Nice places to live in Leicestershire
Discussion
I posted this in GG last week but guess it should go here.
Mrs Garyhun has family just south of Leeds and my family are near Amersham, Bucks. We've started thinking of moving from Poole to be around 2 hours or so from each family and that puts Leicester right in the middle.
So can anyone recommend any areas in the region that offer low crime, some cosmopolitan nightlife nearby (Cafes, Restaurants), has good scenery, nice walks, pubs close by etc etc. I guess we want something a little upmarket and friendly but not in a City/Town. Could be rural although do not want to be isolated.
I've been told that the following could be nice but interested in a locals perspectives on these and to give me some more to think about - Market Harbourough, Oadby, Great Stretton, Melton Mowbray.
I'm planning a trip up either late November or early next year to do some proper research but any guidance would be appreciated.
Thanks
Gary
Mrs Garyhun has family just south of Leeds and my family are near Amersham, Bucks. We've started thinking of moving from Poole to be around 2 hours or so from each family and that puts Leicester right in the middle.
So can anyone recommend any areas in the region that offer low crime, some cosmopolitan nightlife nearby (Cafes, Restaurants), has good scenery, nice walks, pubs close by etc etc. I guess we want something a little upmarket and friendly but not in a City/Town. Could be rural although do not want to be isolated.
I've been told that the following could be nice but interested in a locals perspectives on these and to give me some more to think about - Market Harbourough, Oadby, Great Stretton, Melton Mowbray.
I'm planning a trip up either late November or early next year to do some proper research but any guidance would be appreciated.
Thanks
Gary
garyhun said:
I posted this in GG last week but guess it should go here.
Mrs Garyhun has family just south of Leeds and my family are near Amersham, Bucks. We've started thinking of moving from Poole to be around 2 hours or so from each family and that puts Leicester right in the middle.
So can anyone recommend any areas in the region that offer low crime, some cosmopolitan nightlife nearby (Cafes, Restaurants), has good scenery, nice walks, pubs close by etc etc. I guess we want something a little upmarket and friendly but not in a City/Town. Could be rural although do not want to be isolated.
I've been told that the following could be nice but interested in a locals perspectives on these and to give me some more to think about - Market Harbourough, Oadby, Great Stretton, Melton Mowbray.
I'm planning a trip up either late November or early next year to do some proper research but any guidance would be appreciated.
Thanks
Gary
If the objective is to have easy travel to Leeds/Bucks then looking somewhere in the M1 corridor would make sense for ease of access to the M1 and there are plenty of options all the way through the county.Mrs Garyhun has family just south of Leeds and my family are near Amersham, Bucks. We've started thinking of moving from Poole to be around 2 hours or so from each family and that puts Leicester right in the middle.
So can anyone recommend any areas in the region that offer low crime, some cosmopolitan nightlife nearby (Cafes, Restaurants), has good scenery, nice walks, pubs close by etc etc. I guess we want something a little upmarket and friendly but not in a City/Town. Could be rural although do not want to be isolated.
I've been told that the following could be nice but interested in a locals perspectives on these and to give me some more to think about - Market Harbourough, Oadby, Great Stretton, Melton Mowbray.
I'm planning a trip up either late November or early next year to do some proper research but any guidance would be appreciated.
Thanks
Gary
The cosmopolitan nightlife and pubs may be a challenge to guarantee given the way things are at the moment (especially the pubs! :-( ) though they do exist currently but the walks and scenery within a reasonable distance, even when not on the doorstep, should not be a problem.
The one big difference is that you would be right in the middle of the land mass and so about as far from the sea as you can get and that would be very different from Poole.
LongQ said:
If the objective is to have easy travel to Leeds/Bucks then looking somewhere in the M1 corridor would make sense for ease of access to the M1 and there are plenty of options all the way through the county.
The cosmopolitan nightlife and pubs may be a challenge to guarantee given the way things are at the moment (especially the pubs! :-( ) though they do exist currently but the walks and scenery within a reasonable distance, even when not on the doorstep, should not be a problem.
The one big difference is that you would be right in the middle of the land mass and so about as far from the sea as you can get and that would be very different from Poole.
Not sure if "easy" is necessarily the case - it's more a case of being closer to her parents than the existing 5 hours now.The cosmopolitan nightlife and pubs may be a challenge to guarantee given the way things are at the moment (especially the pubs! :-( ) though they do exist currently but the walks and scenery within a reasonable distance, even when not on the doorstep, should not be a problem.
