Better choice,Buckinghamshire or Greater Manchester area?
#16
Re: Better choice,Buckinghamshire or Greater Manchester area?
I have been looking at both areas as possible summer stays. Which of the two do you think offers the best combination of eateries,night life,pubs, scenery,sight seeing outings such as historical venues,parks ect ect? I'm in conversation with realtors about possible homes to rent.What is the up side to picking manchester over Buckinghamshire and vice versa?
Thanks very much
Thanks very much
Is it possible for you to spend half your time in Manchester and half in Bucks? I agree with an earlier poster...you cannot compare a city to a county. If you were to say Manchester and London I would recommend London...simply because it is the capital city.
#17
Re: Better choice,Buckinghamshire or Greater Manchester area?
Yes agreed, I realise there are trains into London. I was just trying to make a big distinction between Bucks and London as there is nobody living in London who would consider Bucks to be part of London and OP seemed to be referring to the two places interchangeably.
#18
Re: Better choice,Buckinghamshire or Greater Manchester area?
Bev
What do you mean.."a lot more variety of England"? What do I truly gain by picking Manchester instead of London? I have not made up my mind just need to learn as much as possible about Manchester before deciding because it is the lesser known option for most Americans .
What do you mean.."a lot more variety of England"? What do I truly gain by picking Manchester instead of London? I have not made up my mind just need to learn as much as possible about Manchester before deciding because it is the lesser known option for most Americans .
You also have Liverpool and Chester very close, and the cities of Yorkshire not that far away, all quite different.
It always seems to me that the north has a lot of micro areas that haven't been mushed together the way a lot of the SE has by becoming suburbs of London. Still lots of great places down there, though. Not arguing against.
Bev
#19
Re: Better choice,Buckinghamshire or Greater Manchester area?
I meant you have two coasts, and the Yorkshire coast is lovely, the dales and moors, the Peak District, which is astonishing, the Lake District and other places. Plus, out of England, Wales and Scotland, even Ireland not that far away. To me it seems more varied, and all probably easier to get to, with less congested roads, than places around London if you're thinking of driving.
You also have Liverpool and Chester very close, and the cities of Yorkshire not that far away, all quite different.
It always seems to me that the north has a lot of micro areas that haven't been mushed together the way a lot of the SE has by becoming suburbs of London. Still lots of great places down there, though. Not arguing against.
Bev
You also have Liverpool and Chester very close, and the cities of Yorkshire not that far away, all quite different.
It always seems to me that the north has a lot of micro areas that haven't been mushed together the way a lot of the SE has by becoming suburbs of London. Still lots of great places down there, though. Not arguing against.
Bev
I cant comment or compare with Manchester as i have only been there once, but i assure you Bucks and surrounding areas are far from urban sprawl.
I think some northerners (not meaning you) have a warped concept of the south east of England. Kent, Sussex, and Hampshire have some of the most beautiful countryside you can find, Just as northern or western England does.
#20
Re: Better choice,Buckinghamshire or Greater Manchester area?
And there's not so much rough, wild country that close to London. Lovely countryside, but not the Peaks, or North York Moors, waterfalls and stuff. Don't know if the OP is at all interested in such things.
I could be wrong about less wild land, too, but my husband's from Surrey, and we have good friends in Bucks and Kent, so I know the SE a bit.
Bev
#21
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Re: Better choice,Buckinghamshire or Greater Manchester area?
I didn't mean that, Flea. Sorry if I wasn't clear. Only that being so close to London some of the local extremes have been polished away (or perhaps weren't there in the geography), whereas in the north there are still places that time seems to have passed by! For better or worse.
And there's not so much rough, wild country that close to London. Lovely countryside, but not the Peaks, or North York Moors, waterfalls and stuff. Don't know if the OP is at all interested in such things.
I could be wrong about less wild land, too, but my husband's from Surrey, and we have good friends in Bucks and Kent, so I know the SE a bit.
Bev
And there's not so much rough, wild country that close to London. Lovely countryside, but not the Peaks, or North York Moors, waterfalls and stuff. Don't know if the OP is at all interested in such things.
I could be wrong about less wild land, too, but my husband's from Surrey, and we have good friends in Bucks and Kent, so I know the SE a bit.
Bev
#22
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Posts: 460
Re: Better choice,Buckinghamshire or Greater Manchester area?
I meant you have two coasts, and the Yorkshire coast is lovely, the dales and moors, the Peak District, which is astonishing, the Lake District and other places. Plus, out of England, Wales and Scotland, even Ireland not that far away. To me it seems more varied, and all probably easier to get to, with less congested roads, than places around London if you're thinking of driving.
