Where to live?

Davesnave

OP has made a decision and isn't considering Norwich, so it's roughly about as relevant as Nantwich or Norwood!

mangog

Oh, sorry - I must have missed that.

Beg to disagree with MysteryMe on Norwich having lost its character but as DaveSnave says it's irrelevant if the decision has been made already!

Moneymadmark

HollySocks wrote: »

Thanks MadMark.
Haven't bought anywhere yet, but have kinda settled on the idea of Cleveleys/Bispham/Norbrook.
I've taken care of my Dads little dog. A cute Pomeranian. An Aunty was looking after it after Dad passed. She's cute, likes nothing better than sitting on my lap, but is very anti social. The dog that is, not my Aunty. She will be a nightmare on Cleveleys High St, yapping at all the other dogs. But I'm looking forward to it. And the bike riding. And the coffee shops. And the £5 cinema.

It's just finding somewhere now? Only looking at places close to the seafront. Its very bungalow-y round there. Bispham has more, larger semi detached, townhouses for sale.

I did put an offer in on a place in Bispham but it was rejected yesterday.
What's your thoughts on Bispham? It seems ok, not quite got the prom that Cleveleys has. Its not too rough though is it? Not too many staffies off lead on the seafront there? I lost a dog, and having a new one, I'm a bit nervous of other dogs off lead. That's why Cleveleys looked great, lots of signs saying dogs have to be on lead on the seafront. But didn't see anything like that in Bispham?

To be fair, I would not want to give an opinion of Bispham as a place to live - just because of my lack of precise knowledge - but generally with most of the Blackpool (Fylde coast) area, the further away from the seafront the more chance there is of perhaps finding streets that Blackpool would prefer the tourists not to see.

That is not to portray that away from the prom it is Dodge City - as some of Blackpool's best areas are quite away from the seafront - but obviously, the money goes to attracting tourists hence the millions of pounds spent on the prom rather than perhaps further back roads. Then again, the new prom is also meant to prevent flooding - it really is just a case of a shortage of money allocated to Northern Towns/cities but I will not get into that! To be fair, Blackpool are spending money trying to improve other areas, notably Blackpool North.

To get a better assessment of areas, catch a few buses if you feel that it possible. The Number 7 is a good one to catch as it goes from Cleveleys to Lytham i.e most of the Fylde but takes in a lot of the back streets rather than just the Prom.

You can buy a 24 hour ticket, I think they still cost £5.50, and that will allow you unlimited travel on Blackpool Transport buses and trams for 24 hours. Other date range tickets are available i.e 3-day or 7-day, but I have no idea of their price,

Also, after debating this last night, I think I have told you wrong about pronouncing "Bispham". The "ham" is more like in "Tottenham" rather than in "Fulham". Hence try more like "Bisp-hum", "Bisp'um" or "Bis-pum" but say it in one go i.e no pause in the middle. I have probably confused you more, sorry.


I do not own a dog, so again, would not like to guess on the regulations at Bispham. I do know, according to a leaflet that I saw, that Blackpool Council are wanting to introduce tougher controls on dog walking e.g minimum age for walkers, leads at all times.

whatsthenews

Have you thought about the North east? There's the Durham heritage coast along with the walk that stretches for 11 miles. Very interesting coast line with many wooded denes with walks through them too. Not all of the path will be cyclable, but , because it's an ex mining area County Durham also has miles of cycle trails which follow the old railway lines including the Coast to Coast cycle route which runs from Whitehaven to Sunderland. Durham is lucky in that it has a lot of beautiful unspoiled countryside, quite a few nature reserves and both Weardale and parts of Teesdale, plus the NE is one of the cheapest places to live.

Durham city is nice (but out of your budget!) and it's on the main east coast train line and only 20 mins into Newcastle or Metro Centre if you want /need bigger shops etc.


Depending on where you lived (obviously!) £140-150 k could get you a nice 3 bed semi in a decent area with a garden and garage.
Now obviously just like anywhere there are some no go small villages and housing estates around the county, but you can usually tell if somewhere's a bad area by the house price. Also would be worth looking at the national crime stats for any areas you're thinking about.



I'm wondering if it might be better to rent a house in a new area fro 6 months before buying anything?

MysteryMe

mangog wrote: »

Oh, sorry - I must have missed that.

Beg to disagree with MysteryMe on Norwich having lost its character but as DaveSnave says it's irrelevant if the decision has been made already!

I wasn't suggesting Norwich is a dump but keep it real, people are not stupid. They will have noticed the shopping malls and precincts that have been built.