[Closed] Moving to the Lake District advice

I would live outside the national park boundary if possible. Closer to the M6, more house for your money, less of a tourist scrum during the holidays, which is be a PITA.

Kendal area would be my choice. Some lovely countryside in the surrounding area, good riding on your doorstep, excellent climbing wall for winter, a few reasonable crags dotted around, easier access to the Dales for sport climbing.

TBH, you need to get up here and see various areas for yourself - if you've only seen the tourist hotspots, it doesn't give a decent idea of what's possible on the fringes of the Lakes.

Schools are probably your priority if the kids are doing well. QEGS in Penrith is number one entry exam based but availability does come up through the year, Keswick and Kendal are good.

The hotspots can be tiresome and busy, I lived in Keswick until I was 27 and parents still live there. They are always moaning about how busy it is and they can't get in their favourite restaurants without thinking three weeks ahead etc. I still live in Cumbria but northern Yorkshire Dales. I prefer it quiet and I could not get a house like mine in Keswick. Road cycling here is much better as there is little traffic and mountain biking is easy anytime of day. I mountain bike from my parents a bit but always after work when it is quiet and never at weekends.

I would take Kendal over Keswick as a permanent home in a properly functioning town but if you are working near Carlisle that would be a pain. Probably need to know rough housing budget and rough work location.

the kids would be my biggest concern, as much as its a nice place. Away from the main towns they are probably going to moa thats theres nowt to do!

Thanks for the reply’s.

Probably need to know rough housing budget and rough work location.

£400k ish for the house. But would look at renting first. Locations would be varied with some work from home and some at clients offices so anywhere north of the m62 to the border.

Away from the main towns they are probably going to moa thats theres nowt to do!

We already live in a village with nothing to do.

(I lived in Windermere until I was about 23, my mum still lives there, so we're over there quite a bit)

I would agree that Kendal and the surrounding area is worth a good look. Most tourists drive straight past the Kendal/Staveley/Ings area. It is the only town in south lakes with anything approaching proper shopping and services, but it is far from what most would regard as good. I imagine you'll be ferrying children around a lot more than you're used to as everything is further away and public transport isn't great, nor is phone signal.

Kendal is certainly within 20 mins of the M6 too.

Tourism in the central area, i.e. Windermere up to Keswick, is pretty brutal in the school holidays, makes everything slow, difficult, expensive. Heavy tourism also tends to result in much poorer quality of service from many businesses, as return business or building up a cohort of regulars just isn't as important. This tends to be less the case outside of that central strip and that's where you tend to find better pubs, restaurants etc.

It makes me sad to say so, but the changes brought about by tourism over the last 20 years mean I would never want to live in or around Windermere, Ambleside or Keswick.

Life would be very different, very much slower, services and facilities either not what you're used to or much more difficult to access. That's not a bad thing at all, necessarily, but it would be a massive change.

You can get good houses in Kendal/Penrith areas with that budget, ok Keswick.
Work sounds very flexible so any would do for traveling.
If you are renting you will struggle to get a long term rental in a hot spot which is a pity because if nothing else it would have been nice to try as a novelty.

I would get in touch with QEGS at Penrith if you want the best school and see what availability would be like for the thirteen year old. If that looks like a goer then somewhere near Penrith would be a good shout. We are out of catchment and take our daughter there which is a big commitment as it is 25 minutes each way. I work in Penrith two days a week so take her in and bring her home and finish work at home.

I would concur with gingerflash, I will probably inherit a very nice house in Keswick one day but I would not live there again. I appreciate it would be a dream come true for many people and it may sound odd but there are too many compromises. The same would apply to all of the honey pots for me. That may or may not help you 🙂

Quieter than the south east.

LOL! not if this and last summer is anything to go by! You'll be a prisoner in your own home school holidays and bank holidays.

Staveley is good but has a very limited choice of property. Levens is good. Great MTB from the door at both.

Eden Valley. Great schools in QEGS and Appleby Grammar and you have the empty north pennines and 20 mins from Keswick and under an hour to anywhere interesting in the Lakes.

http://www.visiteden.co.uk/news/eden-named-as-one-of-the-top-5-places-to-live-in-the-uk/

A job "near the Lake District" could be just about anywhere to the west of the Pennine watershed and from Manchester up past the Scottish border. A little bit more detail would be helpful, I wouldn't want to be driving over Shap in mid-winter if I didn't have to.

Twenty minutes from the M6 is also a pretty wide corridor - somewhere like Ingleton or Kirkby Stephen are on the edge of that.

SE Lakes, that 20mins would see you anywhere south and east of a line from Grange-over-Sands to Newby Bridge to Staveley. Another area that might not currently be on on your map is the Milnthorpe, Sandside, Arnside area.

