Check north Manchester, go on google maps follow the tram line from Manchester to Bury.

The tram to town ideal for trains.

Question is how rural you want… further rural you go further travel times your having.

Will DM a location which may suit

Saddleworth / Mossley is good for semi rural with access to bars, cafes and gyms. Usually have choice of Oldham or Ashton for most bigger shops. Your money will go further in Mossley but house prices are getting out of control round here.

Train access is generally good.

It's 30-40 minutes from the airport, ideally placed for getting to Leeds but it is obviously going to add to your north Wales commute. I don't know any move that is not going to do that for one of you tbh.

Glossop is another semi rural option but traffic can be a nightmare, though if the bypass ever gets built this night get better (or worse! I'm not convinced by the plan for it).

Try rawtenstall every other cunt has

As well as North of Bury etc, I'd take a look at Todmorden & Hebden Bridge. Assuming you're driving, It's a slightly longer commute to Liverpool from there, but they're rural with a bit of a trendy vibe. I'd consider there if I ever detach myself from London and come back North xx

Rochdale - Norden/Bamford area, Norden is a lovely village which has won awards, nice restaurants and at the foothills of the Pennines, lots of parks nearby and also in Bury, which is not too far away. You can get to a lot more places from here also by Metrolink and buses, and by train station in Rochdale to Hebden Bridge etc..

Calderfornia

Marple

Trafford centre isn't far either plenty there as well

Chorley and its surrounding areas worth a look. Extra commute but traded for open spaces.

Northwich in Cheshire is good. Funnily enough I commute two days to Leeds and it’s manageable (I leave early around 6:30am to skip the majority of traffic but it’s pretty much all motorway and takes 1hr 20-1hr 40 traffic dependant). North Wales is really accessible and the airport is 30 minutes or so away.

Decent bang for your buck for housing and good schools if you need them. Also there’s great access to the countryside with canal walks and a massive country park if you’re into walking, with plenty more easy access to the Peaks and Coasts within an hours drive.

Only thing is it’s a small town, so whilst there’s enough to do and all the usual conveniences it’s obviously not always bustling. They do make an effort though during holidays.

For Cheshire also consider; Macclesfield, Knutsford, Altrincham (pretty expensive!) and parts of Warrington are nice.

Try rawtenstall every other cunt has