Preston / Chorley/ NW area move help!

[Awayanyday]

Hello!

Struggling first time buyer here with a small budget, looking for some local knowledge.

I've been looking tirelessly for about a year now and getting nowhere My search was initially in the NE due to probably best fitted my budget but I just can't find a suitable location.

Wondering if the west might be more suitable (but feel may not have the budget). What I'm really looking for is a outskirts or nearby from a town but also has some decent walks on my doorstep which don't require a drive out.

I come from the SE so am use to larger towns and everything is close by. The NE is obviously a very different landscape and i cant seem to get my head around it. I'm not looking for massive towns / cities anymore but don't mind being on the edge if it offered walks out into some countryside.

Low budget- £170k, has flagged up some very small 2 bed terrace in some locations that on paper look suitable but the housing is too small.

So I started to look at Preston / Chorley and surrounding areas - I don't know the areas at all and aware the reputation doesn't appear great from what I've read (but for £170k I think I have to be realistic). I don't mind if the town is a bit dull, but dont want to feel very unsafe.

I just wanted to ask about decent walks (away from crowds). From what I can see on the map to the east of Chorley Preston there does seem to be some walks (just a short drive). Is this right? Is Chorley a bad option or ok?

Wondered if anyone had any other suggestions or thoughts on the area? Would look at other areas too - looking inland as not really a coastal person and I do like other towns nearby so not in the middle of nowhere.

Schools aren't an issue anymore and I WFH.

Thanks for any advice!

@MargaritaPracticallyCan For such a fantastic cause too, Derian House. Good luck on Saturday x

Thank you. I've been looking into the area and looks like it has what I'm looking for. Thanks for the suggestion!

Thanks. I've been looking at Horwich actually. Looks like it has what I'm looking for!

Aughton is expensive! Good,prices 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

I’d even say wetter and duller than Cheshire, having moved just 30 mins north from Frodsham to Lancashire , 5 years ago…weather this year has been wet, overcast and warm all year…no seasonal feel at all

or maybe that’s down to global warming 😱🤣🤣🤣

Do look also at Cheshire around Warrington and Frodsham Chester area. Transport is great. A little less wet. Depends on where you need to work ….4 national parks within 1.5 hours, good schools etc.

I'm originally from one of the villages between Chorley and Preston but live in London now. The difference in climate can actually be quite significant

I’m the same, moved south but not London. I have only been back a handful of times since I left in the late 70s. The weather is so much drier and brighter where I live now.

Have you thought about Kirkham? It’s a really nice little town and property isn’t too badly priced

Thanks. I did wonder about Warrington but don't know much about the area. I will have a look into the area.

Thanks. I haven't heard of Kirkham....I will have a look into the area.

Hopefully we will see you in Lancashire in the not too distant future. It might be a bit more rainy but there are many plus points! I moved back here a few years ago having lived in London and various other places around the UK. Sometimes you have to go away to really appreciate a place.

It's not in/as near to really nice countryside as some of the other places mentioned IMO.

I would go back in a heartbeat tbh. But my kids are schools across the borough now.

My parents live in the far NW and I live in the SE. My family and I are planning on joining them soon due to the ridiculous house prices down south.

I lived in NW for 5 years prior to moving to the SE and whilst there is a difference in climate I didn’t really notice that much and quickly adjusted. It used to be a much more significant difference than it is now (thanks global warming). I was very happy in the NW and was an active runner at the time so would have noticed if it was that bad!

The far North is nice and cheap - think Carlisle and the surrounding villages, Penrith, Lancaster. All an easy drive to the North Lakes and the Pennines. A bit further to get there from the SE but nothing crazy.