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Some advice from the collective if I may...
Looking like a move NW is on the cards in the next few months and currently trying to scope out where to live. Other half works in Old Trafford, my office is likely going to be Cheadle. She moves between sites a lot so needs a car, my office is no where near the train / tram so I'll prob bike in a couple of days a week and drive the rest.
Ideally looking at SE of the city and looking for something pretty rural and with an average commute of 20-40 mins. We were in Marple yesterday, really liked it then came back and read up on the commute - 2hrs isn't uncommon apparently! 😯
So firstly, is Marple as grim as that for commuting and secondly, where the hell else to look?
[i]Ideally looking at SE of the city and looking for something pretty rural and with an average commute of 20-40 mins. [/i]
I think you might have to pick two out of the three.
Sorry, I should be more constructive. Where are you moving from?
Marple is nice, but there's basically one road out. Your Mrs will need to get on the M60 at Bredbury or Stockport, both of which jam up. You'd be okay on a bike to Cheadle, and would just have to grin and bear it on your car days.
You could go more leafy lane rural than hilly rural by looking at the SW of the city into Cheshire (Woodford, Wilmslow, Hale etc) then your Mrs has access to the M56 and you've npot got far to go either, but it depends on your budget...
Basically, a consistent 40 minute driven commute around the South of Manchester is a rare thing..
EDIT - and cue the Binners rant about the A6...
Forget rural to the South. Either live nearer to town or face the commute from hell. The A6 is a car park. Seriously!
Have you looked at the Peoples Republic of Chorlton? Its now become a complete parody of itself, with more free-range, organic, ethically sourced yoghurt-knitting emporiums than you can shake a stick at, and has been completely colonised by BBC media types (so lots of Hoxton skinny jeans, fixes and facial hair), but probably still the best place in South Manchester to live
EDIT - and cue the Binners rant about the A6...
… and was I wrong?
[i]… and was I wrong?[/i]
I've no idea, I got the train 🙂
If you want to split the difference distance wise between Cheadle and Old Trafford your probably looking at Didsbury,Withington and Chorlton, non of which are renowned for their off road riding, but plenty of roady commutes.
Commuting by car from Marple is horrible as you will more than likely have to negotiate the A6 at some point.
Bramhall and surrounding areas are within easy cycling distance of the edge of the peaks and Cheadle for work and are relatively easy by car to get onto Kingsway which would take your partner straight into Manchester.
Dashed - you could of course live in Cheadle, Cheadle Hulme, Bramhall, Gatley, Heald Green etc etc. All leafy suburbs, good for your commute, not bad for your Mrs for access to the M60, and not actually far from ruralness; within 20 minutes you can be in the Peaks or the Cheshire plain.
Feared the 40 min commute and rural was overly optimistic!
Currently moving from Berkshire but Mrs dashed lives in Whalley Range so aware of the joys of Chorlton and know Didsbury, Heaton Moor etc just neither of us know the bits outside very well.
To be honest, it's not so much the biking that's driving the rural thing - 2 dogs mean lots of dog walks, plus I'm just not really a city kinda chap 😉 Don't mind chucking the bike in the car, but that's not to say the riding from the door wouldn't be a massive bonus.
What about Poynton? Google reckons in current traffic you'd do Old Trafford on 40-50mins, and you can avoid the A6 by going by Bramhall and the A34. Probably 20mins to Cheadle, and it's rideable. Dog walking territory of fields/canals/woods etc from the door, with riding too.
It's much more of a 'suburb' than a village now than when I grew up there (but possibly still less so than Marple), but it's still next to open countryside.
FWIW, the best place to live in Sth Manc, and possibly the country, is Whaley Bridge. Unfortunately my wife didn't agree 🙁
Answer this for your ideal location:
That angry, ranty bloke in yesterday's bad coffee thread was;
1. A wimp. I'd have spat in the girl's face, smashed my cup and demanded a barrister/barista immediately:
Didsbury.
2. Perfectly justified in his actions. I mean, coffee is important!
Chorlton.
3. Well up himself. He didn't even mention his ride or how much fun he had.
Prestwich/Bolton/Bury.
4. I HATE coffee. I hope he gets a flemaccino next time.
Rossendale/Calderdale.
There's a fair bit of green space along the Mersey for dog walking.
I live in a dodgy part of Wythenshawe but it's 2 mins from the park of the same name, 10 mins walk to sale/chorlton water park. All great places to walk a dog just no good for riding a mountain bike!
The drive to Marple for a night ride is a consistent 30 mins if you leave at 7pm, if you leave at 6 it takes you an hour.
As fr getting to trafford park from south of the river, if the M60 has a moment then the traffic can back right up round the junctions and take you 15-20 mins to get on to the motorway.
