Moving from south to north, what'll it be like?

[Airing]

Hi, DH and I are planning to move from our home counties country house to Cheshire/south Manchester. The furthest north I've ever lived is London, so it feel like a big move to me. I'm feel a mix of excitement and apprehension so thought I'd see if anyone has done the same. The dc's are all primary school age with the eldest moving to secondary schools soon, so we are thinking of the Trafford area which looks to have great schools.

I won't know anyone there at all, Dh knows a few work people but not really anyone else, so I feel worried about leaving lots of friends behind and knowing nobody.

I am looking forward to being near a big city with lots to do having been stuck in the middle of nowhere, but I don't know where's good for dc's etc.

Any advice?

Thought I'd bump this message.
I moved to Cheshire/South Manchester (Wilmslow) - though have been relocated south since.
Trafford area has grammar schools - and they are pretty selective - especially Altrincham Grammar. There are also plenty of good independent schools in the area, though am not sure about good state schools for those who don't make the grammar schools.
There is plenty to do "up north" and it is a very dynamic area.
Hope some of those who have moved north more recently can give help - there are regular threads on moving from the south to the north west.

I'd say the biggest change isn't the South to North move but the move from "middle of nowhere" to a city.
I live in the middle of nowhere up North so any city would be a culture shock to me.

I'm from the North West but live in the South now.I think Cheshire is a little different to the North in general - I would say more Southern!
Manchester is a great city with lots to do and good shopping.
I should say it would be fairly easy to make new friends with children of school age and northern people are on the whole very friendly although in Cheshire there are probably as many people who have moved from the South with work.

Dh is also working in South Manchester at the moment and we have the option to relocate back but house prices in some areas of Cheshire are high although they are probably comparable with the home counties.

Here are a a few threads I saved from before when debating whether we should relocate yet: Hale, secondary education, trafford primary schools, moving to Manchester.

Friends who were living in Manchester were moving to Lymm (actually moved to France in the end) which has a comprehensive school with a very good ofsted if you don't fancy the 11+.

There should be lots of people on here who can give you more specific information on the area.Perhaps post in the local section for Manchester also if you have particular questions.Good luck with the move.It is always hard relocating.

you'll love it!
It's friendly, near some amazing countryside but within easy reach of city, airport, train and motorway links etc and North Wales a short hop away for mountains and coast. Lived there for a number of years before relocating and we had a happy time!

we moved from London to Manchester last year.

It's colder and wetter, with crap, expensive public transport. Housing not as cheap as some southerners seem to believe. No Michelin starred restaurant .

BUT

the people are ace, the countryside is so much grander and awe inspiring, the schools on the whole are better (compared with central London), and nowhere else has such good chippies.

Michael Caines (double Michelin starred chef) has Abode in Manchester

Greens also a nice restaurant

Manchester Museum great for the dcs (and free)

Peak District close by and Cheshire Plains

just don't buy in Wilmslow/Bramhall unless you're happy to be surrounded by footballers' wives types, Corrie actorsd and people driving 4x4s very badly

I have moved from London to Manchester, but had lived there before.

People are really friendly and the chippies/ take aways in general are unbelievably good value. I love the public transport here, moves faster IME but not fully integrated so pricy to change provider or method. Countryside more accessible and parts are very green anyway, though less 'common' style areas, ie. the big London green spaces. Plenty of culture, great music in particular and sports/ music/ any extra curricular activities for the kids are much cheaper.

Probably going to get told off, but I have moved a lot and find the key to integrating and making friends is to settle anywhere where the locals are less likely to have come from there originally. So for Trafford, I would recommend anywhere around Longford Park, Firswood, Chorlton Borders etc. 40% of Trafford kids go to a Grammar, so achievable and the Sale / Alty area high schools are all execllent as well. Would avoid Didsbury from a secondary schooling POV.

Let us know where you decide!

Michael Caines@abode not starred as yet, though the lunch is great value.

Apparently someone near Preston has a star . To be fair, what I have lost in restaurants I have gained in takeaways.

Agree with avoiding Manchester City Council areas for schools. We're just outside the Manchester border (not trafford though) and things improve immeasurably.

Martha - surprised how much importance you attach to Michelin starred restaurants when it comes to appraising a location for living in! You'll find oop North there is a lot more to life than just going to sleb restaurants!

you'll have to keep your coal in the bath and smear yourself with lard and get a flat cap for your whippet etc

have you actually thought this one through?

and change the way you say scone presumably

Did I mention northerners were chippy .

Martha

Mitchy - ferrets up me trousers too!

Good luck with the move Airing! Don't worry - I don't live in Cheshire anymore!

Sorry for not coming back, but we went for a look about. We love Hale, but I'm not sure if we can afford it so possibly some of the surrounding areas. I'm going to have to get a move on if we want DD1 to go to a grammar school as they've already sat the exams. It may be possible for her to sit them, but we've got to decide soon.

I have to say it all felt very lovely and Manchester is an exciting city to be close to.