Where to live in or around Chester?

[xxhannahlouisexx]

Hi everyone!

Me and my other half are wanting to buy a house in or around Chester but we're not sure where would be best?

We want to live in the nicest part, I'd pay extra not to live in a rough area. We want somewhere rural or with a good amount of countryside but with easy access to shops, the pub, good transport links etc.

I don't want to be too far from Chester but I wouldn't mind living around Crewe either... We're wanting to be within the catchment area for good primary and secondary schools too.

We're also wanting to buy a house which is currently in development, we looked at Redrow, David Wilson Homes, Anwyl homes etc. but not sure who are recommended and who aren't!

I'd be so grateful for any advice - we want to live in Chester for the rest of our lives and start a family in our new home :)

Thank You!

Hmmm off the top of my head and only based on the East of Chester. Mouldsworth/Manley (great pub) Ashton Hayes (potential great pub coming and amazing village), Kelsall, Utkinton, Barrow, Chrisleton, Hargrave, Saighton (mainly owned by the Grosvenor estate) in fact new affordable builds in any of those villages will be hard to come by.

Overall though Chester is a good place to bring up a family.

Kelsall

Eccleston, Tarporley, Rossett, Pulford, Guilden Sutton, Tattenhall, Tarvin, Dodleston, Higher Kinnerton, Broughton has a lot of new developments atm too amd it's handy for the retail park not sure what its like to live in though

A lot depends on how far you want to be and what local facilities you need.
I am local and have lived in Kelsall, Tarporley, Hartford and Frodsham so feel free to ask away.
What is your housing budget?

I'm from Chester! Try the villages surrounding the city. They're lovely and very pretty.

Chester good. Crewe not good.

Thank you for the advice everyone! Really want to make sure I've put all my thought into such an important decision like this,

Pub not extremely important just nice to go for a pint at Christmas lol, we're wanting as close to the city as possible but I wouldn't mind surrounding villages if it would be a little bit cheaper, our house budget will be a max of £350,000 I've looked at Redrow and they're by far the most expensive but they are also the nicest, we're wanting a 4 bed ideally but we'd be happy with a 3 bed! We saw a Taylor Wimpey house in Winsford we liked but we've heard bad things about the company and Winsford itself so we're quite confused lol

I'd considered Ellesmere Port or Crewe because we'd be going into Chester mainly if we wanted to do our shopping or what have you but I think we'd rather live somewhere nicer lol, we're also getting a dog so we're wanting somewhere more rural than urban so we can take him/her for walks and enjoy the scenery.

I'll have a look at all of your suggestions too to see what we get a feel of and what housing developments are in that order, not sure why but I really want a new build house - it feels like a fresh start for us both that way lol

Thank you :) X

Have you seen any of the New build estates once they're up? We were tempted by one of the Broughton ones but the estate is horrible, so crammed in!

That being said they are building a lot of new homes around here at the moment.

Would you consider north Wales? Was always cheaper back in the day - admittedly my knowledge isn’t current

What about Upton?

Have you been up for a long weekend and had a good drive round?
You REALLY need to visit the new build estates as most of them are being thrown up rapidly and you can easily pay £500k for an utterly shit build. There's a "luxury" estate going up in my old village that's been plagued with defects as the builders don't give a toss.

I grew up in North Wales so I'd love to live there, other half grew up in Bradford which is where we are now but he is way too used to the city life to even contend with the thought of moving there,

I've always loved Chester so the compromise was fair, we're not moving down there for another year and a half anyway but I want everything sorted for when we do :)

As for everything else I definitely want to view all the show homes and all the development sites before we move, we're definitely aware of things like how crammed it is, thin walls etc. so we definitely want to view as many homes as possible too.

As for visiting Chester itself I visit chester quite frequently but only the city and the city centre, we've never ventured further afield lol but from what we've seen I'm in love with the place, I'd definitely pay more to live as close as possible.

I'm wanting to get as many recommended developer companies as possible, I've not really been told to stay away from any but I know that there are some way better than others.. also need to triple check I'm buying a freehold property as well. I like Redrow as they pay your stamp duty for you but it's very expensive considering the other developments around the area.

I definitely want to check Upton out too so thank you! Along with Taporley, Ashton Hayes, Kelsall and a few others.

Also wanting know what the best primary and secondary schools around Chester are? That's definitely one of the biggest priorities of ours :)

There's a massive new development planned in the land opposite the chester business park. Around a mile or 2 from the city centre.
A few houses have begun to go up (think they're listed on right move in the Westminster park area), the local primary school is excellent but oversubscribed. The smaller 4 beds are within your budget from the current development. It's not a village location though.

Are you looking for a traditional village and to get involved in village life?
Schools certainly Ashton Hayes, Kelsall and Utkinton have been consistently good.

Winsford and Crewe why? Flossing over that neither have a great reputation. They really are a LONG way from Chester and don't compare to the villages listed on here at all.
That said I'm sure you would have your pick of new builds in that area
And if distances from Chester are not critical and you are happy to be in that area then I would recommend Nantwich.

Do not move to Winsford

Hartford has lots of new builds in the area and are lovely - Winnington Park I think it's called. Good schools around too.
You can get the train in to chester.
Frodsham and Helsby !

I wouldn't move to Winsford or Ellesmere Port.

Also wanting know what the best primary and secondary schools around Chester are? That's definitely one of the biggest priorities of ours smile

That sort of thing changes on a yearly basis.

The best schools in the area are christleton and Tarparley. I wouldn't advise Helsby high, it was a brilliant school until they closed Frodsham but now it's horrendous

I grew up in North Wales too OP, always wanted to move to Chester. Good luck, hope it works out!

Helsby is hardly horrendous @Notavictimbutasurvivor it has its issues, like all others, but is a good school.

I went to Helsby high myself and my children are about to finish year 11.

It's gone to the dogs I think

I reckon if you want the best of Chester, you should look at Blacon, or maybe the Lache?