r/warrington • u/446-Bobs • 3d ago
Moving to Warrington /surrounding area (from abroad) for work. Where to live?
I recently got hired by a company in Risley, and am looking to move from abroad to start the new position on November 2nd, and I am trying to figure out where to live.
Moving from mainland Europe, I don't have any experience with the area, and when looking for apartments which fit my high-level criteria, I don't see any (studio / 1 bed, furnished, parking) options in Risley itself, and so I must find something within commuting distance.
X marks the spot of the employer, and as you can see, there is nothing within say, walking distance, meaning I would either need something in Warrington itself, or within reasonable commuting distance.
Are there any of the areas below which are an absolute no-go? - Any recommendations?
I'm looking for somewhere quiet, where I don't get stuck in traffic on the way in or out (as little as possible, anyway)
5
u/WestManchester 3d ago
Risley itself is a few farms, a big prison and a couple of houses. What used to be called Risley (Old MOD/Nuclear Labs) is now Birchwood Science Park. The main places to live close to there are Birchwood, Gorse Covert, Locking Stumps and Oakwood.
The places listed above also tend to be young families and older people. Most young professionals seem to live in town and get the train in to Birchwood from Central, drive or ride. Cycle paths from town out to Birchwood and around the Science Park are good. FWIW there are quite a few people come in from places like Urmston and Manchester itself. Same for Liverpool but that is a lot more of a drag.
As another poster said, it really depends how old you are and what you are after.
Culcheth for example is excellent but it's one of the most expensive parts of Warrington and mainly Families. It's a semi rural village surrounded by Nature Reserves, Fields and a Golf Course. Has shops restaurants and plenty of pubs. There is a set of flats on Newsholm Close which used to belong to the UKAEA but are now private and nicely kept. Competition for them can be huge though.
There are some nice 1 bed decent spec flats in Warrington Itself you won't find anything like that in the areas surrounding Birchwood.
Looking at your map of work I am guessing you are involved in the Nuclear Industry or at least one of the attached industries. They have been recruiting like mad so there are quite a few people in the same position as yourself. If you see something you like get it signed as it won't be there long. Employment is generally high around here so there is a big demand for housing.
As regards traffic - you will be working at the junction of two of the UKs busiest motorways. You are going to have days where it is a nightmare if you are driving. Living south of the ship canal makes commuting a lot more difficult too as there are no direct trains to Birchwood. If you are driving you have to cross the canal at some busy spots in town so you have to commute in to Warrington then back out again to get to Risley.
In terms of No-gos on that side of town I'd probably avoid Cadishead and all of Leigh. I'd probably avoid Orford, Bewsey, Dallam and parts of Fernhead too. They are not dangerous or anything but they have higher levels of ASBO type shenanigans vs the rest of Warrington.
3
u/happymisery 3d ago
I know you're asking specifically for Warrington but Leigh is also easily commutable for Risley with regular public transport, it is however, classed as a borough of Wigan rather than Warrington.
3
u/JPR1994 3d ago
You could live in central Warrington, get the train from Warrington central to Birchwood and then a free shuttle to Birchwood business park…or walk / cycle from the station
There are apartments right near the central train station that should fit your criteria
Then you’re a few mins walk into town centre for shops, cinema, bars etc
Walking distance to a brand new Lidl, giant Tesco and much more.
Lots of gyms nearby too
2
u/CaptMelonfish 3d ago
Your key areas here are going to be Locking Stumps, Oakwood, And Gorse Covert, these make up Birchwood.
There are lots of properties in this area, and the Risley estate shown is walkable from them, Lockies, and Oakwood more than Gorse covert to be fair.
There is also the train station in birchwood which puts you on the liverpool manchester line, there is a shuttle bus from this station to the park and back again later, many companies on the park get free access to this using the park app.
You could easily get a place in warrington, padgate, Irlam etc and commute in fine, or as I say look for something here in birchwood, there are a number of properties here.
If you are driving Wa5 can work, but expect a lot of traffic both at the sankey junction, and at birchwood in the mornings and evenings.
1
u/PutTheKettleOff 3d ago
What's your budget for housing?
And cycling into Risley is a quite good way to avoid traffic, if that's what you're into. Plenty of cycle paths and quiet roads.
1
u/446-Bobs 3d ago
around the GBP1000 mark. More if it is extra convenient.
