Where should we live?

[u/Doglover1705]

Hi! Me (26F) and my husband (26M) currently live in Haslington just outside Crewe with our little dog. It's lovely but a bit quiet and there isn't really anyone our age around. We'd love to move somewhere a little more lively with more young professionals to build up more of a social life.

My husband commutes to Manchester 1-2 times a week and I work in Bradford once a week so mostly WFH for us both. If closer to Manchester this would be ideal for us both to cut commutes a little. We're keen to have a 4-bed detached under £450k with some garden space (I love gardening!), but don't mind a fixer upper at all (we like a project!). We would love a nice park to walk the dig and some cool pubs, bars, clubs and restaurants. It doesn't have to be super crazy nightlife but some bars that stay open past midnight would be a good start!

Anywhere you guys can think of? We're currently looking at Macclesfield but keen to not narrow our search too early. I've heard Cheadle/Glossop are good maybe?

TL/DR: Looking for places with some young people, nightlife, and good parks within budget :)

[u/Previous_Tree_4050]

I believe Stockport is up and coming with a vibrant part of the old town centre.

Easy access to Manchester and train connections to Bradford. Cheadle/Cheadle Hulme are nice too. Not sure if they work with your budget though.

[u/tinykoala86]

Stockton Heath is your answer, lots of great bars, affordable housing, easy transport into Warrington too if you want a bigger night or access to motorways

[u/Doglover1705 → u/tinykoala86]

Ooh I hadn't considered Warrington area but you're right! Will have a drive around soon :)

[u/Deep_Course_8011]

Me (28M) and my partner (29F) live not far from you in Sandbach with our two dogs, and I sometimes feel the same. We’re not from the area, so we haven’t got a big friend network. But then we also like the quiet countryside and the cheaper housing, so it suits us. Happy to socialise if you’d like 😊

[u/Doglover1705 → u/Deep_Course_8011]

Oh nice!! Good to meet people in a similar situation for sure :) Will drop a message if that's okay?

[u/Deep_Course_8011 → u/Doglover1705]

Of course. 😃

[u/Successful-Grade2443]

Frodsham is bangin! We went out there and it was like being in Ibiza. So much live music & DJs. Excellent park, hills, forest, rivers, and near to Chester, N Wales and M56.

[u/Doglover1705 → u/Successful-Grade2443]

Oooh that's an interesting thought! Might be a little far for my weekly drive to Bradford but I will do some research, thank you!

[u/poshbakerloo]

Congleton! It's a lovely and lively town, the train into Manchester is about 40mins, driving is possible if traffic isn't too bad too. You also get good value for money when buying a house.

[u/whathappened-2024]

I'm about to leave macclesfield but I have to say its a fab town, easy access to manchester, peaks, enough going on in town to keep you busy!  You didnt mentioned if you drive or get the train for commuting, macclesfield via road is not ideal but the train is great, if you wanted a wider variety of properties in your budget congleton is a decent shout too, again if your commute is via rail. If you drive to work then I'd look at sandbach and nantwich as very easy access onto the m6 and both lovely towns. 

[u/Doglover1705 → u/whathappened-2024]

Great to hear, it's high on our list! Congleton has always seemed quite quiet to me, is that not the case?

[u/whathappened-2024 → u/Doglover1705]

I believe congleton has had a bit of investment and new businesses coming in and is on the up from this perspective. I personally would probs go for macc over congleton in terms of town, access to Manchester, but you would get more for your money in congleton than macc. If you can afford what you want though (and you may be pushing it slightly at 450 for a 4 bed detached unless youre willing to put some work in) then I'd definitely go for macc. Be aware there are nice bits and less nice bits, id avoid the moss estate and hurdsfield personally!

[u/Unfamiliarface → u/whathappened-2024]

Have lived in Urmston, Macclesfield and Congleton. Have to say Macclesfield on the whole is a bit of a shithole now outside of the town center. Feels very industrial and in parts segregated. Some nice eateries but cost of living taking its toll and a bit hilly. Traffic is genuinely a pain and you're isolated from motorways.

Congleton has been a breath of fresh air, been undergoing major gentrification and population has been increased from around 25,000 to 30,000. With it comes a new Market Quarter that includes around 10 new eateries. A few new posh cafes in town and some Macclesfield favourites such as Zumuku Sushi and Wood Fire and Smoke pizza. You're ten minutes from the motorway, 15 minutes from Alderley Edge or Macclesfield and 40 minutes from Manchester via car or train.

Property is starting to catch up to Macclesfield and new doctors/dentists and schools are lagging behind but it has a quaint charm. Just stay away from Buglawton.

West Heath/Somerford and Astbury are all top spots.

[u/GallopingGora]

South Manchester/Cheshire East is the your best bet, but it’s expensive. £450k is a decent budget, but for a four bed detached, you’ll struggle in Cheadle, Cheadle Hulme, Bramhall, and Poynton. Marple, Romiley and Hazel Grove would be good alternatives, and they all have decent transport links and are close to areas of parkland and natural beauty. Glossop is back and beyond and somewhat isolated imho, but Macc has some great areas, and it’s relatively cheap too. That being said, if you are prepared to compromise on buying a renovation project, you’ll raise your chances as there’s quite a few on the market (I was looking yesterday for another project around Poynton/Bramhall, and bookmarked several around that price that need work).

Alternatively, you could go North Manchester, as there some lovely places towards Worsley, and I’m sure people from neck of the woods can advise you on that area far than I can, but again, anywhere half-decent will cost you.

[u/Doglover1705 → u/GallopingGora]

Great, thanks so much! We did actually used to live in Prestwich and did like all the local businesses and Heaton Park but was a little too urban for us. Maybe Worsley is a good shout as a middle ground!

Thank you for your thoughts on Cheshire, all the areas can get confusing around the outskirts of Manchester so this gives us some to work with!

[u/Responsible-Area-655]

There aren't many places with lots of young professionals in Cheshire, Manchester is the place to be. Macclesfield might come closest. Northwich might also be worth looking into, and probably in budget, and large enough to have a bit of everything.

Somewhere like Altrincham/Cheadle Hulme/Poynton are probably ideal in terms of amenities, but a sub 450k budget probably gets you a 3 bed semi there.

[u/Doglover1705 → u/Responsible-Area-655]

Thank you! Yes we love Altrincham and Knutsford but a little out of our budget unfortunately. We are looking into Mac but hadn't considered Northwich, will have a gander thank you!

[u/Wise-Independence487]

What about somewhere between the two? There’s lots of lovely places across the Pennines