Which town to choose?

[TheLastScone]

Also in 'chat' - I was advised to post here, hope that's ok!

Any help or advice appreciated.
Due to work, we have two choices and a move to make. We are currently in the north west and will be renting for 1 or 2 yrs. Not a huge commitment for the time being but still v important.
Offer one is a lovely cottage in Shrewsbury just outside the town in Belle Vue. The other is just outside the centre of Ambleside in Cumbria. So both houses are similarly placed and convenient, and both are equally attractive to us.

But such different places! I have visited both frequently in my life and am aware of most differences, but we can't figure out which to go with. I appreciate Shrewsbury would have more going on, more access to stuff, etc, but very busy. Ambleside will be chock full of tourists and the roads might be hell.
We love nature and would prefer semi rural but for the time being this is our lot. We don't have kids so no school concerns and I wfh.

Any experience? The good the bad and the ugly?? wwyd?

Also have just looked at rentals for Ambleside . Only 1 available , and it's an annexe to a house , 1 bed only £650 pcm . Don't know what your looking for but I'm assuming not something like that.
Around that area most lets will be holiday / abnb as they know they can get top prices for weekly lets nigh on every week.

@TheLastScone you won't avoid some social issues anywhere 'nice' OP, nor traffic- we live in Bath and have some here. - anywhere nice and relatively well to do attracts it- and we've lived in everywhere from Canterbury to Oxford to Windsor to Bristol to Bath and London

I'm not a fan of the lakes apart from the odd couple of days visit , lovely to look at but would hate to live there.

Shrewsbury is a great compromise- we rent too by the way. I honestly think not having much practical stuff on the doorstep in lakes would annoy after a while- well it would be if I'm honest- you may be different.

I have had experience of areas becoming so sadly depressed/deprived in the north west and would prefer to avoid any social issues.
Here's a list of happiest places. How about Macclesfield?: happy, not too expensive and on the doorstep of the Peak District.

(I know nothing about Macclesfield; I'm sat here waiting for someone to say that it is an absolute hole. )

Thanks again!
We have been offered places to live via 2 private landlords thanks to DP's work contacts, not on right move. Both are two bed cottages with a small garden, very nice and away from busy roads.

Well I love McDonald and Dodds!!!
Yeh, my biggest issue with the lakes is the climate, I'm just not a windswept waterproof lover at all.

@TheLastScone I get the vibe that overall you would be happier in Shrewsbury - go with your gut!!

Shrewsbury-you can easily visit N Wales which is still backpacks and doggy vibe rather than chi chi hotels. Lovely town centre and great villages and walking within easy reach. Good train station for travel to anywhere. Oswestry is a pleasant town too. Much Wenlock nice to visit. Shropshire very underrated imo.

I love Ambleside but I would never consider living there.

Op if you are on FB try joining "For the love of Shrewbury" and "For the love of Shropshire" they are really welcoming groups with lots of info with events going on in town and the surrounding areas. I don't think you will regret moving here and good luck with your choice x

Will do that, thank you!

Definitely Shropshire, less rainy, fewer tourists!