Relocation

[jarrow]

Hi
I too recently relocated to Marple (about 8 months ago).  I work near Didsbury and generally commute in by car. Echoing the comments of previous posters the traffic does get busy from about 7.00 am onwards but i generally go in between 6-6.30 am and there are no problems either at the Marple or manchester end. Coming home is the worst problem for driving and it generally takes me an hour or so. I usually leave a little earlier 4-4.30 so i can avoid too much congestion. Occasionally i do go in by train and bus but that takes me longer than driving, even when stuck in traffic, so i only really do that if i dont have access to the car on a given day.

As for Marple, i have a young family, and we thoroughly enjoy living in Marple. It is a lovely town and proximity to the peaks etc make it a great place to live in our experience.

Cheers

Jamie

[Mr Mansfield]

There is no doubt, that if you can, it is best to travel by train.

I use to work near Victoria station and using the train my journey time was 1 hour door to door, 10 minutes downhill walk to the station ( Marple) 25 minutes on the train to Piccadilly, probably 15 minutes including waiting for the  Metro Tram to Victoria and about ten minutes walk including a stop for coffee.

By car it could well take me over an hour and for an 8.30am start I had to make sure that I was through the traffic lights at Dan Bank by 6.55am. If I finished work at 5pm I would wait until  about 6.15pm to avoid the traffic and the stress of the rush hour.

Coming home on the train, I would go to Rose Hill station, enjoy a pint in the Railway and possibly a free hot bar snack before taking the gentle upward slope into Marple.

The only thing that annoyed me was that in the majority of cases, the trains were not clean.

[Deniseamb]

I have commuted to Manchester and back from Marple Bridge for over twenty years now.  I used to do the journeys at 8.45 to arrive for 9.30 and return at 6pm.  That way I missed the worst of the traffic both ways.  To be honest a 5pm return time is probably the worst time to travel.  I now return at 4pm and I feel that I am just ahead of the worst traffic.  i still go in at 8.45 which is better than going in any earlier.  If you have to be in really early then you need to make sure that you have left Marple Bridge/Marple by at least 7.30am otherwise the traffic is building up quite badly.
I can't wait for my youngest child to start at our local school as I find the journey up to Marple probably the most stressful thing I have to do - more stressful than travelling into Manchester.

[Belly]

Return tickets on the train are about 4.50 a day or about £60 a month for a Gt Manchester season ticket. Effectively giving you free travel on the train in Gt Manchester every day (inc Sat & Sun). This ticket also covers the Metro within the city centre which can be useful.

Train commuting is simply the only way to do the City Centre - Marple journey. I've been doing it for some time and its absolutely fine - at least 3 trains an hour.

We moved to Marple about 6 years ago and we love it. We have made great friends in the town (village? - i'm never to sure what to call it!!'>.

I think Daves description is spot on - not posh, but not rough - a great place to live and explore some fantastic local places. If you want reassurance, just take a walk up to Marple Ridge - the end of Church Lane / Ridge Road and then thnak god you chose to live close to one of the most breathtaking views in Britain!

[Pink Panther]

commuting by car from manchester is a total nightmare.

My husband did it, he needed his car because of the job he did, and it would take him an hour and a half some nights '>

If you can get the train then I would do it.

As far as schools go, I think you need to look around the schools  do your homework, ask  people, and go on your gut feeling, I live on the doorstep of one school, but my son goes to another, my neighbours are happy to send their children to that school, but Im not, its all personal choice and what you do or do not feel happy with.

[MKC]

Thank You both for the information, and to be honest since the birth of my daughter I've shortened my working day to spend a little more time with her so now try to leave work by 5 but its still not a good time to travel.
Do you know the current costs of return ticket to piccadilly from Marple?

[Dave]

An eleven hour day - sounds like hard work!

Anyway, the train service is pretty good, although the trains are a bit small and basic and get overcrowded at peak times.  The first train from Marple to Piccadilly gets in at 06.50, so you could probably commute by train.  As you say, driving in that early wouldn't be a problem, but the traffic is pretty bad if you're coming back at 6.00 p.m.  '>

[Susan]

Yes they both have trains running to manchester.

[MKC]

Thanks for both of your comments. I must admit its the commuting side I'm a little concerned with. I work right in the centre of Manchester, I know in the morning it shouldn't be a problem as I start work at 7am but I image the drive home at 6 pm will be a nightmare. But you do have two railway stations, do both of them have trains to Manchester?

[Dave]

I've lived hereabouts for 20 years and we like it a lot.  It depends what you're looking for, but for us it's the proximity of countryside with good walking, the friendliness of the people, and the fact that it's a mixed sort of area - not posh but not rough.  Plus the schools are OK.  The biggest disadvantage is the congested traffic - especially if you have to drive to or across Stockport at commuting times.   '>

[Deniseamb]

We live near both Ludworth School and St Mary's RC school on the 'Constable Drive' estate.  The advantage of it is that it is a quiet estate (not on a walking route home from a pub) with good access up the hill to Mill Brow for walking and downhill for the village.  Its also handy for getting into Manchester as you don't have to take the Dan Bank route which for me is a nightmare at the moment as I have to sometimes drop my youngest off at The Dale where he goes to nursery.  The prices are around £225,000 upwards for a detached house depending if it has been extended or not.

[MKC]

Hello to Marple.
I have joined your forum as I am hoping to relocate to Marple early next year and would like advice/comments on the area. I have been thru Marple a couple of times and in the summer  I took my little baby girl to Brabyns Park. I was amazed that everyone I met in the Park said good morning or hello. It was a pleasant surprise as nowadays most people don't normally pass the time of day with strangers.
Driving thru Marple, it looks a lovely place, but as purchasing a home is one of the biggest purchases one makes in their life I would love to hear from people with some "Local Knowledge" of the area. As I have a little girl of 17 months my main priority of course will be schooling, does anyone have any views of the schools, and also her safety. Is there area's of marple that should be avoided when purchasing property? Well I hope that I'll be joining you all in Marple early next year until then any comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.