Tell me about Cardiff...

[Umlellala]

Ok, have lived in London all my life, as has dh. I always thought we would bring our children up here as I want them to have the urban, multicultural, city experience I had - BUT it has occurred to us that we could possibly get this elsewhere.

And we are thinking Cardiff (have visited a bit - had an ex from Newport - and love Welsh culture).

At present, we are in a swanky part of Hackney (Stoke Newington, if you know it) which is pretty family friendly, urban, a bit bohemian and very multicultural. It has its fair share of organic/boutiquey shops and a gorgeous park. Is there anywhere like this in Cardiff? Roath? Near city centre/public transport a bonus, not fussed about 'good' schools.

Thanks!

[SniffyHock]

I've only ever visited but it's a fab place! Sure others can tell you more.

[cmotdibbler]

I lived in Cardiff for 7 years, and loved it. Its a great place as you get all the cultural stuff, but in a small city that you can walk around easiy.

Roath Park is lovely - some fab houses overlooking it, and Llandaff is an area generally considered to be a bit swanky. You can cycle down the Taff trail to the city centre without going on the road from there. Cowbridge which is just outside is posh too.

All areas are very well served by bus routes, and depending on your walking tolerance, you can walk into town from a lot of the city.

Best thing to do is to spend a few days down there and trundle round - its all changed a lot in the last few years, especially with the bay redevelopment.

[TillyScoutsmum]

My dp is from Cardiff (Lisvane which is not very boho and is a bit more like God's waiting room ). Roath is lovely and area around Wellfield Rd might be nice

[mosschops30]

I live in cardiff, and yes its a lovely city, with some lovely areas, good schools, close to the beach, nice open areas.
Roath Park is lovely, although no shops or anything. Pontcanna very good for organic eateries, little boutiques, coffee shops etc.

On the downside, the welsh can be rude, and extremely anti-english. If ur english and expecting to be welcomed by your lovely welsh neighbours then u'll be disappointed. I have been abused at family functions and in the workplace, although I deal with it much better now. I still hate it. Would move from this narrow minded country in a heartbeat

[MrsBadger]

oh Cowbridge is very chic

not at all urban-multicultural-city though

[mosschops30]

and its full of old people wearing barbour wellies, if u like that sort of thing

[Umlellala]

Thanks! Multicultural is v important to us so prob not Cowbridge I think...

We are planning to come and visit soon to see if it is a possibility.

No, Mosschops, we are English so that's slightly worrying, although I don't remember encountering any hostility albeit just as a visitor in Newport or Cardiff... anyone else found this? Abused at family functions? By who?

[mellyonion]

hi. in defence of fellow cardiffians, there are rude people everywhere, not just in cardiff!

parts of cardiff are far more boho and multicultural than others.. i can second pontcanna for being fab!

cardiff bay is swanky and a nice place to be....i think a lot will depend on obviously your housing budget, and your housing preference....ie, old house, new house, 30 yr old private estate, or 1930s terraces....posh apartment type block.....

cardiff is ace!

[Umlellala]

hmm, I think I picture the ideal as a large 4 bed Victorian terrace house - with some sort of garage (although unlikely with a terrace). Budget prob up to £350,000 (and would rather spend a lot less - as part of the plan is about reducing our mortgage considerably).

Looking forward to wandering round - so Pontcanna and Roath on the list to look round so far...

[Umlellala]

www.findaproperty.com/displayprop.aspx?edid=00&salerent=0&pid=881424&agentid=04404

What's this area like?

[mellyonion]

fab!

canton has two sort of areas, and this is the lovely bit! lots of parks and green space close by....

the downside is that theres very little off street parking in this area, and i have a feeling that this house, although lovely, is on a very busy main road, though i might be wrong.

it is very close to pontcanna though!

some estate agents deal with nicer type properties as a rule....

they tend to be local to the area they mainly sell in....

hang on, will try to put some links up...

[missblythe]

Pontcanna please, it's gorgeous here today!

Just been to the deli, bought some organic pork form the butcher and some spelt bread from the bakery.

Is like I never left Crouch End, in fact!

CAT me if you want to chat some more, just off to take DD to our LOVELY park.

[missblythe]

The two main agents in Pontcanna

www.abodecardiff.co.uk/home.htm

www.chrisjohn.co.uk/

[mellyonion]

try here

and this site

and this one

i really have loads to do you know.....

[mellyonion]

great minds miss blythe!!

i'm not too far from you!

[missblythe]

[mellyonion]

oooh ohh. am now wondering if i've seen you in the park! am slightly panicing that you may have seen me drinking wine in said park on saturday with all my maties and our kids.....

it was a posh picnic!!

[mosschops30]

try Kelvin Francis (estate agents) as they tend to deal in properties in some of the nicer areas.

and yes melly there are rude people everywhere, but not specific rudeness and hostility towards an entire group of people of a certain heritage (because that would be racism, but as its 'the english' it doesnt count')

really cardiff is very nice as I have said, its a great city, no complaints on that score

[Umlellala]

Oh, this is all sounding great! Dh and I are getting excited. Can't believe the gorgeous, huge houses it seems we could afford for less than our flat .

Gonna head down to visit in next few weeks but won't be moving prob for a few years (parents in N London far too useful while children under 5!!).

Thanks everyone - not sure what to make of the anti-english factor...

[mejon]

Pontcanna/Canton definitely great but Roath and Penylan lovely too. We used to live by Roath Mill Park and I really miss our old house. Great properties here

[cwtchy]

About the anti-English thing...I read somewhere that only about 13% of the Cardiff population would describe themselves as Welsh. I'm guessing the census data would back that up if it's right. I can't comment on being English and living in Cardiff however, as I am Welsh!