Anyone live in or near Lancaster?

[WanderingTheHills]

Hello,

Potential job in Lancaster so I'm querying what the area is like. Anyone live there that can give me a little insight?

My current role is under threat (restructuring) and not in my profession so I am desperate to get back into my own field. Perfect job came up (a specialist area I have worked towards and always wanted to be in) in Lancaster and I applied, got an interview and withdrew as I'm not sure how to make this work as I have a 15 year old who is due to sit GCSE's in the summer. Job went unfilled and they have re advertised. I got in touch with the manager, and told him my concerns, and has encouraged me to re-apply saying my application was the strongest and that they'd be willing to offer me hybrid working. I'm north east based and, ideally, don't want to relocate 100% at the moment. I have re-applied.

I'm also going through a long divorce which isn't helping all of the above. However, I'm a keen walker so, obviously, love the Lake District and I know that Lancaster is close to the LD. I have even considered Kendal as a place to relocate to or even buy a caravan (or rent somewhere) to give me that second place to stay meaning I can keep my house in the NE. Although, I am not sure if I can afford to buy my stbx out and I don't need a 4 bedroom detached house - most of it is sitting empty and if/when my daughter goes to university, it'll be just me! I feel like I am wasting money (household bills etc.) on a house I don't need. I have a son at university in the north east (who comes home at weekends) but no other family (all RIP). Personally, I'd love a cottage!!!

Can someone give me an insight into the area and any potential places to live that are nice/reasonable. Or, if you can offer any solutions to
my issue then please do! Somewhere with east access to the A66 and Lancaster/Lakes.

I'm a lover of the outdoors so I think the area would suit me. It's the logistics of it though and whether I could make it work being there part time or have to move. Not sure how often the A66 is closed in winter!!

although Morecambe has suffered the same decline as a lot of seaside towns, Eden north has the capacity to change that considerably in the next few years and is incredibly exciting for the area.

there are lots of residential caravan sites in the area, particularly down the A6- maybe that’s an option?

lancaster is a lovely place!

For reference, I'm a 1.5 hour drive from Kendal. I've thought about moving to Barnard Castle to be a bit closer (and my daughter can still get to her school from there).

I've never actually been to Lancaster but I'm staying in Kendal later this week so may venture down to look around.

I used to live in Lancaster. Moved away due to work. Miss it so much! Used to go walking in the Lakes regularly. North Wales and Peak District also easily doable. Hiking in Scotland an easy weekend. I have friends there still so get to visit from time to time which I enjoy.

Penrith has regular trains to Lancaster. Kirkby Lonsdale is nice. Loads of options!

No advice on the area although I have pleasant memories from childhood visits to DGPs static caravan up there, but make sure you write a will if you move there. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/nov/23/how-royal-estates-use-bona-vacantia-to-collect-money-from-dead-people-king-charles

I was at uni in Lancaster and one of the DCs is there now. It’s lovely. It’s a small city with lots of history close to the sea (15 minutes) and close to the Lake District. The city is dominated by the university and is much quieter in the holidays. Housing is cheap as a small northern city.

Hi OP

I'm about 20 minutes away from Lancaster and would definitely recommend it. Close to the lakes and with easy access to cities like Preston and Manchester. This was going to be our first choice to relocate to be close to my in laws.

It's a nice place if you're looking for close connections to main cities without the hustle and bustle of living in the city centre.

Lancaster is nice enough if you like living in a city especially the areas near the hospital. If you’d prefer a village like me, Hest Bank, Bolton-Le-Sands, Halton, parts of Heysham, anywhere in Over Wyre or Garstang if you’d prefer a market town are all lovely.

My colleague commutes from Kendal and traffic can be a nightmare for her but Lancaster traffic is bad in general anyway.

Clitheroe, Whalley, Garstang are nice areas

I like history so it'll be interesting to see what Lancaster offers. I'll take a look when I'm across there later this week. Ideally, I think relocating 100% is not on the cards due to my daughter's exams. She has also applied for 6th form at the same school. If I can manage to work on a hybrid basis for 2.5 years then that'd be best. It would also give me the option of changing roles to the next grade up once she is off to university.

I am thinking of selling the family home (I'll get 50%) which would allow me to buy somewhere smaller outright (we were mortgage free). I also have a lump sum from my pension I can access at 60 (currently 51). I think having a caravan or small cottage or flat would be ideal but then I don't want to pay two lots of council tax etc. I was thinking that, with close proximity to the Lake District, I wouldn't have any trouble getting a caravan to stay in 2 nights a week. Lots to think about.

See why I make of it on Friday!!

I think I'd prefer a village btw so I will check those names out!

I'm thinking of buying a house outright in the north east and having something else on the west side!

It would have to be north of Lancaster due to my north east location.

DS just finished uni in Lancaster, he loved it there.

What’s your budget

Appleby is lovely, just avoid when the horse fair weeks!

Sedbergh is nice too. Kirby Lonsdale you need to be in the know to stand a chance of buying a property!

There are lots of lovely places around but it sounds like you need to decide whether to just commute and have a 2/3 night per week boarding arrangement? I should think that would be fairly easy to find.

Longer term you could decide whether to move over or not when your DD finishes her A levels.

If your DD is doing well at school, I’d definitely recommend applying to Lancaster Girls Grammar School for sixth form, or the boys’ takes girls for sixth form too.

Yep, used to live in Lancaster, it is a nice, small town. Great for access to lakes, Manchester and yorkshire too. If your daughter decides on 6th form, there's lancaster grammar, girls grammar, a number of other schools and a college. There are 2 unis too, so lots of choice.

We are now Grange over sands, which I love. Great village, lots of community, houses cheaper than the lakes. Sea views, cartmel just over the hill, a stones throw from the lake district without being in it, so quieter too. There's a train to Lancaster, when it runs.

If it's a job you really want, go for it.

@rwalker
£250k

What did you think on your visit, OP?

Can your daughter not remain in the NE with your STBXH to finish her exams whilst you make the move?

Somewhere like Carnforth is handy for both Lancaster, the Lakes and M6 access.

I wouldn't be planning to regularly commute via the A66, it's a horrible dangerous road.

I always feel at peace in Lancaster. My only concern is how easy bit would be to create a social life there, it has a closed off feeling I can't put my finger on. But the city itself is so pretty and relaxing IMO.

Have a look at the crime rate. A friends DS is at the Uni and apparently the city is awful at night.

I work in the field and the crime rate is far, far lower and less dangerous than other Northern cities like Liverpool, Manchester, Preston and Blackpool (although that’s not a city). I don’t know about other parts of the country though.

I’d agree that the city in general has got more unpleasant in the last few years though with more homelessness, rubbish from takeaways, XL bullies and electric scooters, I suspect that’s the same in lots of places though.

A few smackheads roaming around the town centre but its not dangerous