Back to the UK - where to live in the NW?
Discussion
Morning all
I’m currently living in Sydney, but for my sins will be returning to the UK in May/June of 2012 primarily to have friends and family a little closer by as me and Mrs D are planning on starting a family in the next few years. Where we’ll be long term, I have no idea but that’s a different story.
In essence I’m trying to get an idea of areas to look at more closely when we’re back for a week in August, initially we’ll be looking to rent and then maybe buy if we decide to stay in the UK long term.
I’m looking for somewhere that will meet the majority of the following criteria:
1. Good village/town centre with selection of pubs, cafes, shops etc, although not too big
2. Within walking distance or short drive of some good open space for walks after work to clear the head
3. Commutable by train/car to Liverpool and Manchester
4. No particularly rough areas on the doorstep
5. Potentially good schools if we remain long term
6. Interesting selection of properties to rent/buy (obviously a moveable feast!!)
Both myself and Mrs D have friends and family in Hoole, just outside Chester and Heswall/Gayton on the Wirral and would consider either of these, also interested to take a look around Stockton Heath in Warrington but don’t really know much about that so any opinions would be good.
Any other suggestions would be more than welcome.
Cheers
Al
I’m currently living in Sydney, but for my sins will be returning to the UK in May/June of 2012 primarily to have friends and family a little closer by as me and Mrs D are planning on starting a family in the next few years. Where we’ll be long term, I have no idea but that’s a different story.
In essence I’m trying to get an idea of areas to look at more closely when we’re back for a week in August, initially we’ll be looking to rent and then maybe buy if we decide to stay in the UK long term.
I’m looking for somewhere that will meet the majority of the following criteria:
1. Good village/town centre with selection of pubs, cafes, shops etc, although not too big
2. Within walking distance or short drive of some good open space for walks after work to clear the head
3. Commutable by train/car to Liverpool and Manchester
4. No particularly rough areas on the doorstep
5. Potentially good schools if we remain long term
6. Interesting selection of properties to rent/buy (obviously a moveable feast!!)
Both myself and Mrs D have friends and family in Hoole, just outside Chester and Heswall/Gayton on the Wirral and would consider either of these, also interested to take a look around Stockton Heath in Warrington but don’t really know much about that so any opinions would be good.
Any other suggestions would be more than welcome.
Cheers
Al
Currently living in middle of the Wirral at the north end.
Easy commute to Liverpool, train, bus, car or even ferry! (very good for clearing the head after a long day at work). Manchester is a bit of a drive/trainride with the commute taking 1 -1 1/2 hours. Very good schools, parks and pub / restaurants.
And as someone said earlier, easy access to Oulton Park and those lovely North Wales roads.
Easy commute to Liverpool, train, bus, car or even ferry! (very good for clearing the head after a long day at work). Manchester is a bit of a drive/trainride with the commute taking 1 -1 1/2 hours. Very good schools, parks and pub / restaurants.
And as someone said earlier, easy access to Oulton Park and those lovely North Wales roads.
I do like the Wirral, but if I end up working in Manchester as opposed to the pool, the commute would do my head in. Same goes for Chester I guess.
Quite liking the properties I'm seeing on rightmove in Stockton heath and grappenhall, seems to be a good selection between about 250 and 350k.
Anyone from round that way?
Quite liking the properties I'm seeing on rightmove in Stockton heath and grappenhall, seems to be a good selection between about 250 and 350k.
Anyone from round that way?
I live in Horwich, Bolton. Theres plenty of good housing around here and Blackrod.
Theres good motorway links to Preston, Liverpool and Manchester. Blackburn and East Lancs are easy to commute to.
Rail links are good Manchester and Preston both 25minutes away.
Rivington and the west lanc moors are on your door step.
Theres good motorway links to Preston, Liverpool and Manchester. Blackburn and East Lancs are easy to commute to.
Rail links are good Manchester and Preston both 25minutes away.
Rivington and the west lanc moors are on your door step.