A few of the lads live out towards tatton park, house prices go up rather a lot and you're more within shooting distance of Macc forest rather than Marple. It would actually be quite a nice 10-15 mile commute to cheadle from there, don't know what it would be like getting to Trafford Park though.
😆 @ Rusty
There's a fair bit of green space along the Mersey for dogging [s]walking.[/s]
FTFY
Marple to CHeadle by car is fine, it's 20 minutes or so, 25 by bike (faster if you;re fitter) - I did it for the best part of ten years. Marple to Trafford is awful. CHap on my street does it and reckons on 90 minutes each way no matter if he uses car, train or bike
Manchester is a shithole. Worked there loads delivering for the NHS a few years ago and there isn't one place I'd have lived. My cousin moved there recently, to didsbury. In the first month she's had her bike stolen and been burgled. She'd managed 24 years without being a victim of crime in liverpool.
My cousin moved there recently, to didsbury. In the first month she's had her bike stolen and been burgled. She'd managed 24 years without being a victim of crime in liverpool.
Aaaaaah yess. The crime free nirvana at the other end of the M62. The commute's going to be a bit of a schlep though 😆
Marple - old Trafford used to take me 35 mins ish or 50 mins via an all off-road commute, driving just leave before 7.20 & your reet..
Marple - failsworth at the moment takes 25 mins - again just leave a little earlier.
My cousin moved there recently, to didsbury. In the first month she's had her bike stolen and been burgled. She'd managed 24 years without being a victim of crime in liverpool.
Yes, it's always a good idea to make sweeping generalisations based on a sample of one.
Sale is ok Canal for bike commute met for everything else. 🙂
[i]My cousin moved there recently, to didsbury. In the first month she's had her bike stolen and been burgled. She'd managed 24 years without being a victim of crime in liverpool. [/i]
On the up side, now she's got something to constantly whine about so she'll feel right at home.
Erm, I know loads of Mancs (unfortunately 😉 ) and we share the same news channels. My wife works there and I've spent huge amounts of time there over the years, if there were ever a case of inverse stereotypes then Liverpool and Manchester is it. Aesthetically Liverpool is far far nicer, has lower crime, has more desirable areas to live in, yet the media would have you believe Manchester is paradise whilst liverpool is Beirut, which is far from the case.
Admittedly Manchester is economically more prosperous, but this is manifested in the businesses located there, certainly not on the residential areas within the city. As far as I can see a large part of the residential desirability of Manchester is by it being right next to Cheshire.
One answer- Sale in Manchester would be ideal for you.
If you lived towards Cheadle I think your missus may get worn out with the M60 carpark?
I was surprised- within 4miles of cycling from Stretford we were in Dunholm Massey- within 2miles it was beautiful country lanes. Madness. Really surprised me.
Aesthetically Liverpool is far far nicer, has lower crime, has more desirable areas to live in, yet the media would have you believe Manchester is paradise whilst liverpool is Beirut, which is far from the case.
Liverpool's quite nice, but I would far, far rather live in Manchester. BTW my sister has lived in Didsbury for about 7 years so I'm pretty familiar with the area.
Oh god, I agree with Hora. And it's not the first time... *runs for mummy* 😉
That corner of town's not cheap mind.
Sale is expensive but come live in the Northern Moor ghetto, 5 bed 4 bath house went for £135,000 the other day 😉
Jesus. They win a couple of matches, for a change, and all of a sudden the [url= http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/sport/sport-headlines/liverpool-six-games-from-being-unbearable-again-2014033185202 ]delusion[/url] starts all over again. Have you mentioned the Beatles yet? 😆
If he got a job in Liverpool, then maybe (a big maybe) some of what you're saying might be applicable (if delusional, obviously). But his Mrs works in Cheadle, and he works in Trafford.
Have you considered Leeds? 😉
I'd just advise he moves south of Manchester, within the city boundaries are pretty grim.
I lived in Chorlton for 12 years and it was bloody great. I must have somehow been insulated from the constant crime-wave that was laying waste to the place at the time. All the while the residents of the totally crime-free Utopia of Liverpool must have been looking on in abject horror
In fact, if your cousins experience is anything to go by, I'm lucky to be alive. Never mind still being in possession of all my stuff, while failing to notice the collapse of civilisation going on around me
😀
Or he could move next to binners, who sounds like he has it sorted.
Ok I'll recommend where I live Monton area. It's not SE but has lots going for it. Prices not as daft good bars and restaurants. Worsley woods for walking your dog. Good transport connections.
