Moving to Manchester - and I have no idea where to go. HELP ME PLEEEEAAAASE

[Ohforfoxsake]

So, we are going to Manchester, DP has a job in Salford.

So far I have investigated Altrincham but the LEA have told us that its highly unlikely the children would get into the same school. Its really important to me that they do as they are upping sticks and leaving all their friends behind. I don't mind home educating until places come up, but not as a long term solution.

Or, we could move further out and move out from the city (currently in London so that appeals). If DP can do a maximum one hours commute, its possible.

We have 4 DCs so want to base our search around good schools - they are in primary at the moment, but will soon be in Secondary and we don't really want to move twice, so we'd like to get it right first time round.

I am stumped and have no idea where to look. Any suggestions, words of wisdom or pointers would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you

I am going out in Hale on Saturday, will report back.
What I can remember, that is

Bit worried by Serin's post now though!

Just avoid red wine.

Its all pints of mild up there innit?

You cheeky mare!

(Snakebite, natch)

Ha! Its Snakebite and black here.

Far more sophisticated

Yep, stick to Sarf Manchester, you'll be a fish out of water with your poncey black, missus

You watch out for those trams on Friday night.

And wear a coat. You northerners never wear coats on a night out. Or tights. I've seen you ....

Saturday, even

I'll be fine in my neon pink boob tube, white stilettoes and ass skimming skirt.
Corned beef legs are the dogs round these parts dontcha know!

Sounds lush.

How's the house-hunting going? Have you done your reccy yet?

Sorry Lobsterlass, wasn't ignoring you, just checked this in my 'watched'.

No, not househunting yet. Reccy is in April, and I will most certainly resurrect this thread at the time.

I just want to get on with it!

Thanks for asking

Ohforfoxsake - are you interested in pooling info? We are thinking of moving to Manchester too! We have three dc's and our eldest will be off to secondary soon (in yr 5 now). My dh is from Manchester, we live in Surrey now and are lucky enough to have a great school and are almost crime free. So, it's going to be hard to find somewhere as idylic.

We are planning to go op and stay with PIL's at Easter and have a good look around.

Hi Magnacarta - we are going up in Easter also

Certainly up for sharing knowledge and info. Have you got any idea of the areas where you might look to live or work?

Bumping to get MagNaCartas attention!!

First reccy next week! Will report back

A bit excited, a bit nervous.

Magnacarta - are you around?

shamelessly bumping my own thread and attention seeking

How exciting! I really hope you find somewhere that fits the bill.
Have you got a shortlist?

Has anyone recommended Heaton Moor yet? All the cafes and delicatessens you could want.
My parents are about to start selling their 6 bedroom detached house 5 mins walk from a station with a 10 minute journey into Manchester Picadilly if anyone's interested

Thanks Lobsterlass and Grendlesmum Heaton Moor? What are the schools like?

We both really liked Didsbury and Chorlton, but I'm a bit unsure of the schools. The Ofsted reports aren't great. So perhaps Heaton Moor could be in the running? Would be interested in your thoughts Grendlesmum.

I am thinking Sale is a good compromise.

Altrincham is a bit in the middle, but not Timperley. From what we saw it was too suburbia.

Wilmslow is a definate fore-runner given you get more for your money in this suburbia. Very impressed with the school/

Bramhall caught my eye, and I liked it a lot. And Hale. I think they are my very top two, if we can find something in budget.

Well, it's a very long time since I was at school in Heaton Moor :-)

In terms of primary schools, Tithe Barn always had a good reputation, and I went to St Thomas' which was good.

For secondary, I went on to Stockport Grammar (independent) - another of my classmates went to Priestnall (the local comp) and we found ourselves at Cambridge together, so the schools can't be too bad .

I don't know what kind of house you're looking for, but this one is in a quiet road 2 mins from station and 10 mins from primary school:

www.reedsrains.co.uk/usrPropertyDetails.aspx?prpRef=200083043

And I've always liked the houses in this street:

www.homesonview.co.uk/Scripts/ShowProperty.asp?css=&CompanyID=JULISTOC&AgencyID=JU LISTOC&ID=JSP00337

That's a lovely house! But we aren't moving until next year

Noooooo! Lymm appears to have dropped off your radar.

The school there is brilliant!

Really, you liked Wilmslow and Hale???!

Oh well....
I'm with you Lobster, if you must do south Mcr, Lymm is where I'd go.

Seriously, good luck and have fun!