The one big difference is that you would be right in the middle of the land mass and so about as far from the sea as you can get and that would be very different from Poole.
Yes I know it's vastly different, and I may hate it, but once I've done some recon work and IF I still think it's feasible then we'll rent for 6 months to get a good feel before making any log term commitment. TBH I actually don't go to the beach very often, it's more the case probably that I know it's only a few minutes away. We shall see!
garyhun said:
LongQ said:
If the objective is to have easy travel to Leeds/Bucks then looking somewhere in the M1 corridor would make sense for ease of access to the M1 and there are plenty of options all the way through the county.
The cosmopolitan nightlife and pubs may be a challenge to guarantee given the way things are at the moment (especially the pubs! :-( ) though they do exist currently but the walks and scenery within a reasonable distance, even when not on the doorstep, should not be a problem.
The one big difference is that you would be right in the middle of the land mass and so about as far from the sea as you can get and that would be very different from Poole.
Not sure if "easy" is necessarily the case - it's more a case of being closer to her parents than the existing 5 hours now.The cosmopolitan nightlife and pubs may be a challenge to guarantee given the way things are at the moment (especially the pubs! :-( ) though they do exist currently but the walks and scenery within a reasonable distance, even when not on the doorstep, should not be a problem.
The one big difference is that you would be right in the middle of the land mass and so about as far from the sea as you can get and that would be very different from Poole.
Yes I know it's vastly different, and I may hate it, but once I've done some recon work and IF I still think it's feasible then we'll rent for 6 months to get a good feel before making any log term commitment. TBH I actually don't go to the beach very often, it's more the case probably that I know it's only a few minutes away. We shall see!
Could go the other side and the A1 but that might not be quite as useful for Bucks. Fewer options on the bad days.
As for local attractions like the sea ... I'm not far from the Peak district. Great place, love it. Yet hardly ever drive through let alone visit it properly. But it's there and knowing that means a lot. Most of Leicestershire/Rutland and southern Derbyshire offers pleasant scenery. (And of course 2 Race tracks of you are into that sort of thing.)
LongQ said:
garyhun said:
LongQ said:
If the objective is to have easy travel to Leeds/Bucks then looking somewhere in the M1 corridor would make sense for ease of access to the M1 and there are plenty of options all the way through the county.
The cosmopolitan nightlife and pubs may be a challenge to guarantee given the way things are at the moment (especially the pubs! :-( ) though they do exist currently but the walks and scenery within a reasonable distance, even when not on the doorstep, should not be a problem.
The one big difference is that you would be right in the middle of the land mass and so about as far from the sea as you can get and that would be very different from Poole.
Not sure if "easy" is necessarily the case - it's more a case of being closer to her parents than the existing 5 hours now.The cosmopolitan nightlife and pubs may be a challenge to guarantee given the way things are at the moment (especially the pubs! :-( ) though they do exist currently but the walks and scenery within a reasonable distance, even when not on the doorstep, should not be a problem.
The one big difference is that you would be right in the middle of the land mass and so about as far from the sea as you can get and that would be very different from Poole.
Yes I know it's vastly different, and I may hate it, but once I've done some recon work and IF I still think it's feasible then we'll rent for 6 months to get a good feel before making any log term commitment. TBH I actually don't go to the beach very often, it's more the case probably that I know it's only a few minutes away. We shall see!
Could go the other side and the A1 but that might not be quite as useful for Bucks. Fewer options on the bad days.
As for local attractions like the sea ... I'm not far from the Peak district. Great place, love it. Yet hardly ever drive through let alone visit it properly. But it's there and knowing that means a lot. Most of Leicestershire/Rutland and southern Derbyshire offers pleasant scenery. (And of course 2 Race tracks of you are into that sort of thing.)
The Crack Fox said:
What is your budget and what kind of place are you looking for ? Prices and standards vary wildly in Leicestershire, like most places.
For easy access to the M1 and some lovely wooded hilly countryside and parks, try the area around Woodhouse Eaves. Not far from Loughborough for all the shops and some nightlife etc. Not the cheapest place though. The Wreake Valley villages are very nice too, they're just North of Leicester, c.20 mins from M1 J21a, not far from the market town of Melton Mowbray. Rothley (as mentioned) and Quorn are pleasant too, some nice restaurants and countryside. You could also look towards the villages near Rutland water, some great places there and easy reach of the A1, Uppingham for example.