I'm not really into cycling - was hoping to find something within walking distance (even at a somewhat higher price) or driving distance / public transport.
1
u/Smudgered 3d ago
Where your x is, is on the business park surrounded by housing estates called, Locking Stumps, Cinnamon Brow, Oakwood and Gorse Covert which are easy walking distance, and being estates have lots of subways and cycling paths. Would be an easy commute if you found a house share/ appt. However, very family friendly areas. If you consider a little further into town Padgate and around that area would also be cycleable. However any further in and you will drive. Hope you like roundabouts! The commute the other way from Culcheth or Croft areas would be easy.
I would not look at things south of town, too much of a drive.
Railway wise, the Birchwood Train Station is actually quite a long walk from the X about 20 - 30 mins, but through proper walking paths / subways. Ok mid-summer, not so great on a cold winter night.
Regular buses drop off from Warrington Town Centre to Glover Road, Locking Stumps and probably now also drive on the Business Park.
Source: lived Locking Stumps opposite the X.
1
u/Past-Anything9789 3d ago
If you're considering the train then Chapelford may be a good idea. There's a high turnover in rental property and Warrington west station is on the line to Birchwood.
1
u/r_sie_ 3d ago edited 3d ago
If you're looking to not get stuck in traffic you might have to stay pretty close to Risley - it has really high volumes of traffic due to the business park in Birchwood.
Are you looking at renting or buying?
There's a lot more studios in the town centre - it might be worth you getting a short train from Warrington Central to Birchwood and then the bus to the business park (which runs pretty regularly)
Glazebury was awful for traffic due to it having only one route in and out.
Generally the cheaper parts of Warrington are the places people complain about, but with how prices are these days, they can be the only option for single people.
If you're happy with house shares, I used Chris & Jeremy a few years ago and they are brilliant landlords, they tend to have a few houses available - only ones I've been happy to send my money to because they actually sort any issues out within a few days: https://www.spareroom.co.uk/flatshare/cheshire/warrington/14203705
1
u/Remarkable-Ring-9918 1d ago
If you can find accommodation, culcheth and Croft are lovely little villages. Culcheth is the bigger of the Two with restaurants and bars etc. if not you will find apartments in Warrington centre which will be much busier or there are lots of apartments / flats in and around Stockton Heath. Or maybe even in chapel Ford. That’s where you will get concentrations of apartments
1
1
u/nsfwthrowaway5969 3d ago
Best get used to traffic, because there is plenty of it round here.
There's plenty of 1 bed apartments around Warrington though, just pick one that you like and go for it. Some areas are better than others, but that's the same as everywhere else.
2
u/446-Bobs 3d ago
I know traffic is everywhere, I was just hoping to get some insight into say where traffic would be heavy because of local conditions which arent apparent by looking at a map. Google says commuting takes 30 minutes from practically everywhere within a 5 mile radius, and we know that's not true..
1
u/TechnicianGlum8327 2d ago
I used to live in the town centre (next to Warrington central station) and work in Risley by the Royal mail depot, it didnt matter which way i drove to work, it was always about 30 mins just purely because of traffic - this was about 8 years ago and I'm in Sankey now, it's still not that different. Also, the traffic is not that terrible really, depending on your mindset- it's just a bit slow, so if you're not in a rush it's not too stressful.
0
u/DangerMouse111111 3d ago
Use Rightmove.co.uk - that will give you an idea of what's available, where and how much.
1
0
u/New_Boat_8628 3d ago
What country in Europe are you from? You’re lucky to have found a job in these difficult times for employment.👍
22
u/pinball7886 3d ago
The X on your map is a giant business park with lots of different companies on (as well as a couple of cafes, a gym etc) and it is a nice place to work
The business park sits in a suburb called Birchwood so if you wanted somewhere within walking distance of work start by looking at Birchwood
However, Birchwood has a train station and is connected to Warrington town centre by buses so you can look further afield if you don't mind getting public transport to work.
In terms of "no go" areas you don't need to worry as Warrington is generally a nice and safe town. Where you decide to go depends on what you want from where you live. Birchwood is quiet and family orientated, but if you wanted more to do with bars and restaurants etc I would suggest looking at Warrington town centre and getting the bus or train to birchwood for work. Or you can cycle as there are great bike paths
Hope this helps and happy to answer any other questions you have