I'm not as familiar with the northern part of the Lakes (I grew up near Newby Bridge) but the Eden Valley is pretty quiet but still handy to bigger towns.

I’d definitely be looking at South East corner if I were you. Good friend is from Levens, great location to get in to the Lakes but still out of the way. And five minutes from the motorway.

Milnthorpe to Arnside is also a good option, cheaper and has the benefit of the coastline too.

Or you could even head towards Ingleton depending on exactly where the job is.

I live just before Ulverston. Great town. Top riding. South lakes not too busy loads of choice. Ulverston schools are good.

It rains.
A lot.

Once again thanks for the reply’s

Job is quite flexible hence the large area. I don’t have a specific office I need to go to each day.

Just outside Penrith through my teen years here.

I think it's a fabulous place to live, work and play. Pennines, Lakes and Eden valley all fabulous. Live in Penrith and you've a good set of amenities, Carlisle isn't that far.

QEGS saw my brother (Architect), sister (nurse) and I (slacker) well.

Ulverston is nice and a bit going on there (mostly organised by my pals in fact!).

We just moved to Arnside (from Glasgow via Kirkby Lonsdale) which is just across the Kent estuary to the south from Ulverston on the train - we absolutely love it. Not really ventured into the lakes much from here because there's so much on the doorstep but it's very close.

It's not cheap but compared to the south east I imagine it's fairly reasonable still.

Penrith area would be fine also, I wouldn't want to live near the tourist honeypot areas personally. Nightmare in school holidays or on sunny weekends.

I'd be wary of living in a tourist spot or on a route to one. If its like the Peak Distruct Honeypot, they are bedlam in a normal summer.

It rains.
A lot.

Hasn't in Arnside since we moved. We've had a fantastic summer really.

And still no one's said Barrow...

Cheap houses...

I live in Kendal having moved to work in the mid 80's but until recently hve been working over in Newcastle but still kept my 'home in Kendal. Now back full time thanks to a change to home working, and enjoying being in Kendal. Its great to be away from the trafic and aggrivigation of a big city.

Kendal is far enough away from the Lakes to avoids being crowded by tourists in the summer, and most services. Small hospital so for many things need to travel to the big hospital in Lancaster. Been okwit my health, but if I had somethig seriously ill with me would want to be back in Newcastle.

For road biking Kendal has the pennines and dales close at hand.

From almost anywhere in town you can be outside of town on your bike in 10 minutes.

Kendal has grown a lot in the 30 years since I arrivied so lots of incommers many of which hve been attracted by the outdoor life.

Clubs and facilities for most sports.

In pre COVID times Brewery Arts Centre was a mainstay of cultural life, and it has survived.

Enough shops to meet everday needs.

Almost everywhere is within resonable reach on foot.

Wetter than the south east but dryer than the central lakes.

If some where bigger would suit your family better you might consider Lancaster, or if you would like village life one of the villages in the Lune valley.

You realy need to come up to see which place's vibe woudl suit your family. But there is enough choice of different vibes to find your match.

For me the main disadvantage is the distance to travel back down south to suport my ageing parents. The Lakes and Dales are special but so are the South Downs and the Surrey Hills in a different way.

Ulverstonian here, would go for Kendal/Arnside as the 20/30 mins to the M6 can be a drag. Also the road is prone to accidents. Penrith is good should also Sedbergh if you're made of money but extra miles if the bulk of your business is south of J36.

I just spent the bank holiday weekend in Bowness. Wasn’t that busy tbh. Not as busy as say trying to get into / through Leeds in rush hour.
A bit short of amenities compared to Leeds/Bradford but I could live with it

And still no one’s said Barrow…

A bit more than 20mins from the M6, about 45mins according to the matrix sign on the link road.

Another slightly cheaper village alternative to Arnside is Over Kellet on the other side of the M6. West of the mway can get a bit more noise carried on the prevailing wind but there is a little hill that blocks it most days (neighbouring Nether Kellet and Burton in Kendal are noticeably noisier).

And still no one’s said Barrow…

I wonder why?

Kirkby Lonsdale and Arnside are the best places according to the Sunday Times... 🙂

https://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/news/19189859.arnside-kirkby-lonsdale-sunday-times-best-places-live/

One thing that's been touched on but not properly explored is access.

If your life is northwards (family, friends), then penrith connects to newcastle reasoably well and you can shoot up - but your life is currently in the south. That means maximising your ability to actually travel - which in turn means nowhere closer to the lakes than Kendal (as the roads start becoming a nightmare both with and without holidaymakers traffic).

I thought about this a while ago, and realised that as dead as it might seem, kendal area (or the dales, or lancaster) is the only sensible choice.

As a few have already said - South Lakes and particularly Ulverston is nice. Not quite in National Park so house prices are realistic. A590 can be a PITA and is frequently closed due to accidents but can be bypassed with local knowledge.
LOL at person who mentioned Bowness!

