We are hoping to relocate to cumbria, around, wigton, Cockermouth, whitehaven ish kind of area, and I was wondering if any of you live in that neck of the woods (lakes, so to speak). I would like to know what it is actually like to live there, as its really hard to get an idea of the place from short visits. Also, I thought Estate Agents were supposed to hound you (I used to be one 8 years ago :) and we did!!) Its like getting blood out of stone trying to get the agents to send out details! Maybe its because I'm an incoming, Maybe 'its a local estate agents, for local people' (league of gentlemen, in of case confusion) and I'm just not local :D . any info greatly appreciated :):) julie

I bought a cottage in Keswick about 2 years ago, Julie, and found it a uphill struggle to find something. I looked for over 18 months I found the web sites were not updated quickly enough so I phoned the estate agents every week, even then a poperty coming on the market during the week would often be sold by the weekend when I could get up to look at it, if you do see something you like you cannot hang about before putting in an offer. Another thing to watch out for in these old market town is the fact that only in recent years have people outwith the area, with outside solicitors, being purchasing some of these properties, the local solicitors and local mortgage lenders were happy to turn a blind eye to freehold properties that should be leasehold. Many town properties have higglety-pigglety arrangements with rooms overlapping each other and really should be leasehold but the locals have been happy for generations just to agree maintainance stuff between them We spent 6 months messing about with one such propery before the seller decided they could not be bothered to spend money converting it to leasehold. In the end we only get the one we did because a sale fell through on it just before Christmas and we were ready with the money. I only live there part-time (I bought it for my Dandie Dinmont to hang out in while we walk the hills with my spaniel ;))but I absolutely love the area. I was a bit nervous about the locals attitude to incomers and second homers but they are very friendly and welcoming people, it has after all been a tourist area for a long time. So there you are... jolly hard work to find somewhere but well worth all the effort.

Hi I live in Workington and if your moving up here then I'm afraid you'll have to be abit more laid back(:D) We are'nt impressed by newcomers(tongue very much in cheek) and we do things at our own pace LOL Best Wishes Gillian

err....what was I saying about friendly natives :D :p

hi gillian, I have been looking for houses in workington as well!! I was looking for good dog training clubs in the area as well, getting my priorities right as usual - saw Wigton on website that looked a really good one, do you know of others??
I moved to margate from SE London 7 years ago, and think its time for a change. I Know what you mean about a different pace ;) - one of the agents I tried to register with, told me to look on their website and if I wanted details then I should download them instead of ringing her up and asking for them!!! I guess i'm just one of those pushy southerners:):) :D How dare I? :D
Julie:)

Hi if your talking about obedience training then Wigton will be hard to beat Its run by Pat Wilson who judged the obedience at Crufts a couple of years ago.Workington itself is short of training classes although I do go to a ringcraft class at Harrington on a Monday evening.There are also classes held at Ehenside School on a Wednesday evening this is in Cleator Moor which is Whitehaven way.The first hour is obedience and the second is ringcraft..We may live life at a different pace but as Isabel said we are mainly friendly and open folk :D ( :p Isabel)

HI
THANKS FOR THE HELP :) I CANT WAIT TO MOVE, I'M GOING BACK ON THE ESTATE AGENTS SITE IN A MINUTE TO SEE IF THEY'VE TAKEN ANY NEW HOUSES ON, HOPING TO COME UP FOR HALF TERM FOR THE WEEK FOR A GOOD LOOK AROUND, HOPEFULLY WE'LL HAVE FOUND SOMETHING BY THEN, MY FRIEND COMES FROM DURHAM AND TELLS ME EVERYONE IS REALLY NICE AND FRIENDLY :) I'LL LET YOU KNOW IF WE FIND ANYTHING, THEN YOU CAN HIDE ;) JULIE

hi to you both, i've just found out that caps lock typing means you are shouting - i'm definitely not shouting - please accept apologies - new to this - sorry :o julie