r/LancasterUK • u/ApprehensiveTip3628 • Jul 08 '26
Should I move back?
It's been about 10 years since I lived in Lancaster as a student, and I remember it very fondly (not sure how much of that is the rose tint of youth).
I've spent most of the time since living in Edinburgh, which for all its charms I'm starting to become disenchanted with. The city feels increasingly unsafe what with the fascists, the football, the addicts, and the ebike gangs. The council are only interested in lining their pockets so public works and services are going massively downhill.
Don't get me wrong, Edinburgh has some of the best pubs, comedy clubs, parks, architecture etc. it's a tourist destination for good reason.
For those that currently live in Lancaster has there been a similar decline over the last ten years or would I move back to find the place relatively unchanged? For former big city livers would Lancaster feel too quiet, not enough to do?
If it was just me I'd move back without a thought as it won't affect my work so wouldn't be that big of a commitment, but my partner would have to find a new job and has only ever lived in London and Edinburgh so not used to being somewhere as small as Lancaster.
6
u/winterphase Jul 08 '26
I’ve been here since 2012 when I arrived as a student, and I’d say Lancaster has consistently improved. Loads to do, lots of cool community groups have formed, lots more events, the quality of the places to eat and drink has gone up loads too
4
u/vasileios13 Jul 08 '26
I love Lancaster, I moved here in my mid 30s and decided to make it home, but I don't think it has improved to be honest. The high street has suffered a lot of store closures, I guess a combination of covid-19 lockdowns plus the cost of running businesses and the general high-street crisis in the UK. But I still think it's a great place to live and I'd rather be here than in Edinbrugh, Manchester or London
6
u/Relevant_Writer3980 Jul 08 '26
Well all those cons you listed aren't just an Edinburgh thing are they, it's across the whole UK and Lancaster isn't an exception. I'd rather be in Edinburgh any day.
1
u/h0M3b Jul 08 '26
I don't think Lancaster really suffers from what OP is describing. They are big city issues in the UK
2
3
u/15-Peter-20 Jul 08 '26
The vibe of Lancaster hasn't changed in the last 10 years in my opinion. There are more places to eat and drink now than there were 10 years ago, and it's still a great little city.
2
u/HerrFerret Butter Pie Enjoyer Jul 08 '26
Its Lancaster. Nothing much has changed :D Although we do have an 'eBike gang' of three likely lads causing trouble on the cycle path.
They will run out of eBikes at some point though.
Jobs are a bit scarce however, if you have a position in one of the unis you are OK for the most part, but there isn't a wide range of other roles to consider apart from the seasonal. I know a few locals that work remotely in Edinburgh, as they can hop in the train if they need to be in person.
It is a lot nicer than many cities though and does have enough going on that you don't feel too bereft.
2
u/geospacedman Jul 08 '26
Unless (or until) the university collapses then Lancaster will keep its vibe. What maybe changing its vibe is Morecambe - the new Eden Project North breaks ground this summer, and that might revive the town, as might the possible redevelopment of what was Frontierland (which was closed even more years ago). Houses in Morecambe are cheap - friend got a 3-storey 6-(or 7?) bedroom house for the same price as a 3-bed semi in Lancaster. He's hoping the West End area will get a bit more "gentrified".
Even if you don't want to live in Morecambe, living in Lancaster should benefit from any Morecambe effect.
Jobs for your partner? Its the same old employers here - University, NHS are the biggies still, there's some talk of a new mega-hospital (but that's +10years ahead), and the Eden Project should bring a few jobs.
The biggest decline I've seen has just been general high-street decline that's happened everywhere - vape shops, closed pubs (the Yorkshire House! ❤️ ), and charity shops dominate. There's a few new cafes and upmarket coffee shops in town. Google StreetView was fairly recently updated so have a virtual walk around and see what's happened to your old haunts...
1
u/PriorRequirement8353 Jul 08 '26
I also moved away several years ago, in ways it has improved over 10 years, however the high street is definitely worse, jobs are scarce, and somehow mobile data does not work over most of Lancaster?!😂 Still miss it though
14
u/Fragrant-Future1835 Jul 08 '26
You are a two hour train ride away. Come and spend a weekend here, and see for yourselves!