Expert: Iain Reynolds - 2/3/2004

Question
Hi Iain

I am currently working in London as an accountant. My wife (designer) and I have thought of moving to northern England and both enjoy the Lake District and surrounds. However I'm a bit worried that jobs for accountants and designers might be a bit thin on the ground in these parts. Can you recommend a town in the area that might be viable, or do you reckon we would have to live in places like Manchester, Leeds or York to find jobs of that nature and yet still be fairly close to this area? We are sort of looking to get out of a big-city lifestyle though.

Thanks

Mike

Answer
Mike,

I have recently moved jobs to be based in Co Durham!  I still live in Carlisle and travel around Cumbria but I also commute to Darlington most days.  Darlington is less than 1-hours drive (quiet roads, 5 cars in line make a traffic jam in Cumbria) into the Lakes.  Your alternative is the Northwest, Manchester, Liverpool, Burnley, Blackburn etc, all overcrowded with some as rough as chuff!  Why not consider the Northeast as it is currently expanding with good economic prospects.  You will find housing quite cheap compared to London but be warned the closer to Newcastle the higher the price.  

It may be worth considering Carlisle.  Old Roman city, quite a low level of crime, cheaper than the NE and still only 30-60mins away from most of rural Cumbria.  Going the other way it is less than 2 hours from Edinburgh and Glasgow.  I can be in the lower highlands of Scotland in-under 3 hours.  

I have lived in Carlisle for nearly 20 years now after living in London (Dalston) and still find it quiet.  Jobs are quite good at the moment with a very low level of unemployment and plenty of investment expansion going on.  With you wife in mind Carlisle was and still is a textile town if she is into that sort of thing.

Seriously I would really look at Carlisle because of its diverse large industries but small city feel.  Be warned though – do not buy a house in certain parts of the city!  Like all cities it has its down side although really minor compared to most.  I live on the outskirts in a village called Scotby and you could buy a 3B 1930's semi for about £150k or if you want a small holding, £200k+ will buy you detached with a few acres of land!

Hope this helps a little and if I can help further, just email!

Iain