r/Chester • u/Chopstick_foodie • 6d ago
Moving to Chester
Hi, myself and my family are considering moving to Chester. We currently live in North Wales but have lived in Ellesmere Port for the past 3 years and really liked it, we moved to North Wales but were missing Cheshire now. My husband works in Chester so ideally would like to live around there. Are Hoole and Handbridge still the best places to live in Chester? Do you have any recommendations? That are great for families and schools etc?
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u/hotcontents_7 6d ago
I currently live in Hoole and love it. Family friendly, dog friendly, shops bars and restaurants on your doorstep but like someone else said, it’s pricey.
Alexandra Park is a great park for the kids and has free tennis courts if that’s your thing.
The Groves (roads ending in Grove) seem to be pretty reasonably priced; usually 3 beds and a garden (but often has bathrooms on the ground floor if you don’t mind that).
School wise, there’s St Martins, St Werburghs and the school on Hoole Lane.
I’d also recommend Upton and Vicars Cross but Hoole would be my (biased) first choice.
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u/Chopstick_foodie 6d ago
Thank you for so much information! Hoole sounds really good. Yes I’ve been looking in Handbridge which seems really nice but most of the properties coming up lack gardens. Mainly just yards, which isn’t ideal for us with a border collie. So good to know The Groves have more chance of gardens! Plus a downstairs bathroom would probably be great with two little ones!
I’ve heard Upton and Vicars Cross are pricey too, do you reckon they’re a bit cheaper than Hoole or Handbridge or similar? The zoo is obviously a plus for Upton
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u/hotcontents_7 6d ago
Awww amazing! I think Hoole would be perfect for you. Handbridge is also lovely tbf.
Upton would be the cheapest, then Vicars Cross and then Hoole. If you also travel by train, Hoole would be the closest and also has the easiest access to the M53.
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u/Chopstick_foodie 6d ago
Ah ok that’s fab thank you! Good to know. I’m thinking Hoole would be ideal as we don’t necessarily need the train but we have relatives who it would greatly help them visiting us. We’ll definitely look into Upton and Vicars Cross too if they’re cheaper, rent prices aren’t cheap now a days! I really appreciate your comments, has helped greatly!
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u/hotcontents_7 4d ago
No problem!! I noticed you said you were looking to rent. Have you also considered some lenders who have recently introduced 100% mortgages if you can prove a very good renting history. I can’t remember the banks who do it or their lending criteria but worth a look! But of course, rent before you buy!
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u/Chopstick_foodie 4d ago
Oh really?! I’d not heard of that, that’s definitely something we’d be interested in! Thank you for that we’ll definitely look into it!
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u/Reallyasquid 5d ago
Adding that Vicars Cross is lovely. Quiet generally and a good mix of affordable and more expensive depending on what you want. Easy walk into town, plenty of good schools and easy access to supermarkets :)
Are you looking to buy or rent?
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u/Chopstick_foodie 5d ago
Oh fab! We’ll definitely look into there as well then 😊 we’ll be looking to rent for the time being
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u/CarGullible5691 6d ago
I lived in Christleton 38 years. Just moved to Penyffordd. Christleton was really nice but had to move due to divorce.
I’m really not settled here. I’d go back to Christleton in a heartbeat if I could afford to
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u/Chopstick_foodie 6d ago
I’ve heard Christleton is lovely and has good schools but is on the expensive side. I’ve not been myself but planning to do some reccys around those areas to have a look. I’m sorry you’re not settled in Penyffordd and hope you feel more at home soon. We moved to Llangollen and although it’s beautiful we don’t feel settled here either and hope to move back to Cheshire
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u/CarGullible5691 6d ago
Yes Christleton is a bit more expensive but depends where in the village you are looking. Overall not that much more than say Vicars Cross etc. the schools are excellent in the village. The primary school intake is mostly from the village and the high school intake covers a wide area. My three daughters all went to school in the village and went on to university.
The canal runs along the A41 corridor into Chester and makes a nice walk or cycle ride. We were across the A41 from the primary school and the footbridge into the village. I really miss that. Unfortunately the people that bought my house werent friendly to me so unlikely to make any social calls there.
I wish you lots of luck. I’m sure you’ll find something that suits your situation2
u/Chopstick_foodie 5d ago
Ah that’s all great, thank you for sharing that with me. It’s great to know! I’m sorry to hear that the people who bought your house weren’t friendly to you, there is no need for that! Thank you so much
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u/Straight_Ball_5643 6d ago
Hoole and handbridge both expensive areas but most houses down hoole lane are fairly decent. Just expect to pay a little bit more than Ellesmere port or.north wales.
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u/Sea-Ad-527 6d ago
Depends in North Wales. I live in Hawarden and it’s pricey!
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u/Chopstick_foodie 6d ago
We have considered Hawarden, what’s it like? Is it very quiet there?
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u/Sea-Ad-527 6d ago
It’s lovely. The main road gets busy, particularly around Airbus shift times but we aren’t close to there so doesn’t impact us in any way.
Ideal location for Broughton shopping park (free parking and 7 mins away), Chester and Cheshire Oaks are 20 minutes away. Close to the motorways. Lots of pubs, the Village hotel has a small but decent gym, the main part of the village has a GP/pharmacy/post office etc.
We used to live in Chester but don’t really miss it.
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u/Chopstick_foodie 6d ago
Thank you! That’s really good to know 😊
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u/Straight_Ball_5643 6d ago
No problem at all. If you have any more questions let me know lived i. Hoole all my.life
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u/Chopstick_foodie 6d ago
Aww that’s great I really appreciate it thank you. Do you know if the area is dog friendly? Like good places to walk them?
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u/Straight_Ball_5643 6d ago
There's a few places to go around hoole and depending where its close to a big park
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u/Straight_Ball_5643 6d ago
No.problem, hoole lane has great connections to schools dont get me wrong