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Original poster

Rural area with (infrequent) access to Manchester

88 replies

KievLoverTwo · 26/04/2023 11:40

Hello folks. I wonder if you can help me find areas to look in with the following criteria.

Must have

  • Houses with big bedrooms, two need to be at least 12ft x 12ft (a disability thing)
  • Preferably need another two rooms; one a WFH office + a drying space for me (another disability thing, not just lazy, honest)
  • Moderate level of privacy
  • Access to Manchester on some sort of direct link; it doesn't have to be a 30 minute commute, he's frankly alright with sitting on a train for 2 hours if it means the journey's not stressful, but many changes of connection or trying to park in a car park that never has enough spaces will tip him over the edge and he'll never go in (which he kind of needs if he's ever going to get this promotion). NB: VISITS WOULD BE INFREQUENT. Once a month, a fortnight at absolute most.
  • Internet connection of at least 30MB.
  • Low crime rate

Please be kind. It's not easy living with a partner with autism, they can't just 'put up and shut up' regarding housing needs.

Most new build houses are ruled out. We don't like the lack of privacy with most of them anyway; we're both also autistic so noise sensitivity is a bit of an issue. Generally stuff we've looked at older than 40 years in other counties fit our needs better.

Don't need

  • We're used to living rural. We don't need access to tons of supermarkets, I stock up and plan well.
  • We don't even really need a local shop.
  • We don't need a village with lots of restaurants and lots going on (although having one nearby would be the perfect scenario).
  • We don't need a gas connection or food/takeaway deliveries available to us (we're on oil/used to it).
  • Schools

Would be nice

  • Lovely countryside surrounds.
  • Enough space to not have neighbours six feet away (looking for detached).
  • Enough garden to keep a bored cat happy.

That's it really. Sorry for the wall of text. It's not fun house hunting with him, as much as I love him.

I only really know Rochdale and know that I sort of like it because I once stayed with a friend there, everywhere else is a complete unknown to me.

Budget 350-450k and I think we comfortably need 1400 sq ft but 1700-2000 would be the ideal amount of physical space for my disability (don't need a bungalow, just cannot squeeze past furniture/small kitchen spaces/lift most things, so need to WALK around my furniture, etc).

Thank you :)

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BlueMongoose · 27/04/2023 16:05

NE Lancs you get a lot of bangs for your buck. Clitheroe and its environs is expensive, but the villages south of Pendle Hill, in and around the Blackburn>Burnley>Colne valley, are generally cheaper, and the countryside is fantastic. Your budget should get you a lot here. Check your Manchester links, though. Even from the more remote E end of the valley, there is an express bus to Manchester (the Wizz), but rail you have to change and the Blackburn>Colne line is a bit clunky. Or you could drive to a more direct line. And there's a motorway from Preston to Colne, with a junction between Blackburn and Burnley that gets you south to the Manchester box.

ManchesterGirl2 · 27/04/2023 16:08

Lots of lovely places in the peak district which are commutable to manchester. The tricky part is finiding a house that meets those specs.

Camablanca · 27/04/2023 16:27

Exaspa · 27/04/2023 00:01

I hope you find somewhere suitable but I can't emphasize enough how disappointed we've been with public transport up here, the north west has the worst record for cancelled trains in England.

To the extent that as soon as we find suitable jobs we're now looking to move back to our old location (this is however combined with lousy working conditions and awful colleagues who don't pull their weight).

Where we moved from in the West Country trains might be slow, expensive and hideously full at certain seasons but at least they mostly turn up.

The 'North West' is a big place, with many different lines and train operators. It really depends on the specific line - all you need for work is for that to be reliable.

If you're interested in going anywhere else closer to Manchester has good connectivity with trams, buses etc. I'd never rely on changing trains, or whatever it is that people seem to do. I don't know where in the 'West Country' you live but presumably it's the same? urban areas are more well connected

DanceToTheMusicInMyHead · 27/04/2023 22:10

You are very unlikely to get the size of property you need in your budget in Saddleworth. And Greenfield station has poor disabled access - very little parking immediately outside and no step free access on the return from Manchester. I think Calder Valley and Kirklees sounds a better bet. Or Peak District near Monyash

RandomMess · 27/04/2023 22:22

Villages around Lancaster if a drive or taxi to the station would be ok?

tigerlily0 · 27/04/2023 22:54

Failsworth , chadderton in Oldham, shaw in Rochdale, saddleworth/uppermill

OhMerde · 27/04/2023 23:08

Strictlyfanoftenyears · 27/04/2023 22:05

Show quote history

They're literally on top of each other. The op said she didn't want that.

PauliesWalnuts · 27/04/2023 23:10

Look very carefully where houses are located in Todmorden - it’s in a valley so there’s not much sunlight in many areas, even in summer. Check for signs of moss or green staining on the stone or brickwork. But up on the moors is lovely. I live in the Calderdale line into Manchester - at the moment it’s pretty reliable. Rossendale also a great choice - there’s some lovely rural areas up there, and that Witchway bus means you can come home from Mcr late at night on a Saturday if you fancy a night on the town.

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 28/04/2023 10:06

Worsthorne near Burnley is nice!
Whalley near Clitheroe.
Greenfield/Diggle/Delph in Saddleworth
Marsden
Hayfield in the peaks
I’ve seen todmorden mentioned… alot of tod still only has copper internet, so if your DH needs a good connection for working from home that could be a problem!

ErrolTheDragon · 28/04/2023 10:30

I don't know what the house prices or internet are like, but if he's up for a longer train ride you could maybe look further north around stations on the train line that goes up through Lancaster to barrow - silverdale seems to be under 1.5 hrs for instance. The station is next to an rspb reserve, as quiet and rural as you can get.

pinedpiper · 28/04/2023 10:43

New mills, Disley, whaley bridge

Original poster
KievLoverTwo · 28/04/2023 12:52

Just popping back to say thank you so much for all the time you lovely folks have spent trying to help me. Going into detail about terrible rail services, dampness in valleys, some parts being dodgy or good, and even all the links to all the houses you have taken the time to look up with our specific requirements.

You are good people!

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the options right now, I'm absolutely gobsmacked that there are so many of them. I was completely lost before this week, now I have many, many options. I am now stressing far less.

Sincere thanks to all. May your bank holiday be sunny and enjoyable.

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