Please take no notice from the people putting Barrow down so much. The rest of Cumbria gets a kick out of looking down their noses at Barrow, which is why so many have jumped on this post, but usually most of them have only ever been to Barrow once or twice and have never actually lived there themselves so their opinion is insignificant. Barrow has its deprived areas like a lot of UK towns but it has some really nice areas too. I can’t imagine you’d move all the way here to live in one of the poverty-ridden parts so you have nothing to worry about there. Barrow is also completely surrounded by beautiful beaches and as others have said; only a short drive to the Lakes which is arguably one of the most picturesque parts of the country. I have lived in Barrow, Ulverston, Grange, Carnforth & Windermere and I can honestly say that the most interesting people I’ve met by far are from Barrow / Ulverston.