You also have Liverpool and Chester very close, and the cities of Yorkshire not that far away, all quite different.
It always seems to me that the north has a lot of micro areas that haven't been mushed together the way a lot of the SE has by becoming suburbs of London. Still lots of great places down there, though. Not arguing against.
Bev
You also have Liverpool and Chester very close, and the cities of Yorkshire not that far away, all quite different.
It always seems to me that the north has a lot of micro areas that haven't been mushed together the way a lot of the SE has by becoming suburbs of London. Still lots of great places down there, though. Not arguing against.
Bev
I think the north has much more scenic and rugged land than the south although there is some nice scenery in the south too.
#23
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Location: Orlando,Florida,living in Buckinghamshire for next 6 weeks.
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Re: Better choice,Buckinghamshire or Greater Manchester area?
Thank you Flea,Jersey,Brit1 and everyone else. Let me ask you guys a question.If you had to pick a area just out side London, what areas would they be, and would those be a better choice than picking Buckinghamshire?
I was leaning toward Bucks because it seem to offer the chance to be in the "real" countryside while not being too far away from a major uk city. But based on post of yours I have taken a good look at a few road maps and it does appear travel will not be a easy snap going from Bucks into London or to Wimbledon. I don't want the commute to be more than 45-60 minutes. Travel to and from entertainment events in manchester seem to be easier.
I was hoping to have it all(country near the city) but might not be possible. Staying inside London might have to be considered. If art,sports and culture weren't important to my stay then the choice would be very easy.
I was leaning toward Bucks because it seem to offer the chance to be in the "real" countryside while not being too far away from a major uk city. But based on post of yours I have taken a good look at a few road maps and it does appear travel will not be a easy snap going from Bucks into London or to Wimbledon. I don't want the commute to be more than 45-60 minutes. Travel to and from entertainment events in manchester seem to be easier.
I was hoping to have it all(country near the city) but might not be possible. Staying inside London might have to be considered. If art,sports and culture weren't important to my stay then the choice would be very easy.
#24
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Re: Better choice,Buckinghamshire or Greater Manchester area?
Thank you Flea,Jersey,Brit1 and everyone else. Let me ask you guys a question.If you had to pick a area just out side London, what areas would they be, and would those be a better choice than picking Buckinghamshire?
I was leaning toward Bucks because it seem to offer the chance to be in the "real" countryside while not being too far away from a major uk city. But based on post of yours I have taken a good look at a few road maps and it does appear travel will not be a easy snap going from Bucks into London or to Wimbledon. I don't want the commute to be more than 45-60 minutes. Travel to and from entertainment events in manchester seem to be easier.
I was hoping to have it all(country near the city) but might not be possible. Staying inside London might have to be considered. If art,sports and culture weren't important to my stay then the choice would be very easy.
I was leaning toward Bucks because it seem to offer the chance to be in the "real" countryside while not being too far away from a major uk city. But based on post of yours I have taken a good look at a few road maps and it does appear travel will not be a easy snap going from Bucks into London or to Wimbledon. I don't want the commute to be more than 45-60 minutes. Travel to and from entertainment events in manchester seem to be easier.
I was hoping to have it all(country near the city) but might not be possible. Staying inside London might have to be considered. If art,sports and culture weren't important to my stay then the choice would be very easy.
#25
Re: Better choice,Buckinghamshire or Greater Manchester area?
I lived in Holmfirth for 10 years, which is around 20 miles from Manchester. The scenery is wonderful if not a bit remote. It takes at least 2 hours to get to the Lake District, and Blackpool is the nearest seaside town. The centre of Manchester itself offers some great theatre, good concerts, great restaurants, some nice hotels. As does Leeds which takes around 45 minutes from Manchester. There is some wonderful history around the area, country houses, castles and museums. I loved the weather in the north, ok, its rains alot, but you also get snow in the winter (very manageable only a couple of inches at most in the built up areas). I think people are friendlier to strangers in the North.
We then lived in Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire for 2 years. Wow, I loved MK, it has a reputation of being a concrete roundabout, of which there are lots. However, I have never seen such a 'green city', there is grass everywhere (but no hills). There are loads of small villages around the centre. The shopping centre is good, the 'theatre district' has some really nice restaurants and bars, the theatre itself gets some excellent things on. There are loads of canals with nice little pubs at the side. You can drive to the Cotswolds in around 1 hour, and the closest beach is much nicer than Blackpool. There is plenty of history near by and some lovely walking areas, and of course as everyone has mentioned London is much closer. I think the people are just as friendly once you get to know them as in the North.
