Is there anywhere near Manchester where it doesn't rain?

[BonnesVacances]

We used to live in the NW but moved to Hampshire. Now for various reasons we're considering moving back up. But the reason we left in the first place was because of the amount of rain.

We were in Rossendale which admittedly is a valley so it got more rain than usual. But it was so drizzly all the time and DS developed a respiratory issue because of the constant damp.

But we really like being near Manchester, so where is near Manchester but has reasonably good weather? Neither of us is from either area so we don't have any attachment to any particular area. Just looking for somewhere new to settle.

Points to consider:

Budget would be £450k for a 4 bed detached house with parking. We'd be WFH so commuting isn't a factor.
When I say near, I just mean close enough for it not to be a big expedition to pop into Manchester for shopping or a night out.
Driving in is fine. Though public transport would be helpful for DC.
Schools not an issue as DC will be at uni.
Not in the middle of nowhere. I don't do rural!
Doesn't rain all the time!

I live south of Manchester in Altrincham. It’s always chucking it down. It’s dreadful. Am I living in a different universe to you??

Stockton Heath, Grappenhall, Lymm etc are all lovely. The town centre, not so much..

In Park And Ride by the journalist Miranda Sawyer she talks about her childhood in Wilmslow and it was always raining. Her mum's conversation was interspersed with "Ooh I'd better nip out and get that washing in."

The Wirral! Property is much cheaper and we allegedly have a microclimate being by the coast and sheltered by by the Welsh hills.

@whirlyhead well everything is relative! I don't think it rains that much round here....

Sandbach is nice, as is Macclesfield....

Somebody's already mentioned Chester and Wirral, but you'll get more for your money just over the border in North East Wales.

I'm south of the city near the airport. It certainly rains. But it's not that persistent drizzle that you imagine all of Manchester gets lol. Cheadle, Heald Green, Gatley etc. All really well connected to city centre. Great schools. Lots of green spaces. Decent food and drink options. a four bed detached would be probs a new build. But there's some great period semis that you could. Afford.

There's some nice little market towns in Cheshire if you don't mind bring a bit further out. Northwich is closest to Manchester. Nantwich is probably the prettiest. Middlewich ok too. Or off the M56 look at Frodsham or Lym

And it gets loads of snow!!!

Not preston
< looks out window >

Budget of 450k for a 4 bed detached with parking in those areas?!

No chance.

I live in Trafford and I can't say I've noticed the rain that much, maybe I've got used to it!

If you want a 4 bed detached for £450k, I think a lot of Manchester will be out. Certainly, south Manchester and all of Trafford borough.

You'd probably have to move 'out' to find something for that price, but then you'll be moving more rural eg parts of Bury, Macclesfield.

Lymm
Culcheth
Tyldesley

All easy to get into Manchester from and more of a rural feel to them.

Depends where in Sandbach you are. I personally prefer Sandbach to Congleton. Macclesfield can be a bit local town for local people in comparison.

Sandbach is a bit middle of nowhere but train station links to Manchester. Town centre is nice.

Its South Manchester / Cheshire on a tiger budget imo.

Nice Warrington on budget. Look towards North East. Glazebury, Culcheth etc. North of ship canal.

You won't get what you want south of it.

Otherwise look further out in Cheshire from Knutsford (Northwich, Congleton or Sandbach) or go completely the other direction North or East of Manchester (but the rain is worse) to match your budget.

Or adjust your expectations over the house. Prices are crazy right now around Manchester.

I’m 10 miles south of Manchester towards the Derbyshire border

it honestly isn’t very rainy here and been here for about 15 years. Yesterday it rained quite a lot but the last few months really have been very dry.

it notably is 3-4 degrees cooler than the south east though I will admit

Another vote for York. I live near York in Harrogate and honestly, we never get extreme weather. We can go multiple years without a thunderstorm or snow. Rain is semi-rare I'd say. It's always just.....mild!

Also York is a STUNNING city! So so much medieval history and things to do. It's my favourite city in the UK

If you look around it's still possible.

Following on. Posted too quick

It's still possible to get a four bed detached

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/124304777#/?channel=RES_BUY

This ones a stones throw from our SK postcode. Same amenities and school,catchment. But it's an M22 postcode so is much better value.

Following on. Posted too quick

It's still possible to get a four bed detached

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/124304777#/?channel=RES_BUY

This ones a stones throw from our SK postcode. Same amenities and school,catchment. But it's an M22 postcode so is much better value.

Not sure why people are still recommending towns miles from Manc. Unless they just want to tell everyone how marvellous it is where they live, in the hope of making it more desirable? The OP may have very good reasons for wanting to live close to the city. Maybe she has teenagers who want to go into the city for shopping and gigs. Why recommend York or the Wirral or north Wales? The Wirral would work for Liverpool but not Manchester.

Congleton and Sandbach have come up a few times. The nearest large towns/cities to those places are Crewe and Stoke on Trent. They are very different to the cities. Manchester is a long journey. It takes almost an hour to travel by train from Sandbach to Manchester Piccadilly by train and it costs £15. A train ticket from York to Manchester costs more than £30 and takes an hour and a half. How is that practical for the OP?

Not Wigan. You’d easily get the house you want but it’s not a great place. Only advantage is it’s a stop on WCML and it is decent motorway connections.
<sighs mournfully>

My husband grew up in North Manchester and I did in South Manchester. Spent 18 years sodden! We are in London now but have considered returning a few times. The reason we have never and won’t ever go back is because of the rain. The realisation when we moved down here that it doesn’t rain every day was amazing. Sounds crazy but it would be too depressing for us. Manchester is a lovely city with lovely people but the rain is a deal breaker.

York is nice - but it’s not Manchester.

What is it about Manchester that you love?

(speaking as someone who grew up near Rossendale, and has no desire ever to return again!)