Moving to Burnley

[geoff]

I'm trying for early retirement and need somewhere very cheap to rent, but still fairly near some hillwalking country. I can't afford the Lake District or a bungalow in the Ribble Valley so I'd thought of Burnley. Any comments?

[SarzWix]

None that you'd want to hear.... It's the wrong side of the border for a start

No, but seriously, where are you now? And what sort of rent ballpark would you consider 'reasonable'? Do you need to be central to town for amenities, or will 'driving distance' do?

[geoff]

I've been looking at property websites for Burnley and there seem to be a lot of terraced houses in the 300 to 325 pcm range which look reasonable enough, and is about my price range - I did say cheap
I will be giving up my car and using my bus pass to save money, so the area needs to be reasonably close to shops, and the town centre, which probably accounts for the low rents
I have decided that giving up work and living cheaply is better than working but not enjoying it. Besides, my father died when he was 61, and his father died at 66. Well I'm 60 and have diabetes....
Which is getting off the question a bit, but explains my thinking
Have a look at some property websites yourself; some of the houses look quie nice inside

[smallblueplanet]

Ooh well there is very often a reason for 'cheap rent' - I can only say I've not been to Burnley but have never heard anything good said about it as a place. I have heard plenty of negative stuff said, but mainly about the football fans... Try googling for info?

I'd have thought you'd be better going to Scotland or Wales but that's only a wild guess off the top of my head...I'm sure there might be folk out there with better info. But to me the idea of being stuck somewhere horrible for possibly the rest of your life is not nice.

Why not think of places you'd like to be and see what you can afford? Good luck.

[bigt1888]

if hillwalking is your thing i would definetley recommend the west coast of scotland

we live near glasgow but have a holiday home near dunoon and it is without doubt the only area of the uk we would consider retiring to if we get the chance..

[SarzWix]

I don't live so far from Burnley. It's not *that* bad!

I'd also have a look at Colne, Geoff. Bit closer to countryside, decent bus service into Yorkshire or to Burnley & Manchester, but all the shops and amenities you'd want as well. Couple of good butchers and a little market, farmers market once a month, and, LBS Garden Warehouse lives there too

[Incy]

Geoff,
Where do you live at the moment? The only person I know from Burnley has told me that is the one place he would never move back to....

[SarzWix]

Might be worth a look at Cowling too Geoff. Although it's into Yorkshire... But is on the Pennine Way, and has a bus service into Lancashire and Keighley onwards. Some properties in your price range too.