Grange over Sands hasn't been mentioned I don't think. Bit old population wise but significantly nearer the M6 than Ulverston and quite grand with a beautiful outlook over Morecambe Bay.

I did mention G-o-S as part of the 20min limit. The other villages around there are worth looking at: Lindale; Newton-in-Cartmel; etc. Cartmel itself is worth a look but can be touristy at times and it takes ten minutes just getting to the A590. That sort of rules out Cark and Allithwaite as well.

Most of that area acts as a feeder to Dallam School (the Arnside area does as well) so there's busses to handle that.

Yeah, the A590 is a pain - two serious accidents (plus others) at Gilpin Bridge in the last month. Oddly the filling station at Newby Bridge is also an accident blackspot.

My parents moved to Kendal and that would be my choice too. Too many parents think that bringing up the kids in the countryside is idyllic but they do actually need regular town type entertainment. I don't think there's a swimming pool in Kendal, but other than that it probably has most of what you need. Also its not going to suffer the normal traffic bottlenecks you get around Ambleside / Windermere in tourist season.

When I last went in to Penrith I was pleasantly surprised, its been sympathetically re-developed in parts and I thought it would be a nice place to live, although the roundabouts on the A66 seem to be prone to congestion but there seem to be back routes around these that locals know about.

I don’t think there’s a swimming pool in Kendal

There is a 25m pool at Kendal Leisure Centre.

grum
Full Member
Ulverston is nice and a bit going on there (mostly organised by my pals in fact!)

probably know some people in common then. Lived there til 24ish but have been going back most years until Covid.

Unlikely to move back but if I did, I'd be leaning towards north of A66, Wigton to Penrith area or t'other side of M6. Otherwise, Staveley, Kendal.

Oddly the filling station at Newby Bridge is also an accident blackspot.

This does not surprise me in the slightest. Hard to exit it safely turning right, as people don't slow down after the dual carriageway, or aren't paying attention. I use the one on the eastbound a bit further along, which has its own issues, but at least it isn't on a blind bend!

A590 in general is a deceptively unsafe stretch of road, for a variety of reasons.

If some where bigger would suit your family better you might consider Lancaster, or if you would like village life one of the villages in the Lune valley.

Lived in Lancaster for a good chunk of my life. As a small city, I liked it. There's plenty of stuff to do and it has most amenities but it feels small (which is a good thing in my eyes, but not to everyone I guess).

That said, Lancaster is pretty rubbish for MTB anywhere nearby. It's fine if you're happy to drive 40-60 mins for a Lakes excursion, but I found it frustrating that there was nothing nearby for shorter rides. Road rides probably OK though - it's fairly quick to get out into Trough of Bowland.

probably know some people in common then.

Everyone knows Dave Crossley/Mister Monster don't they? 🙂

Too many parents think that bringing up the kids in the countryside is idyllic but they do actually need regular town type entertainment.

Agree with this to an extent. I grew up in the countryside and I loved it when I was young but once you're in your teens it can feel a bit isolating. Parents will be required to do a lot of driving. Arnside has a train station with direct trains to Lancaster/Manchester for when they're a bit older though.

We moved from Carlisle to Sedgwick (just south of Kendal), back in December 2019. Generally we love it, but one thing I've noticed is that access to the Lakes from the south is more tourist dependent than from the north. Travelling from Carlisle, I found that pretty much all year round we could get to Keswick within 50 minutes, whereas the main route through the Windermere and Ambleside fluctuates a hell of a lot more.

If you are thinking of continuing village life the the below are worth a look on the Penrith stretch starting North to South. All have great road biking some better than others for MTB. Most have large percentage of incomers.

Kirkoswald - impressive village, highest average salary in Cumbria so prices are high but also very active village. Pennine access. Pushing the twenty minute rule
Skelton - good access to Carlisle, good housing stock but maybe a bit more local
Greystoke/Penruddock - Lakes fringe with nice feel and good houses
Askham - I lived here about 16 years ago and it was great but nothing available when we wanted to buy. Much busier now it had two good pubs but also has Askham Hall and Lowther castle pulling in big numbers. Direct access to High Street for MTB. Budget may struggle
Great Strickland/Morland - Reasonable houusing stock, Morland has a mix of old and new properties
Maulds Meaburn - Lovely sleepy village access to Dales riding both road and off road
Orton - Just a few minutes from Tebay

Staveley is a great village for me, fairly normal for the lakes, tried to move there pre-COVID but outbid on a house. I spend a lot of time in Langdale as I have a house I can stay in there, the traffic through Windermere to Ambleside can be pretty bad anytime of year. Definitely stick to the edges or outside of the park.

Everyone knows Dave Crossley/Mister Monster don’t they? 🙂

Yep, haven't seen him for years (decades almost) but we were Honeypot fam back in the 90s!

