Nice places to live in either the Barnsley or Manchester area?

steeleez

Hello

I have a few job opportunities for a company I used to work with, if I was successful in my application, it would mean relocating from the north east. The 3 locations are Barnsley, Manchester and Rochdale.

I would be looking for a nice place to live, I am married and have a 12 year old daughter, so schools will be important, house price budget is £200k and need a minimum 3 bedroom detached house, preferably a new house or would love to be in the countryside.

Any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Gary

holgate79

Depends on budget

The villages of Cawthorne, Silkstone, penistone, woolly, wentworth, stainborough, hoylandswaine, old town and cubly all very nice ( but house prices reflect this) - all have a countryside feel except old town.

Schools penistone grammar has the best reputation and a good sixth form, if you live in woolly - possible to travel into wakefield for kettlethorpe high school - again good reputation.

Most of the other secondary school are poor.

There are some really nice areas towards the other side of the town where you can get a nice house and garden in a tucked away location for a decent price. A decent 3/4 bed house is usually between 140 -170k.

DomRavioli

Rochdale on the whole isn't a nice place to live (I've lived there on and off for 15 years); there's far nicer within an easy commute such as Todmorden/Walsden, Haslingden are all less than 30 minutes in a car. Unfortunately, they are all relatively scenic and can be prone to flooding so please check before you go! If you want to be nearer the centre, Norden/Bamford are pretty middle class, along with Slattocks in Castleton (good schools, right next to the motorway) although for £200k, you likely won't get a detached house, they are mainly semis, quads or terraces (just the architecture of the town's past!)

Manchester is a city of 1.9 million people; greater manchester is 10 boroughs, you will be priced out of Stockport (can barely get a shoebox for £200k), probably most of Chorlton, you might get something in or near didsbury but again it will be tiny. Agecroft will probs be a bit expensive; it depends what kind of area you class as nice tbh -

Avoid Moston, Lightbowne, New Moston, Harpurhey, Gorton and Longsight - I've been a Manc for 28 years and even I wouldn't go there!

Manchester doesn't have countryside as a city, but I would definitely advocate the lancs/greater manchester/yorkshire border, there's some pretty houses (or you can build your own).

There's some nice places, but you have to be picky; private schools wise there is Bury Grammar, Hulme Grammar and Manchester Girls School for mainstream education; there's plenty of good schools in the area, as well as colleges and uni (for the future) if your DD wants to stay local.

There are some new builds in Castleton, OL11 (can't remember who they are through though) which are ok prices, but are tiny on the inside - you may need a 4 bed if you live in an older 3 bed now.

suejb2

You could take a look at Prestwich or Whitefield for your budget you'll get plenty of choice.As in most areas there are good and not so good,if you take a look at Prestwich or Whitefield I'll give you a few pointers.

spacey2012

Most of Barnsley sits in the National peak district park, rolling countryside, scenic views, down to earth honest people.
The other two have neither.

Puts tin hat on and retreats.