Help me know what Market Harborough is really like

[McFerry]

Help
Im currently living in Yorkshire Dales but we are thinking of moving back down south to be nearer relatives who are also looking to move to Market Harborough. We have been to the area but only visiting.

Can you help me with the stuff you wouldnt know unless you lived there. Is it as lovely as it looks. Is there plenty to do for all ages and what should we avoid are there any rough areas.

Briefly looking at the housing there seems to be a good range both in whats available and price. Are there any places that might be good for our parents in their early 60s.

We are really positive about the move and just want to get a bit more knowledge before we put our property on the market. We have also booked a couple of days in an Airbnb in a couple of months to actually see what is like. Is there anything you would recommend we check out.

Many thanks for reading and responding it is so appreciated.

It's true that it's incredibly white and non-diverse but the same could be said about a lot of the rest of the UK outside of cities.

It's also, sadly, true that it's very much a Tory stronghold.

I'm one of the reviled ex-Londoners apparently single handedly responsible for the house prices so perhaps I'm coming from a different perspective of those that grew up here but I really enjoy living here and I've lived in a lot of different places.

MH is too busy for us, we find Oakham and Stamford more our vibe and we live in a small village between them.
But if I needed a big town MH is the best locally.
I wouldn’t live in Oadby or Wigston if you paid me though, but I hate Leicester (work there, wouldn’t live there).

I’m a white Conservative though so I don’t find that a negative 😉

oh of course it’s not the only white Tory enclave - there are many other places in the UK that could be described like that. I don’t care about ex Londoners - my parents moved from London to MH but I moved back to London as soon as I hit adulthood. Every time someone posts about leaving London to bring up kids in a market harborough-like idyll I want to scream DON’T DO IT! But everyone’s different. I can see MH’s appeal more now I’m an adult than I could as a kid (still wouldn’t go back though)

Thanks everyone Im also from London originally and have lived all around the country so not bothered about that side at all. I just enjoy being in nice places with nice people and from the majority of the responses this seems to include Market Harborough.

I much prefer Oadby and Wigston. MH definitely has a white Tory Voter vibe. But I live in a very diverse city so maybe that's what puts me off living in places like MH.

Thank you

Maybe because it's because I grew up in a place a lot like Harborough that it feels comforting to me. I left where I grew up as soon as I could though and never went back - living in huge cities for 15 years. But there were people I grew up with stayed and love it so I just think everyone wants different things.

Thanks ive lived in cities and rural areas and there are different places for the different times of your life and a change is what is now needed.

It sounds like I may end up also being an ex Londoner! Hopefully not reviled

These are options but a little further out from family than we would like ideally

I'll look into these areas if MH doesnt work out. I dont see any problems with it being a con area

Thanks this is really helpful. It does sound just what we hoped it would be.

What is wrong with those particular areas if you wouldn't mind expanding a little so I have a better understanding

Oakham is very up market if that's your thing. Very near to Rutland Water though which is lovely for a stroll or bike around.

Yes just had a look at the houses. Seem nice but sticking with MH first and will look at other areas if we eliminate that. We want to be near to Northampton family and it's a much shorter drive from MH.

I agree with others who have pointed out that MH is very white & Tory. In that respect, it is no different to other relatively affluent, middle-class towns in this part of the country. Newark, Oakham, Ashbourne, Ashby de la Zouch etc etc are similar.

If it’s diversity you’re looking for, you will find plenty in Leicester, 15 miles up the A6. It’s one of the most diverse cities in Europe.

I live in Northampton but am not from here. I used to meet my dad in Market Harborough with DD when she was small. It has a fantastic park and the houses looked lovely. The town itself had a few good shops but ones that have mostly closed elsewhere so likely here too. It had great charity shops, we used to get DD a treat from one of them every time.

I'd live there from what I saw but it's not a "happening" place. I think people go there to retire.

If you're moving all the way for family, I'd move a bit closer. It's quite a trek to be doing often, in that it's far enough to go ugh! Unless you want to be quite far to maintain a distance.

Umm higher crime rates... less desirable neighbours really, I really wouldn't want to live there and I don't live in a posh bit (as I'm a local so can't afford a nice house)

Thanks

Thanks sounds perfect for the parents

Exactly that's why we're trying to find somewhere we all like it's currently a 5 hour journey

Did you end up making the move ? We moved here over summer from London. I am from Yorkshire too. You will not regret it one bit if you move here. I’ve just done a post on my experience of market Harborough as our new forever home so feel free to check it out.

PM me too if you have questions.

It has lots of stuff going on for all ages. We live in Little Bowden, 15 min walk to the town centre and train station. Has a great mix of retirees and young families. Town centre is pretty, quaint and full of independent shops and cafes. Some high street shops such as jigsaw, white company etc but all upmarket. Lots of supermarkets all grouped together right by the town centre so it means town is often busy with a nice buzz to it. Plenty of walks , canal tow paths and country. Brilliant schools, loads of toddler and baby activities, sports etc for primary aged kids. Teenagers here seem happy and grounded. Low crime rate. It’s a peaceful and nice life here.

Good luck