Kendal or Penrith

[HappySmithy]

I would be very grateful for anyone who lives in either Kendal or Penrith, or a village on the edge to tell me what they love and dislike about where they live, to help us decide which one ro choose. 😊 Many thanks

DH and I have been in Kendal for 2 years - it's a busy, thriving little town, still plenty of independent shops and cafes, big supermarkets, and the lovely Booths. Town centre is walkable from most nice housing areas, and the river is very pretty. We have experienced very little in the way of ASB or myself nothing close to feeling unsafe even walking home late at night in the dark. People have generally been very friendly - everyone says hello on a dog walk, it's one thing I really love about the north. Plenty going on locally, loads of yoga, creative stuff, etc. Can't say for schools as we are TTC. Personally I think it's a great location and Oxenholme goes direct to London. We are sadly moving as we've had a heck of an unfortunate 2 years here and moving in with MIL for a while until we get sorted. But I will have many fond memories of the town and had things worked out better for us we would have made good friends here and be loving life near the lakes. More than happy to chat if you'd like :)

Kendal has a lot of people who move to Cumbria. Penrith is more local born and bred. Both have great services, shops etc but it depends on if you are more comfortable talking about mountain adventures or stock prices (animal not banking).

I love both but they are very different.

Is Kendal on the railway line north-south?

Oxenholme is on the main line but Kendal itself is on a branch line. You can walk to Kendal from Oxenholme but I would recommend a lift to the station for the up hill.

Oxenholme just outside Kendal runs direct to Euston fastest about 2hr50

It's also a very busy and quite fast moving road with no pavement, so wouldn't walk it personally

It has a footpath all the way to town.. and there are busier roads. I walk down quite often and don't find it too bad

You’re right I was thinking the way we go which is Hayclose Ln :)

Penrith is directly off the M6, whereas Kendal is on the main tourist road into the Lakes off the M6 which can get crazy in summer. But Center Parcs on changeover days clogs the roads by Penrith too.

Penrith by upbringing here.
It is a busy town, quiet locals as others have said, but compared to Kendal it is a better place to live I would say. Easier to get onto motorway and train, just as many shops and cafes and pubs etc, a slightly less manic corner of the Lakes, and the Eden valley is just brilliant, plus easy to get to Carlisle for bigger city feel.
If I ever returned south of the border, Penrith would be very high on the list.