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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:
Lizzylou · 05/02/2009 13:00

Hi Nanny, yes in Loveclough, near Clowbridge.

Irwell Vale is lovely, very pretty. As is Summerseat, but it is a bugger to get in and out of.

Original poster
Ohforfoxsake · 05/02/2009 13:50

Thanks Nannyogg, but I will hold off contacting Estate Agents for now, as I don't want to get bombarded by them! But thank you for your kind offer

Am looking at Poynton now. Very good schools!

OP posts:
themildmanneredjanitor · 05/02/2009 13:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

myredcardigan · 05/02/2009 14:39

Ah yes, Cheadle Hulme School is lovely with a great reputation. I have two at independent school (and one not there yet) and one of the reasons we didn't go for CHS was that they don't offer sibling discount and we have three.

This area is very lucky to have lots of excellent state and independent schools within reach.

Poynton is nice but was a bit twee for us

Original poster
Ohforfoxsake · 05/02/2009 14:52

WHere are you Myredcardigan (don't worry if you don't want to say!)

I would be very interested to see that TMMJ, yes please! We aren't really house-hunting yet, so don't go to any trouble, but please do email me

OP posts:
Tinker · 05/02/2009 15:02

Have you a budget for house? Just want an excuse to look on rightmove.

selby · 05/02/2009 17:29

Come on over to the 'darkside' of Hale! It's fantastic for restaurants. I live very close to the village centre and I don't regret choosing it over Knutsford, Lymm or Wilmslow. I can walk another 10 mins to Altrincham town centre (even more choice of restaurants) where there is a tram (under 30 mins) to Manchester city centre - doesn't get better than that! I researched all the state primary schools in the area and they ALL have outstanding OFSTED reports. Admittedly, I was worried (after moving late in the year that DS might not get a school place) and had him on the reserve list of one of the local prep schools. I assume that's not an option with 4 DCS! I would suggest that you rent in the area and take your time to buy - that's what we're doing. I've rarely needed to drive my car (to my surprise). It's very close to the sirport and the M6 and if you live in Hale/Bowden, you miss the worst of the horrendous peak time traffic on the M56. We discounted Wilmslow as too far a commute time wise on this fact alone although there is more housing stock to choose from. Saying that, there's certainly more on the market this year than the same time last year (when we were looking on Rightmove). Good luck with your house hunting.

myredcardigan · 05/02/2009 17:45

I'm in Wilmslow though I'm a Surrey girl.

Selby is right, Hale is lovely. We almost bought there. Great village with the tram into Manchester. It is very expensive (though so is this bit of Wilmslow) and the housing stock is mainly Victorian and Edwardian. Wilmslow more mixed though my end is predominately 1920's/1930's detached.
Hale,like Bramhall had all outstanding schools. Most of Wilmslow's are too (but see my post below about areas to stay clear of)

I now freely admit that I was one of those southerners who thought I'd get double the house for my money oop north! Not in South Manchester. Still, as I said, I love it up here.

Original poster
Ohforfoxsake · 05/02/2009 21:01

I've spent a couple of hours looking at Ofsted reports of secondary schools in Trafford/Stockport. Then where we are now. There is so much more on offer up there.

I'm getting a bit twitchy ... I'd kind of like to get going on this now I've started!

OP posts:
flaminhell · 05/02/2009 21:22

I'm in altrincham, schools are top notch, the town is wonderful for the kids, cinema, ice skating, and all very child friendly, trafford centre 10 mins away, hale 5 mins away, its a great place. I wouldnt live any where else in manchester, although its strictly Cheshire, dont you know!!

myredcardigan · 05/02/2009 21:58

Wilmslow high school is excellent. (bias alert )The Stockport high schools aren't as great. Trafford secondaries are mostly excellent too. Part of Stockport's problem is the lack of 6th forms. In Stockport, kids have to leave school at 16 and go to 6th form college. Hence a huge number of parents opt for the indie schools at 11.

Even in places like Bramhall which has excellent primaries, their secondary, Bramhall high I think it is if you want to look it up isn't great. My friends there are waiting to here back from Stockport Grammar (indie school)for their son who is in Y6.

Original poster
Ohforfoxsake · 08/02/2009 20:09

and here is my house

OP posts:
myredcardigan · 09/02/2009 19:57

Lovely house but...As I said before, be careful with Handforth. That house is very near the bypass. You need to visit really.

