Relocation Advice Needed - Preston and Surrounding Areas

Clare127

Hi Everyone,

I have recently been offered a job in Preston City Centre and as we currently live in Southport (still a commutable distance but not one I'd like to do long term!), we are looking to move closer to Preston.

I don't know Preston at all and my interview was the first time I'd ever been there so I don't know where to look and where to avoid! I've tried searching the threads here but the only thing I could find that was relevant was a good few years old so thought I'd ask for some up to date advice.

Where would you suggest renting in and around Preston and where should I absolutely avoid? I am looking for good transport links (I drive but partner does not), somewhere out of the centre and preferably with easy links to Liverpool as that is where all my family is!

Thanks in advance!

spadoosh

Im going to split it north and south of the river. I would avoid the north, it tends to be more busy, more expensive but there are some really nice areas around there (grimsargh, goosnargh, barton). As you get to the city centre its a lot more busy so ashton on ribble, deepdale, the university and riversway are all walking distance to town. East of the city youve got brookfield/ribbleton and the more industrial end of preston.

Going south of the river youve got south ribble which is a bit more suburbia although very close to motorways. Id suggest looking around south ribble. It seems to tick most of the things you say you want in that itll take 20 minutes or so to get in to preston during rush hour and you should never be more than an hour away from liverpool.

Youll probably know liverpool road. It links preston and southport, Villages around there include penwortham, longton, new longton much hoole, little hoole, but you probably wouldnt want to go much further away than that. I think theyre all nice places to live. the closer to prestonthe better the public transport. Most are ok but i remember a friend being quote restricted with transport living in one of the hoole's.

Red-Squirrel_2

I work in Preston from time to time, don't know it amazingly well but I like Longton. Its very rural feeling but only a relatively short drive into the city and close to the M6/61/65 for getting out of Preston!

South Ribble was recently named the best place to live in the country: https://www.theguardian.com/money/shortcuts/2017/feb/22/south-ribble-best-place-to-live-if-in-20s

Clare127

Thank you for the replies! Looks like South Ribble is my best bet. I've been able to find some affordable places in Leyland - is this a decent enough place to live?

patchwork_cat

It is just over 30 mins - perfectly doable. If after commuting for a while you are fed up you will know the area much better and be able to make an informed decision.

mattyprice4004

Hello from a local!
I've lived in Preston and Southport, now living the dream over in Skelmersdale (sarcasm!) but have to go where work takes me.

Preston is a nice place to live, there's some bargains to be had around Ashton but I wouldn't go much more central than that. I lived in Ashton for a year and had no trouble, it's central enough for easy access but without the crazy traffic.

Leyland is nice, check out Clayton Le Woods for a cheaper bit (which is also right on the M6 for brilliant access) however traffic into the centre can be a bit hectic in rush hour - the Tickled Trout junction of the M6 leading to the centre can be busy, so I prefer coming off at the M65 and following that route past the Capitol Centre for town centre access.

Commuting via train is a good option, the traffic can be quite bad. Good luck!

Gleeful

Clare127 wrote: »

Thank you for the replies! Looks like South Ribble is my best bet. I've been able to find some affordable places in Leyland - is this a decent enough place to live?

I'm from Preston and you would have to pay me to live in Leyland

Schools aren't great there either if that is a consideration

CruisingSaver

Gleeful wrote: »

I'm from Preston and you would have to pay me to live in Leyland

Schools aren't great there either if that is a consideration

Although it does have one of the top 6th form colleges in the country in Runshaw College!

Contessa

It might be worth looking at the Fylde.

Kirkham is one stop away by train and also close to the M55.