If we were considering going back, I think I would choose Bucks.
We then lived in Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire for 2 years. Wow, I loved MK, it has a reputation of being a concrete roundabout, of which there are lots. However, I have never seen such a 'green city', there is grass everywhere (but no hills). There are loads of small villages around the centre. The shopping centre is good, the 'theatre district' has some really nice restaurants and bars, the theatre itself gets some excellent things on. There are loads of canals with nice little pubs at the side. You can drive to the Cotswolds in around 1 hour, and the closest beach is much nicer than Blackpool. There is plenty of history near by and some lovely walking areas, and of course as everyone has mentioned London is much closer. I think the people are just as friendly once you get to know them as in the North.
If we were considering going back, I think I would choose Bucks.
#26
Re: Better choice,Buckinghamshire or Greater Manchester area?
Think of it in money terms, if you`ve got the money then Bucks wins hands down, far more upmarket and an easy commute to London etc. London is a city only rivalled by that of Paris in europe, in terms of size, history and diversity......Manchester just can`t compare. Where would you sooner live in the USA New York or Chicago? probably the same difference as choosing between London and Manchester.
#27
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Re: Better choice,Buckinghamshire or Greater Manchester area?
I have been looking at both areas as possible summer stays. Which of the two do you think offers the best combination of eateries,night life,pubs, scenery,sight seeing outings such as historical venues,parks ect ect? I'm in conversation with realtors about possible homes to rent.What is the up side to picking manchester over Buckinghamshire and vice versa?
Thanks very much
Thanks very much
#28
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Location: Orlando,Florida,living in Buckinghamshire for next 6 weeks.
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Re: Better choice,Buckinghamshire or Greater Manchester area?
Thank you Jules,Brit1,N1 and dreamer.
Jules,your new york vs chicago comparison actually registered with me in how best to look at mans vs london. If a person has ever spent quite a bit of time in either(which I have) they can attest that there really is no comparison. New York has it all, while chicago is large and has it's own style and is a nice city but culturally it is not on par with new york.
Jules if your Manchester vs London comparison is on the money then the choice is easy to make. My instincts have been torn but some what leaning toward Bucks because of it's proximity to London, Wimbledon,Brighton beach. Traveling in the uk is not the long distance journeys which are the norm here in America so hopefully where ever I land my outings will be with in reasonable reach.
Jules,your new york vs chicago comparison actually registered with me in how best to look at mans vs london. If a person has ever spent quite a bit of time in either(which I have) they can attest that there really is no comparison. New York has it all, while chicago is large and has it's own style and is a nice city but culturally it is not on par with new york.
Jules if your Manchester vs London comparison is on the money then the choice is easy to make. My instincts have been torn but some what leaning toward Bucks because of it's proximity to London, Wimbledon,Brighton beach. Traveling in the uk is not the long distance journeys which are the norm here in America so hopefully where ever I land my outings will be with in reasonable reach.
#29
Re: Better choice,Buckinghamshire or Greater Manchester area?
Thank you Jules,Brit1,N1 and dreamer.
Jules,your new york vs chicago comparison actually registered with me in how best to look at mans vs london. If a person has ever spent quite a bit of time in either(which I have) they can attest that there really is no comparison. New York has it all, while chicago is large and has it's own style and is a nice city but culturally it is not on par with new york.
Jules if your Manchester vs London comparison is on the money then the choice is easy to make. My instincts have been torn but some what leaning toward Bucks because of it's proximity to London, Wimbledon,Brighton beach. Traveling in the uk is not the long distance journeys which are the norm here in America so hopefully where ever I land my outings will be with in reasonable reach.
Jules,your new york vs chicago comparison actually registered with me in how best to look at mans vs london. If a person has ever spent quite a bit of time in either(which I have) they can attest that there really is no comparison. New York has it all, while chicago is large and has it's own style and is a nice city but culturally it is not on par with new york.
Jules if your Manchester vs London comparison is on the money then the choice is easy to make. My instincts have been torn but some what leaning toward Bucks because of it's proximity to London, Wimbledon,Brighton beach. Traveling in the uk is not the long distance journeys which are the norm here in America so hopefully where ever I land my outings will be with in reasonable reach.
I chose Chicago as an example, as its the 2/3 biggest city in the USA much as Manchester is the 2/3 biggest in the UK. I can think of numerous cities in either country that I would sooner live in than these two.
Wimbledon is very nice but forget Brighton beach its pebbly, dirty and largely a disappointment.