Back on topic, I would hate to do the 590 to M6 every day. B-i-L does Dalton to Kendal (similar journey) but at odd hours as he's on shifts - 8am/5pm would be miserable.

Kind of agree with the above. Me and my sister have very different feelings about the village we grew up in. I loved the countryside, walked and rode everywhere (including some very long walks back from the pub in the closest town) but she hated it, lack of friends, shopping, transport was pretty tough for her.

Also be prepared that they might develop some dubious driving habits...... we did a lot of dumb stuff bombing around country lanes at night....

Thanks all for the replys we are going to try and get up there for a long weekend to have a good look around. Walk around some of the towns and villages to see what we like etc.

We are FULL look elsewhere 🙂

In the renting game at the minute myself and prices are pretty daft Kendal is a good choice even the pub selection is getting better Staveley is ace but houses go in days and there is not a lot about. I,m just playing the waiting game and moving to Scotland in 3 years when my daughter goes to university!

Cark is a fine village as is allithwaite, cartmel has the scene tax but it’s a nice spot. Few of us used to meet from the engine in Cark.

If i wasn’t where I am then I’d be back in Cark in a heartbeat

We are FULL look elsewhere

I'm sure I remember you moved there not that long ago. Bloody incomers 😛

I’m sure I remember you moved there not that long ago. Bloody incomers

It's the people moving into an area who tend to be noisiest about preserving what they have bought

what do your kids like to do, any acitivities, clubs sports they take part in now?
In different pats of the county there are some excellent sports clubs if thats a priority.

what do your kids like to do, any acitivities, clubs sports they take part in now?
In different pats of the county there are some excellent sports clubs if thats a priority.

both MTB eldest also does basketball and rugby, youngest also climbs and capoeira

Would say both enjoy their sports and are good at them they are not future world champions. Clubs are important I see that Kendal has a MTB club and rugby club as well as an indoor climbing wall. While Penrith has rugby and climbing.

Lots of good rubgy clubs across cumbria, Kendal also has a pool if thats of use.
Whinlatter has an excellent MTB academy for juniors, but has a long waiting list to get in, climbing club in keswick as well. Kendal climbing centre very good as well.

Was going to say Kirkby Lonsdale, but someone has beaten me to it. Not Lakes, not Dales, but some bloody brilliant pubs.

Also a very active rugby club (and a brewery).

Bit of an update we have decided to move. So it looks like we will be moving to Penrith some point in the spring. It was the transport links, cost of housing and really friendly bike shop sold it to us.

Now just need to sort.

Selling a house, buying a house, maybe renting a house not that they are any for rent, Schools. Packing etc

Congratulations!

Great tea rooms...

I would add some more advice: wellies

My advice would be: snorkel

I would add some more advice: wellies

Finest rubber boots!

For all that frightfull mud and omska

 

Penriths a great Lal spot. Even though they do talk funny.

Congrats! I was in Penrith recently and the centre is smart - it's a nice mix of the traditional and more modern shops/cafes etc and not as hideously touristy as much of the lakes.

There's an arts company there I've worked for who organise the Winter Droving which is pretty cool also.

'Lancaster ranked as the second most rainy city, seeing an average of 152.3 days of rainfall a year and 1048.8mm of rain annually.'

Thanks all

‘Lancaster ranked as the second most rainy city, seeing an average of 152.3 days of rainfall a year and 1048.8mm of rain annually.

Always thought it was Glasgow after Cardiff As a native to the west cost I'm sure I will be fine.

I would add some more advice: wellies

My advice would be: snorkel

I would be lying if I said the flooding hadn't influenced our specific chosen location

Great news. We moved from Southampton to Keswick 17 years ago. Live just outside the town so not too bothered by tourist influx and kids now 12 and 13 very happy here. Penrith is ideal for a family and houses better value. Hope your move is a success, happy to meet up in Keswick area if you would like a chat or bike ride?

If you value your kids well being, don't make them move mid term or during exams. Wait till they move from primary to secondary school, or school to college.

As above, the best thing about the North West is Booths! Although the one in Keswick was a bit down class Waitrose when I went in during the summer

Great news. We moved from Southampton to Keswick 17 years ago. Live just outside the town so not too bothered by tourist influx and kids now 12 and 13 very happy here. Penrith is ideal for a family and houses better value. Hope your move is a success, happy to meet up in Keswick area if you would like a chat or bike ride?

That would be great as will need some help finding all the trails. Do your kids ride? as mine will be looking for some riding buddies.

If you value your kids well being, don’t make them move mid term or during exams. Wait till they move from primary to secondary school, or school to college.

Why? I thought moving before the summer holidays was a good thing so they could make friends before the holidays. Both are not at exam age so that part shouldn’t be a problem