moving to oldham area, need advice

moonpiesmummy

Hi
we are planning to move next year and are looking for areas that are within 30-40 minutes easy drive to Oldham, preferably to the east of Oldham. We dont know the area at all as we're a pair of - friendly - Southern jessies). I've been doing some research on the internet and am getting nowhere - so I thought I'd ask around to get some opinions. Our tick list is:

- good community feel
- easy travel links to London (family there)
- rural (ish)
- a good selection of pubs & restaurants, independent shops etc
- a bit of culture
- low crime rates

..many thanks

Guest101

Oldham introduced a queuing system and 1 drink at a time maximum in it's bars to curb violence.


It might be better now, but I doubt it.

Person_one

There are some nice bits, saddleworth is lovely and ticks most of your boxes, Shaw and parts of Chaddedton are nice but the town centre is a dump, the council are useless and on the whole there are probably better places to live in other parts of Greater Manchester. What connects you to Oldham?

clint_S

The M62 east of Oldham is one of the busiest and congested roads in Europe. There are lots of really nice areas and the countryside around there, Peak district, is beautiful. If you drive in 40 minutes during the average rush hour you can get as far west as Warrington(just), North as Preston\Leyland, south Wilmslow (very nice area). Depending on your budget depends on where to look. Altrincham and surrounding areas would be a good place to start as south Manchester tends to be nicer.


Bowden tends to be when Footballers live, and Lymm has a lot of the BBC presenters.

patchwork_cat

Have a look at Hebden Bridge or Littleborough.

alchemist.1

clint_S wrote: »

The M62 east of Oldham is one of the busiest and congested roads in Europe. There are lots of really nice areas and the countryside around there, Peak district, is beautiful. If you drive in 40 minutes during the average rush hour you can get as far west as Warrington(just), North as Preston\Leyland, south Wilmslow (very nice area). Depending on your budget depends on where to look. Altrincham and surrounding areas would be a good place to start as south Manchester tends to be nicer.


Bowden tends to be when Footballers live, and Lymm has a lot of the BBC presenters.

They will still be stuck on the M60 within 40 minutes at rush hour never mind getting out onto the M56 towards Warrington.

alchemist.1

I'm not sure anywhere near Oldham meets all of your criteria.

If you want good pubs, independent shops, culture etc then you are better off in areas like Chorlton and Didsbury. Trams into Manchester Piccaddilly for your trip down. Not ruralish though. you would just about make it home in rush hour.

Greenfield, Uppermill and Marple for ruralish . The first two fall in Saddleworth. All three fall in your criteria apart from the travel links to London and the independent shops etc

whizzybee

It sort of depends on what your budget is, although property prices up here are far more reasonable than down south! If you want a rural-ish area, then most of the eastern fringe of the Pennines with Oldham would meet that criteria. The D's: Delph, Diggle and Dobcross. A friend of mine lives in Uppermill and it has a good high street with lots of independent traders. But the con with these places that although there are buses, you will need a car to get round. And obviously they are desriable so the price of housing reflects this. Further along and prob still within commuting distance: the valley along the railway line east - Greenfield, Marsden etc. I have only visited Marsden a couple of times but I really like it. Again, the prices reflect the location and its on the trainline as well so a bonus, although this is the real ale trail so it can get a bit messy at the weekends. But there are some good pubs around! Littleborough and Hebden Bridge way are still commutable although you would have to come through Rochdale if in the car or train/tram which can get a bit awkward. But I don't know what Rochdale is like during rush hour. Whether you want to drive or get public transport to London for connections back there, you really aren't that far away from transport links. However as alchemist.1 says, one of these places probably won't meet every single one of your criteria.

Best of luck in your search, there are plenty of places to choose from, those are the ones that I know a bit about but. And welcome to the north, its not all that grim!

sew_what

I'd say Saddleworth pretty much fits the bill.
Very community minded place - friendly and lots to get involved in.
Reasonably easy to get to to London - train from Greenfield via Manchester or by road over the tops to the M1.
Pretty rural - Saddleworth is a collection of villages nestled in the foothills of the Penines, lots of greenbelt, plenty of outdoor activities available but good links to the motorway & rail/tram network.
Lots of very friendly pubs and independent restaurants, Uppermill has the most shops.
Culture wise there's a theatre and a hall used for performances, and good links to Manchester for many more theatres etc. Brass bands are big in Saddleworth!
Not sure about crime rates, but unlikely to be high!
Book yourself a weekend at the White Hart at Lydgate and explore the area!

cns06

Be aware the Saddleworth area closes down a couple of times a year, the locals don't seem to mind but the roads become gridlock and if you need to get anywhere its not happening on those weekends!

Some other things of note. Access for removals trucks or any builders trucks / skip trucks is often very difficult in places like Dobcross, Denshaw, Greenfield etc.

Internet speeds are also an issue in places so check!

On the plus side property is cheap and in general crime is low. That said I know a few people who have had cars stolen in the rural parts as there is little police activity. Defo avoid Droylsden and Openshaw.

Oldham itself is not the best - but its (just about) better than Rochdale or any of the towns south of it like Failsworth, Middleton or Ashton.

The M62 is a nightmare from 6am till 7pm. As is the M60, A62 and A627.

Do not underestimate how bad traffic can be in Manchester in general. I worked in London for 10 years and Manchester and the whole N/W is worse - way worse. Most of the local authorities are very anti car.

On the plus side the tram network is growing quite quickly.

Might be worth considering Prestwich. Although prices will be twice as high. Depends on your budget.

HTH

moonpiesmummy

Hi All, thankyou for your kind responses. In response to why Oldham, hubby will be working there so needs to be within reasonable commuting distance.Lots of research to do, and planning to do visits to local areas after Christmas, so will check out some of your recommendations. I've been looking as far as Brighouse/Huddersfield area which also looks promising..any opinions?