IMHO, for Wilmslow, look south of the B5358.

Honeymum · 09/02/2009 22:48

No one has mentioned Monton, www.montonvillage.com/. Nice shops, some nice pubs and bars nearby, handy for city centre. My sister lives there. It's in Salford technically but that would make it v close to OP's DH's work. Ellesmere Park in Monton is home to Christopher Eccleston too!.
I should say, too, that we lived in Ramsbottom for a few month's last year. I agree it is a lovely place BUT IMO the commute will not be easy. I had friends who worked in Salford (Hope Hospital) and it was over an hour in rush hour. The journey into Manchester, even at a weekend, is not quick...I would have worried that the DC's were too far from the city, once they hit teenage years. And Bury is a dump. Sorry, it just is.

My home town is Wigan www.wiganworld.co.uk/- also worth a look (don't laugh). Quick rail links into Manchester and Salford and on the mainline to London Euston, v good schools, some lovely housing and well placed for the lakes, north Wales, shopping in Liverpool and Manchester.

Original poster
Ohforfoxsake · 10/02/2009 12:01

Christopher Eccleston

OP posts:
Original poster
Ohforfoxsake · 10/02/2009 12:10

Thanks Myredcardigan, I forgot that

I am getting quite frustrated with the whole thing now. Its too far off!

Wilmslow High School looks good on paper. Especially as its a Sports College and the boys in this house are big on sport.

Have sent for the details of that house as its just what I want. I can show it to DP and get his seal of approval. When it comes to the time I'm going to come up with a friend and do the viewings and shortlist a few for him to see. It honestly isn't an excuse for a few weekends away without the family

OP posts:
Lizzylou · 10/02/2009 12:14

OOh, nice house Ohforfoxsake!

Honeymum, sorry, but LOL at Bury is a dump and then suggesting Wigan
Bury isn't great, but it does have a World famous market dontcha know

Original poster
Ohforfoxsake · 10/02/2009 14:11

Other than noise, what other downsides from living so close to the by-pass? I might be being a bit stoopid asking, but is there anything else?

We live just off a really busy road at the moment, which doesn't bother us too much. Obviously the kids don't go out on their own, so their safety I guess is another reason.

I saw another fantastic house right next to the by-pass too.

But I have to stop house-hunting! Its not the right time and incredibly frustrating!

OP posts:
peachface · 10/02/2009 14:21

South Manchester great - lived round there for years and years when I had a job in Manchester some years back. Poynton v.nice but the trains aren't as regular into M'cr as they are from Hazel Grove (20mins rail journey to M'cr), Woodsmoor(Manchester-Buxton train line).
Marple and Marple Bridge nice and well served by rail (20 mins by train).
Bramhall and Wilmslow more expensive and IMO no nicer.
Heaton Mersey and Didsbury also good, although you're more of a drive to get out to the countryside from there.

myredcardigan · 10/02/2009 16:30

Probably just the noise, but road noise is a thing with me. We're in a quieter bit of town with the heath/park behind our street. It takes 15min to walk into town.

That end is more difficult to get into Wilmslow town centre though you could still walk it,just need to cross busy roads.

You also need to check you're not under the flight path there, though I don't think so.

I don't know much about the schools that end. I think it's Oakdean or Oaklands or something like that. I'll try to find my AtoZ. Put the postcode of house into the Ofsted search and it will come up.

Where that house is isn't a rough area by any means. It's just not as desirable (mainly due to bypass) as some other parts so houses are cheaper take a little longer to sell etc. But you only find snootiness about Handforth from people in Wilmslow It's hardly Salford! And it is a nice house.

Oh and you could probably walk to big M&S/Tesco from there which is always handy.

Lilymaid · 10/02/2009 16:40

Pownall Park, Wilmslow - des res area, Gorsey Bank catchment.

myredcardigan · 10/02/2009 17:13

Yes, come up our end! You're 5min walk to an outstanding school or there's the prep at the bottom of my road. Then you can be snobby about people in Handforth!

myredcardigan · 10/02/2009 17:19

That looks quite a newish house though. Most houses up this end are 1930s.

You have Styal Country Park close by too! and Quarry Bank Mill.
here

Lizzylou · 10/02/2009 20:31

And Tatton/Dunham Massey and Lyme Park
Spot the NT member!

Lizzylou · 10/02/2009 20:31

And Tatton/Dunham Massey and Lyme Park
Spot the NT member!

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