These places are all to the North of the county (my patch), and are covered by Bentons Estate Agents (no connection with them myself), have a look on their website for some ideas as they often have the cream of the property in this area on their books. Personally I'd avoid Hinckley, Coalville, much of Market Harborough and Lutterworth but each to their own. Drop me a line if you want some pointers.
Good luck.
OH - Google streetview is handy for a 'real' look at these places.
That's really helpful, thanks!!For easy access to the M1 and some lovely wooded hilly countryside and parks, try the area around Woodhouse Eaves. Not far from Loughborough for all the shops and some nightlife etc. Not the cheapest place though. The Wreake Valley villages are very nice too, they're just North of Leicester, c.20 mins from M1 J21a, not far from the market town of Melton Mowbray. Rothley (as mentioned) and Quorn are pleasant too, some nice restaurants and countryside. You could also look towards the villages near Rutland water, some great places there and easy reach of the A1, Uppingham for example.
These places are all to the North of the county (my patch), and are covered by Bentons Estate Agents (no connection with them myself), have a look on their website for some ideas as they often have the cream of the property in this area on their books. Personally I'd avoid Hinckley, Coalville, much of Market Harborough and Lutterworth but each to their own. Drop me a line if you want some pointers.
Good luck.
OH - Google streetview is handy for a 'real' look at these places.
I'll be renting to start with but after that my budget will be around £600-650K. I'm actually going to look for land and build my own but that's another story
I'm in south Notts - as far south before it becomes Leicestershire (2 mins from the A46).
You'd get a nice place for that price but it isn't exactly 'cosmopolitan' - although you can get very fresh milk for your Latte.
However, 4 miles into Notts itself you'll find West Bridgford (dahling) which IS cosmopolitan.
You'd get a nice place for that price but it isn't exactly 'cosmopolitan' - although you can get very fresh milk for your Latte.
However, 4 miles into Notts itself you'll find West Bridgford (dahling) which IS cosmopolitan.
Edited by Zip106 on Thursday 28th October 22:17
Phooey said:
Zip106 said:
Think of the '3 W's' - I'm in one of them that has a Notts postcode 
although by your big mouf on previous threads i would of thought Bulwell
Not Wysall - t'other one you muppet.
Bulwell?
Hactually I'm from sherwood originally, so just as bad
Zip106 said:
Phooey said:
Zip106 said:
Think of the '3 W's' - I'm in one of them that has a Notts postcode
although by your big mouf on previous threads i would of thought Bulwell
Not Wysall - t'other one you muppet.
Bulwell?
Hactually I'm from sherwood originally, so just as bad
Bet the house prices went down when you moved in
Tyre Tread said:
I have lived in Market Harborough for the last 14 years.
Highly recommended and your budget should buy you something rather nice.
From a travelling point of view it can't be beaten as its in the crux of the M1, M6 and A14
Just to echo Mr Tread's comments really, I have lived in MH since 2001, 600 - 650k will buy you something very nice indeed here. Crime rate is relatively low in comparison with Melton and Oadby (which, IMO, is overpriced, and experiences high volumes of traffic.) Have no experience of Great Stretton.Highly recommended and your budget should buy you something rather nice.
From a travelling point of view it can't be beaten as its in the crux of the M1, M6 and A14
There are some beautiful villages around MH which may be worth a look. The Langtons (Thorpe, Church, East, West and Tur) are lovely. Kibworth may also be worth a look.
Hope that helps. Shout if you do move here and need any help with anything.
garyhun said:
Cheers Tyre Tread & Sensa.
Our trip up is now planned for mid-Jan when we can both take a full week off to do some exploring. Guess I'll be asking for advice on hotels next
Feel free to drop me a PM when you're headed over and we'll be happy to advise on good/bad places based upon your priorities.Our trip up is now planned for mid-Jan when we can both take a full week off to do some exploring. Guess I'll be asking for advice on hotels next
I used to live in Kibworth Harcourt - nice but on the edge of the countryside, we moved about a year ago into the countryside, its fantastic and wouldn't change it for the world, we're near Hallaton, as said the Langtons, Bilesdon seems ok, Tugby, Medbourne and the surrounding villages are all lovely, PM me for more info if your interested in an insiders view.
Gassing Station | Midlands | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff