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Original poster

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

491 replies

Ohforfoxsake · 30/01/2009 21:10

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

OP posts:
hotpotmama · 01/02/2009 21:54

About 20 - 30 minutes or you could go by tram from Bury.

Pubs, there's lots of good ones dotted all around, a good one just down from the tower, Shoulder of Mutton, lovely food after a walk up the hill. In Ramsbottom there are lots of pubs and some great restaurants, . There's a new place just opened called The Lounge which is good for a drink.

Where are you noonki?

Lizzylou, I grew up in Rossendale, moved away to Uni then Leeds but leapt at the chance to move back 5 years ago. So glad we did, have made great friends here.

hotpotmama · 01/02/2009 21:56

Lizzylou we can get there in 20-30 minutes on a weekend, but suppose the traffic is good then.

Lizzylou · 02/02/2009 07:23

Hotpot, I loved living in Rammy, pre-kids we ate out about 3 times a week, just walked down to the centre of Ramsbottom and there was a choice of loads of nice places.
The swimming pool/gym has a great and v cheap creche. And of course the steam train!
We still go to Ramsbottom a lot.
We moved to Rossendale as we couldn't sell our house and bought a new one (part ex), have to say I love it here too.
Ramsbottom/Rossendale is a really pretty part of the world, friendly people and gorgeous countryside. And not far from Manchester/Bury/Bolton and motorway links.

littlemisschatalot · 02/02/2009 07:43

we live outside preston. takes about 45 mins to get to salford. lovely village, 15 mins from coast, schools great.if dh is in salford, u really need to be looking north manchester or further faield north.

noonki · 02/02/2009 09:37

Thanks for the info. Hotpot!

Do you know anything about the local primary schools? We want to go and have a look around any inside info?!

We live in Stretford (near Chorlton but v dull and a bit depressing imo), I really don't want the kids growing up in the city - I grew up in Oxford and my DH in Morecambe/lancaster. so feels odd this big place for them.

We looked at Ramsbottom before kids (about 6 years ago) and nearly bought a house on a whim then but chickened out at the last minute (far from friends /nightlife) now we have no nightlife and lots fo friends but seems like it easily close enough to see people, and make new friends.

Lizzylou · 02/02/2009 10:09

Noonki, I know that Greenmount Primary is supposed to be fab. Not sure on the others.
The High School is good as well.

hotpotmama · 02/02/2009 12:08

Noonki there are lots of excellent ones, Greenmount, Hollymount, St Joseph's, St Andrew's, St Mary's Hawkshaw,

There's one in Stubbins (just on the outskirts of Ramsbottom) that was in the Sunday Times top 50 Primary Schools list, can't remember its name.

Original poster
Ohforfoxsake · 02/02/2009 14:11

That's something else I thought of last night- I want to bring the kids up outside the city, but want the city to be accessible because one day, they'll want to go out, and go clubbing and shopping and up to no good

This morning the common outside our house is under at least 6 inches of snow and school is closed. Everyone is out there, there's a great vibe and lots of fun. Now that's what I need to find!

OP posts:
WorkInProgress · 02/02/2009 14:22

This is really interesting because we are moving out of Manchester, way into the country ( for work reasons).I do want to bring my children up in the country, but any move is very scary.
Ohforfoxsake, where ever you choose in Manchester, the best thing about it, is the people are very friendly and welcoming. No one seems to care if you are from the south or north or went to school in the area.

Original poster
Ohforfoxsake · 02/02/2009 14:40

this in Rossendale?

OP posts:
Original poster
Ohforfoxsake · 02/02/2009 14:41

Thanks Workinprogress

change is scary, isn't it?

OP posts:
Lizzylou · 02/02/2009 15:48

Lovely house, not sure about Haslingden, there are some really nice parts, but not sure enough to be able to advise.
I think that there are nicer areas, hence the price (what a bargain though!).

Lizzylou · 02/02/2009 15:53

this one is near me

This is in a nice area

Doesn't seem much on Rightmove for Ramsbottom

WorkInProgress · 02/02/2009 16:06

If you want somewhere more countryfied, you need to go further out, Cheadle Hulme, Bramhall or Knutsford, or some of the north Manchester places mentioned. Chorlton and Didsbury are very nice, but quite young and urban. Spend as much time as possible mooching round the areas, I think you'll get a feel for them quite quickly.

Then you've just got to find somewhere to live, get a school place, rent or sell existing house and then move - just like we are. This isn't scary, it's completely insane.

Grammaticus · 02/02/2009 16:20

With £400k to spend, a desire for state schooling and a commute to Salford, you want to be looking at Sale and Timperley. You can't really afford Altrincham (not the nice nits anyway) or Hale or Bowdon.

Trafford schools are excellent. Grammar if you pass, if not you want to be within a mile of either Wellington Road or Ashton on Mersey Schools. Youu can afford that and the Salford commute will be fine.

WilfSell · 02/02/2009 16:24

Yeah, they only have expensive nice nits in Altrincham, Hale and Bowdon

Grammaticus · 02/02/2009 16:26

Bits. Not nits.

hotpotmama · 02/02/2009 16:44

No, not Haslingden, the house is very close to the town centre. Not really the countryside you want.

Helmshore in Rossendale is far nicer, don't you think Lizzylou?

Lizzylou · 02/02/2009 17:08

Hotpot, agree Haslingden. When we were pre-DC we almost bought a huge Victorian house in Haslingden for peanuts (in todays prices), the house was fab, but the area not so much. Although Haslingden High is a fab school.
Yes, Helmshore is lovely
As is Greenmount, Holcombe Brook and Hawkshaw (dreams....love Hawkshaw)

Lilyloo · 02/02/2009 20:06

ooh definately Helmshore over Haslingden.
Holcombe Brook is lovely!

Lilyloo · 02/02/2009 20:12

This development is lovely and well sought after

As is this

We are roughly 10 min from main motorway to Manchester

Lizzylou · 02/02/2009 20:18

Go with Lilyloo's 1st choice, that's where I live, we could be neighbours

Berries · 02/02/2009 20:55

Ok, travelling time from Wilmslow/Alderley Edge to far side of Manchester (Victoria Station area) is 40 mins at 7am, 45 mins at 7:40am and 65 mins at 8:05 so really does depend what time he leaves (I go early & eat breakfast at work when dh is at home). Coming home is anything between 40 and 60 mins, this is via Princess Parkway & M56.
Knutsford, Failibrome, Wilmslow are all good secondaries but you have to make sure you live close to whichever one you want. NB - in this area you have no choice, you are very unlikely to be able to pick anything other than your 'catchment' schools.
Most primaries good and tend to have a number within fairly small distance so you could check them out to get a feel for them.
Cheadle, Cheadle Hulme, Bramhall about 10 mins closer to Manchester, but down A34. Poynton - I don't know the commuting times but think you'll need to go down the A6 which is awful (but haven't done it as regular commute though). Poynton High School also highly thought of.
Re: Grammar school - Altrincham gets best results but is also the hardest to get into. You can get into it from Wilmslow but commute is deadly so you'll need to drive.
Not sure how old your children are yet but consider living somewhere they can walk into the 'centre', makes a massive difference when they start getting old enough to go out by themselves. being able to walk to leisure centre/swimming pool is a big plus (esp in the holidays)
HTH

Lilyloo · 02/02/2009 21:01

Lizzy thought you were further away from me!
Sick of this snow yet ???

jojosmaman · 02/02/2009 21:15

Ooh I love a Manchester where to live thread! I have lived in a few places, central, south and east and for me its a no-brainer. Altrincham/ Hale/ Bowden/ Timperley would be top of my list simply because all are approx 25mins into Manchester city centre (non rush hour, about 40 mins if in rush hour), they have excellent local schools, convenient tram system (25mins from Alti to city centre) and great restaurants/ cafes/ bars (you would def get a fry up on a sunday morning!).

I work in Stretford and wouldnt touch it with a barge pole, went to school in Whalley Range-(ditto re barge pole)and not a huge fan of North Manchester, its not as green as south but if that's not as important to you.

Have lived in Chorlton and would do again if I was either aged 18-25, Polish or gay, to say it has an eclectic mix of people is an understatement! It is an "M" postcode too so I found insurance to be higher on house and car as higher crime rate, same with Sale.

Didsbury is nice and convenient for city but I think it is over priced and slighty poncey and you are basically paying for the "Cold Feet" style lifestyle.

Knutsford/ Wilmslow/ Alderley Edge also all nice but I think a bit too far out for a commute by car.

Can't really comment on Poynton, Bramhall, Cheadle etc as havent lived there but had plenty of friends who have and they seem pleasant places!

Good luck and keep us updated!