[i]I'd just advise he moves south of Manchester, within the city boundaries are pretty grim. [/i]
To a large extent, I agree. But then, unlike me, Binners is maybe used to living in a house without an inside toilet 😉
You have to have an organic composting toilet in Chorlton now. Its the law 😉
Another vote for Monton. It gets overlooked because its… gasp…. in Salford 😯
Its a great little place
These threads always make me laugh..
Scouters with huge chip on shoulder, Binners and his love of the A6 and everyone else reckoning their area is best..!
Anyway my area is best...
The M60 is not as bad as is made out. I live south of Stockport and work in Salford quays. In rush hour it's 40 minutes. Girlfriend works in Stretford, think it takes her 30 minutes from mine.
As has been mentioned, marple is nice, but one road in and out can make it horrid at rush hour.
Herald green/Gatley you'll need to like aircraft, it's on the flight path
Poynton is a good shout, bottom end of hazel grove (yes you can avoid the A6)
You could do worse that cheadle it's self
Oh, and the traffic from the north is pretty crappy in the morning as well!
If you asked for my real opinion I'd say avoid any house that has red bricks and buy one that is stone built.
These threads always make me laugh..
Scouters with huge chip on shoulder, Binners and his love of the A6 and everyone else reckoning their area is best..!Anyway my area is best...
The M60 is not as bad as is made out. I live south of Stockport and work in Salford quays. In rush hour it's 40 minutes. Girlfriend works in Stretford, think it takes her 30 minutes from mine.
As has been mentioned, marple is nice, but one road in and out can make it horrid at rush hour.
Herald green/Gatley you'll need to like aircraft, it's on the flight path
Poynton is a good shout, bottom end of hazel grove (yes you can avoid the A6)You could do worse that cheadle it's self
Oh, and the traffic from the north is pretty crappy in the morning as well!
😆
So south of Manchester then. Another 'not in Manchester' recommendation.
Or look at it this way:
South Manchester/Cheshire - Darcey Bussell.
Flat,uninteresting, starts to grate after a while, posh.
North Manchester and beyond - Charlotte Church.
Damn good fun, bit rough around the edges.
The lumpy bits make up for it.
Lodders
So south of Manchester then. Another 'not in Manchester' recommendation.
Myself & Binners are 'professional' Mancunians, we don't actually LIVE there anymore.
I prefer the hills and the countryside. And cheaper houses.
Binners likes frottering himself against windmills.
I would go along with Poynton. Traffic can still be pretty grim though - suggest an early start in the morning, then round the back of Bramhall, A34 and M60.
Less than half an hour over to New Mills area for Mellor Moor, a little bit more to Hayfield for Edale, etc. Macc Forest similar and less than an hour out to the Peaks. Also very easy for weekend trips to Lancashire, North Wales, Yorkshire Dales, Lakes.
Also has a Waitrose and a Bollington Brewery pub (The Cask). What's not to like?
Sale, Stretford,Urmston,ideal for commute to OT.
Chorlton,Didsbury a bit further but still easy and nearer to Cheadle
Disbury/Stockport west ,ie Heaton Mersey,Cheadle itself but longer commute to OT.
If you're renting two dogs may be an issue.
Bramhall/Poynton a good bet. I'd suggest looking at the A555 extension plans if looking at houses/locations in South Manchester. They had some map with road traffic volumes now, when the work is done, and once finished. The A6 isn't great, but not as bad as you'd think. The new treble 5 will change things - however far into the future it is.
Re the north - better value, nice areas too. It isn't the traffic free nirvana some make out. M66 coming south in a morning can be awful.
I'm in the Bramhall area. We wanted Marple Bridge/Mellor at first but needed better access to town/motorways. We're lucky having some great schools, nice community vibe with plenty going on, award winning bookshop, nice places to eat/drink, nice parks, short by bike to high peak/macc forest. Quite snob free, but if that's your bag a short drive south on the A34 will solve that. Also 10 minute ride to Jon at the Bike Smithy. I'd live in Poynton - bit closer to the hills too.
M66 coming south in a morning can be awful.
Nevermind that- going north afterwork is queuingtastic.
Come to Chinley: You've never leave.
Train in to Manc.
and your grammar will become squify
there has to be a downside to living in the Peak... it its mine gramer.
Another vote for Poynton/Bramhall/Hazel Grove.
I ride from Hazel Grove to Stockport for work 5 days a week which is 20 mins each way (on the A6 mostly and its not as bad as people make out, unless your in a car).
There would be a BIBLICAL amount of riding on your doorstep from there. I live in Hazel Grove and I'm spoilt for choice when it comes to riding.
