Harrogate or Manchester

Old Oct 19th 2014, 6:41 pm
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Default Harrogate or Manchester

I'm in the process of returning to the UK with my wife, after spending 3 fabulous years in the Philippines. I would love to hear people opinions or advice regarding a couple of locations we had in mind for our future home.

I'm 36 and my wife is 28 and from the Philippines. As she has never been to the UK before she is actually relying on me to find the right home for us both, along with our nearly 1 year old.

I am originally from Surrey but I have been looking at Harrogate or Manchester as possible choices. Obviously I have been to both places before, but I would love to hear from people regarding a few things, which are;

- Homes - Roughly can afford up to £375k

- Schools - Good & reputable

- Safety - Low crime rate areas

- Things to do - I know Manchester is buzzing and lively, but I'm a little concerned that Harrogate might be a little to isolated or quiet. Our clubbing days are far behind us, so local pubs, restaurants, cinemas, casino's and the possibility to join local clubs would be ideal.

So, if you had a young family and could live in a nice area with the opportunity to have a socialable life, while making new friends which would be your choice?

Many thanks
Stevie
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Old Oct 19th 2014, 7:20 pm
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Default Re: Harrogate or Manchester

Originally Posted by steviee
I'm in the process of returning to the UK with my wife, after spending 3 fabulous years in the Philippines. I would love to hear people opinions or advice regarding a couple of locations we had in mind for our future home.

I'm 36 and my wife is 28 and from the Philippines. As she has never been to the UK before she is actually relying on me to find the right home for us both, along with our nearly 1 year old.

I am originally from Surrey but I have been looking at Harrogate or Manchester as possible choices. Obviously I have been to both places before, but I would love to hear from people regarding a few things, which are;

- Homes - Roughly can afford up to £375k

- Schools - Good & reputable

- Safety - Low crime rate areas

- Things to do - I know Manchester is buzzing and lively, but I'm a little concerned that Harrogate might be a little to isolated or quiet. Our clubbing days are far behind us, so local pubs, restaurants, cinemas, casino's and the possibility to join local clubs would be ideal.

So, if you had a young family and could live in a nice area with the opportunity to have a socialable life, while making new friends which would be your choice?

Many thanks
Stevie
Hi,
I wont pretend to know lots about Harrogate but do live about 20 minutes from there and work in the centre. We had never been before two years ago. We are in our mid 40's and think its a fabulous place to live.
You should afford a nice house for your money, schools should not be a problem and there are loads of lovely cafes, restaurants and bars to go to.
There is a small cinema there at the moment with a bigger one in the pipeline.
For me it has everything we want as a family without being to noisy and leeds and Manchester are still close enough for days out and shopping.
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Old Oct 19th 2014, 8:02 pm
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Default Re: Harrogate or Manchester

Hi,

That sounds great. To be honest, I haven't heard anyone say a bad thing about Harrogate really. We don't fancy living in a noisy area but we also don't want to be too far away from things to do. I guess we like the idea of a town with countryside close by.

Where abouts are you living?
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Old Oct 19th 2014, 8:26 pm
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Default Re: Harrogate or Manchester

I'll start with Harrogate

Happy Harrogate

Harrogate is 'happiest town' to live in in the UK | Money | theguardian.com

the worst things

Harrogate, North Yorkshire, The Worst Things
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Old Oct 19th 2014, 8:30 pm
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Default Re: Harrogate or Manchester

Manchester ..

The best of

Manchester voted best UK city, according to The economist survey - Manchester Evening News

The worst of

Manchester, Greater Manchester, The Worst Things
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Old Oct 19th 2014, 8:32 pm
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Default Re: Harrogate or Manchester

Very interesting thread.
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Old Oct 19th 2014, 8:40 pm
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Default Re: Harrogate or Manchester

As follows - dont take my word for it & please don't shoot the messenger

The best places to live in the UK

Mapped: the best places to live in England and Wales - Telegraph

The top 30 places to live

Living in Truro | Best places to live in the UK | Popular cities | PHOTO GALLERY | housetohome.co.uk
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Old Oct 19th 2014, 8:43 pm
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Default Re: Harrogate or Manchester

You are not really comparing like with like. Manchester is a huge commercial, industrial, financial and arts centre whereas Harrogate is really more of a commuter town for Places like Leeds and York and is much smaller.

A better comparison may be to compare the commuter towns around greater Manchester. These range from the downright rough to some of the most expensive places in the UK.

Places like Macclesfield or Stockport spring to mind as more the size of Harrogate.
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Old Oct 19th 2014, 8:47 pm
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Default Re: Harrogate or Manchester

post 8 ... agree fully, yet the OP had specific cities/towns in mind

From the links that I posted the OP can start doing different town & city searches. Its personal & down to lifestyle choices, age, other family members, cost of living, crime etc

No quick easy ... this one or that one

Last edited by not2old; Oct 19th 2014 at 9:32 pm.
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Old Oct 19th 2014, 8:51 pm
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Default Re: Harrogate or Manchester

Yeah I agree. I should have made clearer in my original post.

Regarding the Manchester areas, I was also looking at places such as Didsbury, Chorlton, Prestwich, Withington etc. We wouldn't want to be living in the city centre, but close enough to use the local transport.
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Old Oct 19th 2014, 8:53 pm
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Default Re: Harrogate or Manchester

Not2old - Appreciate the time to send those links.
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Old Oct 19th 2014, 8:57 pm
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Default Re: Harrogate or Manchester

what I posted was a painted picture as well as some seedy opinions of folks that live in the two places

I'd take the good - its the worst of, that I'd be more interested in.

On knowhereuk you can search by a specific location to get 'the worst of' from folks that have so much to say about the drawbacks etc. You can google crime UK, best hospitals, schools & house prices at rightmove.co.uk

Good luck with your choice location

Read the knowhere page comments on the towns & cities, truly down to earth eye opener
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Old Oct 19th 2014, 9:32 pm
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Default Re: Harrogate or Manchester

Originally Posted by steviee
Hi,

That sounds great. To be honest, I haven't heard anyone say a bad thing about Harrogate really. We don't fancy living in a noisy area but we also don't want to be too far away from things to do. I guess we like the idea of a town with countryside close by.

Where abouts are you living?
Hi,
It really is a personal choice but living in harrogate you really would still be close by to everything you want. It is only a small town though! It has regular buses, a regular bus to Leeds and a busy train station.
I live in boroughbridge a lovely town but with only around 3000 residents I would think far to quiet for you. Right in the middle of harrogate and york though so everything we want close by. Easy drive to Leeds or Sheffield if we want city's.
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Old Oct 19th 2014, 9:37 pm
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Default Re: Harrogate or Manchester

post 13 good pointers

to add to that... houses prices

Look at Harrogate property for sale - Houses & flats for sale - Zoopla
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Old Oct 20th 2014, 5:23 am
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Default Re: Harrogate or Manchester

After the first post, I was thinking same as Grayling, that these two are just not comparable with the huge spectrum of areas within Manchester. Of your narrowed down list, did you mean to include Prestwich in there? It didn't seem to fit in with the other south Manchester options you mention.

Does work come into it at all or are you in an occupation that is very flexible in that respect?

I am from Manchester and have visited Harrogate several times. Perhaps for me, a nice leafy neighbourhood in Manchester or Cheshire might just pip it (of the two) as it provides easier access to the city attractions and a major airport (within say 30 minutes). But you wouldn't go wrong with Harrogate either.
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