.

I live in Broadgate, the residential area between Preston station and the river, and would recommend it to anyone. You can walk to the station (and are pretty much guaranteed a seat on the Manchester train). The river and surrounding areas are lovely to walk around and it would be handy for your in laws. We've been here for thirty years, brought our kids up and feel part of a great community.

Only thing is, it is mostly terraced housing, so not many gardens.