Will second what Hora said about Sale. I live in Ashton on Mersey (between Sale and Urmston). Being a dog(ger) owner the river and the various commons and woods in the vicinity are great, loads of green space. Fantastic transport links. Great countryside a few minutes bike ride away and easy to commute to both OT and Cheadle. That said would also second ideas like Poynton, Bramhall and Cheadle itself, perfectly nice areas.
As for our resident, card carrying scouser, I would (gently) point out that pretty much all of the areas recommended are part of the metropolis of Greater Manchester. The clue being in the word "Great" 😉
If we wanted to get bogged down in semantics we could argue that anyone who didn't live within about a square mile of St Pauls technically doesn't live in London...
There would be a BIBLICAL amount of riding on your doorstep from there. I live in Hazel Grove and I'm spoilt for choice when it comes to riding.
Can you enlighten me as to where I can find this bibilical amount of off road riding on the doorstep? I'm in bramhall, and as far as I can tell there's nothing of any note in the vicinity. Its a fine area to live, but if quality off road riding from the doorstep is a priority then the OP should pick somewhere else.
There would be a BIBLICAL amount of riding on your doorstep from there. I live in Hazel Grove and I'm spoilt for choice when it comes to riding.
Can you enlighten me as to where I can find this bibilical amount of off road riding on the doorstep? I'm in bramhall, and as far as I can tell there's nothing of any note in the vicinity.
I think he means you can ride to Marple from there 😉
I'd look at Sale. Didsbury when I was in Manc looked nice and middle class, but I've never been somewhere so ****ed up for violence. Maybe I just went there on dodgy nights, but even the city center pubs weren't that bad.
Getting to Cheadle isn't the problem here, it's the commute for your wife as she needs her car.
Marple (I'm a resident) is indeed awful for car journeys, however get up early enough (mentioned above) and it's fine, also good in school holidays.
I've lived in Cheadle and Bramhall, now Marple and it's by far the best if you want semi rural and lots of mtbing, dog walking and general getting out into pleasant countryside. Lots of independent shops, cinema, theatre and very friendly residents who actually talk to you and say hello!
Wilmslow, Gatley, Heald Green all get grid locked now because of the A34 and their proximity to Man airport.
We miss you both very much 🙁FWIW, the best place to live in Sth Manc, and possibly the country, is Whaley Bridge. Unfortunately my wife didn't agree
I'd look at Sale. Didsbury when I was in Manc looked nice and middle class, but I've never been somewhere so ****ed up for violence.
The centre of Didsbury on a Saturday nights is full of scrotes from Stockport. Its horrendous!!!
I hadn't been out there for a few years, then went out there not too long back. I was a bit shocked at how bad it was. We lasted about an hour. I was minding my own business when, to quote the Kaiser Chiefs 'a man in a tracksuit attacked me'. A proper 'did you call my pint a puff?!!!' moment. But he was too pissed to make much of a go of it. He could barely stand up! I laughed at him and suggested to my mate we should probably head to Chorlton instead.
She'd managed 24 years without being a victim of crime in liverpool.
Yes, but no-one shits where they eat, now do they? 😉
M66 coming south in a morning can be awful.Nevermind that- going north afterwork is queuingtastic.
To be fair when we lived in Accrington, as long as I left the office on Spaw Street at 17;00, I could be home by 17;40..
Chorlton is a bit of a burglary hotspot http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/chorlton-named-burglary-hotspot-uk-6557629 as is a lot of the 'nice' south of the city stuff, largely because it's a great target for the less nice bits close by..
Come to Chinley: You've never leave.
Nice place ,rural,picturesque, lots of stone properties, but you won't be local until you can trace several generations back and at least somewhere in your lineage there has been some interbreeding ideally with the local livestock.
The centre of Didsbury on a Saturday nights is full of scrotes from Stockport. Its horrendous!!!
West Didsbury's iconic (once) Burton Rd now attracts Wythenshawe's finest apparently. Stood in a tiny bar there drinking a pint with a mate whilst an enormous fight flared up and surged backwards and forwards not a foot or so away from us. Could have reached out and touched them.
Once order had been restored, bouncer suggested we'd be better off going to Wythenshawe for a pint on a Saturday night 😀
Can you enlighten me as to where I can find this bibilical amount of off road riding on the doorstep? I'm in bramhall, and as far as I can tell there's nothing of any note in the vicinity. Its a fine area to live, but if quality off road riding from the doorstep is a priority then the OP should pick somewhere else.
Depends on the size of your average ride I guess. Mine being in the region of 30-50+ miles gives me easy access to Hobson Moor, Etherow, Marple, Roman Lakes, New Mills, Lyme Park, Hayfield, Edale, Castleton, Hope Valley, Coombs, Goyt Valley, Macc Forest and all the cheeky bits in-between. All of which are ridden to from my doorstep. The list is goes on!