Cheers guys. Being from the north westy, I'm pretty familiar with the geography, looking more for opinions and recommendations on particular areas.
We'll be 31 and 30 when we get back, so not quite ready to be put out to pasture. Life in Sydney has spoilt us a bit with so much on our doorstep, so want to try and get a good balance when we return with nice bars and restaurants near by but not slap bang in the city.
We'll be 31 and 30 when we get back, so not quite ready to be put out to pasture. Life in Sydney has spoilt us a bit with so much on our doorstep, so want to try and get a good balance when we return with nice bars and restaurants near by but not slap bang in the city.
aussieal said:
I do like the Wirral, but if I end up working in Manchester as opposed to the pool, the commute would do my head in. Same goes for Chester I guess.
Quite liking the properties I'm seeing on rightmove in Stockton heath and grappenhall, seems to be a good selection between about 250 and 350k.
Anyone from round that way?
Great bars and restaurants in Stockton Heath, somewhat calmer than central Warrington. Nice friendly atmoshpere.Quite liking the properties I'm seeing on rightmove in Stockton heath and grappenhall, seems to be a good selection between about 250 and 350k.
Anyone from round that way?
Expensive properties - but shouldn't worry you with the strength of the Aussie dollar
No trains and the commute to Manchester, by car, can be a bit of a nightmare. Commute to Liverpool is good with the Daresbury bypass.
We live just a little bit out of Stockton Heath at Lower Stretton, j10 of the M56. It's a great location for us as the OH works in Warrington and I commute to Trafford (by car) and various sites around the area. It wasn't top of the priority list, but we did like the location as there's good links to all major employment areas. I'm not sure how the travel would be if you plan to use trains into Manchester, guess you'd be looking at bus to town then train, but the Stretton / Stockton Heath area is lovely with plenty of pubs/eateries in Stockton Heath and it's only five mins and you're on country blast roads.
We moved from the Sankey/Penketh area to be nearer the country roads/walks, closer to Wales etc, we were fed up of having to drive miles to be on fun little roads, it really is a great location.
p.s sorry, only moved in November so we're still in the 'love our new place' phase!!
We moved from the Sankey/Penketh area to be nearer the country roads/walks, closer to Wales etc, we were fed up of having to drive miles to be on fun little roads, it really is a great location.
p.s sorry, only moved in November so we're still in the 'love our new place' phase!!
I am down in Lower Heswall and its a great area to live.Think there are plenty of rented properties available in the area .Liverpool is about 20 mins away manchester within the hour Airports within 40 mins both John Lennon and manchester.
Lots of places on the Wirral and south side of the M56 corridor has lots of great places too.
Lots of places on the Wirral and south side of the M56 corridor has lots of great places too.
It was only a matter of time before someone said that!
That's the dilemma, continually change my mind about what to do.
The thing that draws us both back is the prospect of starting a family out here without any close friends/family around as support.
Having said that, if you ask me where I see myself being in ten years, it'll be back in Sydney.
That's the dilemma, continually change my mind about what to do.
The thing that draws us both back is the prospect of starting a family out here without any close friends/family around as support.
Having said that, if you ask me where I see myself being in ten years, it'll be back in Sydney.
We keep looking at Oz.
Maybe we should do a house-swap!
We're in a good spot - Billinge - 26 miles from Manchester, 15 miles from Liverpool.
3 miles from St Helens, 5 miles from Wigan, 5 miles from Newton le Willows - all with stations that serve both Liverpool and Manchester. As a village, it's lively enough with decent schools and low crime with a decent community feel - and there are lots of fields and areas to chill out after the daily grind!
Maybe we should do a house-swap!
We're in a good spot - Billinge - 26 miles from Manchester, 15 miles from Liverpool.
3 miles from St Helens, 5 miles from Wigan, 5 miles from Newton le Willows - all with stations that serve both Liverpool and Manchester. As a village, it's lively enough with decent schools and low crime with a decent community feel - and there are lots of fields and areas to chill out after the daily grind!
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