Considering a move to South Cumbria

[restingintheshade]

Hope this is the correct forum for my question.
Had family close to Windermere for years so am very familiar with the tourist traps, but have not been back since 2019. I did hear about the influx of visitors after Covid, and the subsequent rise in prices, and that the mood has changed as more younger day trippers are the leading demographic as opposed to the crusty older dog walkers of yesteryear (I am one of them!).
Always heard good things about Grange, Ulverston, etc, too, but don't have a lot of knowledge.

I would like to hear if anyone familiar with the south Lakes could mention any changes up there in recent years? I have read, and heard that the demographic has altered a bit, and that it has become increasingly difficult to locate lettings.

I am free to travel as I work remotely, and am able to take a risk due to renting, but would also prefer to avoid places that have gone downhill. I have heard that Kendal is a lot rougher now, as well as Bowness and Ulverston, and that the speeding/loud/farting cars are a pain in the whatsit..

Any advice? The good, the bad and the ugly are welcome!

My other half thinks we ought to flit to Ludlow, so a lot of thinking to do.

We happily live just off Ulverston town centre. Yes the car's can be a nuisance but it is not a major problem and no bad behaviour goes with it. The town centre is noisy and 'boisterious' at a weekend but no more than it ever was and definitely quieter than when Buffers was open! The police do seem to be around/more active the last few months. Are you up on the new shops as you come in? To us it is still a nice place to live but no banks, new houses being built with no new services planned, library closed owing to work needed but opened area in Coro instead. Pm me if you want more help/info.

Can't help with Cumbria but with your partner on Ludlow! Seriously, plenty of amenities but not swamped even in the height of summer in the way parts of the Lakes are, lovely town that is unlikely to become less lovely or expand hugely because of the geography. Gorgeous scenery on the doorstep, all the hills you could want.

I am not your OH honestly and sure someone more equipped to answer your actual question will be here soon!

Thank you both!

I do love Ludlow, but am very much a northern rain lover at heart. I did feel that Ludlow would allow a bit more 'eccentricity', which would definitely suit me. To my mind it might feel a bit too cut off? although Shrewsbury, as a close alternative, was just too busy for us really.

SIL told us Kendal seems a bit grimmer than previously with more closed shops and drugs, etc. Also some rowdiness in the Windermere area, but would have to visit to see how it feels.

Lots more shops and transport connection in the south Lakes, too.

Property market in Lakes feels 'hostile' but can't put my finger on it. Many lettings are small, grey and ugly, yet the prices have shot through the roof! (£950pcm for a cramped studio next to a car park, badly maintained, etc).

Does it have to be south Cumbria? In north Cumbria there is the Eden Valley. It’s beautiful, a lot less touristy, cheaper housing and all that the Lake District offers is within easy reach.

Further north is tricky, we are also unfamiliar, so would prefer to go where we 'know', if that makes sense? We have family in Chester and that's a good half way point for visiting.

My parents live there. It seems a retirement place with dreadful roads. Spend a lot of time there if you can before commiting

Kendal isn't remotely rough imo (and I'm pretty fussy). It's a nice little place! If you are. Grange is pretty, but very old-fashioned and with quite an elderly demographic. I don't know Ulverston well, but went there recently and it's very nice- it has a bit more of an individual, slightly quirky vibe than other places in the area.

Cartmel and Kirkby Lonsdale are beautiful. There are some nice villages south of Kendal. The Arnsideamnd Silverdale AONB is beautiful too.

By retirement, do you mean Grange?

I'm from Cumbria, currently live in Grange. I love it. I'm not retirement age, and although there are plenty of retirees, there are lots if families now living in the area. We have cartmel (with its michelin stars and lovely pubs) just over the hill, a view of the sea, windermere lake (the top of) 10 minutes drive, the lakes on our doorstep without the crowds. Ulverston and kendal are 20 mins away. My kids can happily hop on the train or bus, safely, to see friends, school or work.

My sons live in ulverston, I really like it there. Prefer it to kendal. But kendal is lovely too. Definitely not rough.

Kendal has a hidden drug problem. But so does everywhere else. It's not remotely rough. It's a very pleasant, affluent town with a lot going on. We live up nearer Penrith and treat Kendal as our 'big town'. It's always a delight to visit, and I'd be happy to live there - and we almost did. I'd also be very happy in Grange, Ulverston, Cartmel, Kirkby Lonsdale, Arnside or any of the Eden Valley villages (or Penrith!).

Living in or around Windermere (Bowness) would drive me insane in high tourist season.

Thanks for the new comments.

I mention Kendal as the last time I went through on a train the station was shabby. Not how I remembered it, groups of men evidently wasted, etc, and I don't mean tourists on a booze fest!
I just don't know, and since my current town went to hell quickly, I am wary.

I absolutely LOVE Grange. I have little experience of it but visited as a child and always felt that it was home. Never considered it much. I just feel low on confidence that we could find a good rental there.

Rentals in Grange are hard to come by as there's limited housing stock. But to be honest, rental is difficult anywhere in Cumbria. I did spot an over 55s flat for rent earlier, but no idea of your age and requirements.

Kendal is not rough 😂

The rental market is insane though. You’d be unlikely to find a rental in Kendal, and would need to widen the search a bit more.

I agree, kendal is not at all rough. There are maybe 2 or 3 streets I wouldn't particularly want to live on. Of course there are some people with drug problems, but it's no different than any other place.

That's good to hear about Kendal!

I know the rentals are few and far between, especially now. Back in 2018 there were far more and more appropriately priced. Covid seemed to sent it through the roof, and many are now grotty and a bit cheeky considering the cost.

I really loved that little market, and the low skies

In comparison, Ludlow seems so 'flat' to me, albeit with more settled weather. I have been visiting for many years and do love it.

Ultimately, I think we need somewhere where we are not being ripped off, and where we can find something less harsh and urban. I do think the south lakes are stupidly expensive for what you get on the rental market.

I live near Kirkby Lonsdale and all the places you have mentioned are good towns that I would happily live in. There is a real lack of rental properties in these parts. A lot of rentals do not even make it on to Rightmove as the agents have plenty of interest on their books already. A lot of local landlords use local Facebook pages and notice boards in village shops to advertise rentals. Word of mouth is how a lot of things operate. In my village there has recently been a few ex AirB&Bs looking for longer term tenants. Might be worth investigating this route? I think initially, where you can find a half decent rental might dictate where you live?

One thing to be aware of is how traffic moves in and around the South Lakes in the spring and summer and where all the traffic hotspots are. I guess it depends how much you need to get about in the car though? I actually avoid going into the popular parts of South Lakes in the summer months. Not just because of the roads but the car parks can also get very busy. I find it easier traffic wise being on this side of the M6 (western dales) although the A65 has its moments too. I often pop into Kendal but park and walk in before the one way system starts on the south side of town so that I don't get caught up in queueing all the way through and round Kendal. If I lived in Kendal this would drive me mad! I guess it's all relative though? If you currently live in a big busy city you will probably wonder what I'm fussing about 😁

Thanks.
I wonder if it is as difficult to find properties in Ludlow?

Sorry just noticed my post could read that more police are needed cos of more problems. It is rather that more police seem to have been allocated to us and are more involved in the town and its activities than previously.