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Shropshire

43 replies

2littlemoos · 15/05/2017 12:57

Hello all!

I currently live in Kent/South East London.

DP, 2 small DCs and I live in a small two bed flat. I am currently a SAHM and DP works full time. We want a bigger home but also a lot of countryside and the areas in Kent that have what we want are far too expensive for us.

I have been looking at a few areas for a while and since coming across Shropshire I am hooked. From what I see it looks exactly like the county I would like my girls to grow up in. Better yet, after looking at a few different parts we can definitely afford to buy one day (renting to begin with).

I have seen a few jobs in both of our fields and our starting location will be based on one of those but I am also looking for ideas on ideal places to live with two small children (a school is not a priority for us yet) but that also has some nice things going on and not so rural that it is difficult to get to anything!

One more question. Are there certain areas where local folk aren't keen on "outsiders"? My DP mentioned it so would be good to know!

Thanks for any tips!

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specialsubject · 15/05/2017 13:46

I'm an outsider in Shropshire. Its fine , many are also incomers and of the locals, most people have travelled and come back because they know it is a great place.

Big county though - look out flooding, ( houses arent usually built in flood areas unlike elsewhere, but access can be an issue if the severn flood crosses a road ) hospitals, traffic issues.

PS don't tell anyone, don't want it getting too crowded!

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2littlemoos · 15/05/2017 18:13

Thanks for the response. Did you come from far? Feels a big risk for us but one I am willing to take!

Ha, yes my lips are sealed!

Any more out there?

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senua · 15/05/2017 18:30

Like ss said, you are asking about a huge area so it's difficult to comment. Anywhere near the Severn or Wye valleys / Welsh Marches is beautiful. Some places are remote so centre yourself near a large-ish town (there aren't that many to choose from).

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SayHelloDoris · 15/05/2017 18:48

Hi OP,

I'm quite similar to yourself. Myself and DH have a baby due and we currently live and work in London. It's looking like I'll have to give up my job once baby is here as the childcare alone is about my salary each month!

We were initially thinking of Kent but have found it to be over budget by quite a lot. The only houses we've found are for the 'Over 60's' so of course they look cheap!

We then discovered Shropshire. Beautiful county with a fair job market, that, drum roll please... Can be rural and semi rural! I'm a keen horse rider and keen to get DC into riding. This county is the ideal place Grin

You can get a beautiful, 3 bedroom detached in Shropshire for around the £160K mark. Maybe even less but be prepared to renovate quite a bit with cheaper than that... The people of Shropshire seem to love green carpets and 70's kitchens.

We are literally skint 24/7 here in London, the pricing is nutty. Move to Shropshire and we're quite well off.

Our families leave across the Basildon sort of area and his in Bedfordshire which are both again very pricey and you don't get much for your money.

You sound great OP. I am so on board with you. Let's discuss the weather over tea whilst our English springer spaniels and children play in the garden, shall we? Oh how I'd love that.

Sorry, I'm a little loopy Blush just very passionate about the move and hope I can make it happen. You too!

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2littlemoos · 15/05/2017 21:43

"Doris" hello! Oh it feels good to be on the same boat! And it adds to my determination to move there!

Oh yes, what a jolly good idea! I shall bake a cake!

Good luck with it all and congrats on your pregnancy!

Try and come back on this post if you get the ball rolling and I shall do the same!

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ginsparkles · 15/05/2017 21:48

I'm in Shropshire. Have been here most of my adult life, and I love it here.

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MerlinEmrys · 15/05/2017 21:55

I'm not in Shropshire but I wish I was!

I'm very fond of Ludlow and Bridgnorth but that's probs because they're my side of Shropshire and I visit often.

Good luck finding your dream area :-)

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20thCenturyGirl · 15/05/2017 22:02

I grew up in Shropshire. I would go back tomorrow if I could. It is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been to. It is also, on the whole, really friendly.
Good luck!

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20thCenturyGirl · 15/05/2017 22:06

It is also a really lovely place to grow up but at 18 I couldn't leave fast enough as I saw it as dull and parochial.

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TattyCat · 16/05/2017 01:02

It depends what you want. I live in Ludlow and I LOVE it. But... it takes an age to get to anywhere else - the road network is shocking but the surroundings make up for that. If you need to travel, often, then it's a pain in the arse. But I have the most fabulous view for miles, towards Shrewsbury and have Mortimer Forest on my doorstep, so I feel lucky. And there are NO traffic jams. Ever.

I feel like I'm on holiday, every day. And the people are friendly and have time to chat. That said, most people I've come across have moved into the area; the locals are ... nice, and 'local' (and useful!). And the staff in any shop insist that my dog comes in with me! Even White Stuff, which is interesting as they have a resident cat...

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TattyCat · 16/05/2017 01:05

But Bridgnorth is also fabulous. I would live there in a heartbeat too, and it's closer to the M54, Shrewsbury and Telford (which is crap) for shopping. More 'chain' shops in Bridgnorth and very few in Ludlow as they are very much a 'keep it local' town and so campaign to keep large chains out... mixed bag there! I love M&S Food and Waitrose, but the nearest are 22 miles away in Hereford.

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SayHelloDoris · 16/05/2017 10:09

TattyCat Is Telford a no no for living then? Where would you consider the best semi rural/very close to being rural Shropshire town that has fair enough transport/road links?

Thank you for commenting Flowers

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ElinorRigby · 16/05/2017 10:12

Shrewsbury?

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SayHelloDoris · 16/05/2017 10:14

Elinor Is that a reply to me? Thank you

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scurryfunge · 16/05/2017 10:16

I left Shropshire at 18 and have lived and worked in the south east. I'm now back though and semi retired. North Shropshire is very good value for money and South Shropshire, although more expensive by Midland standards, is very beautiful. The nearer you get to the Marches, the cheaper and more rural it is, though obviously you will be further from the big employers ( unless your career is dairy based).
Go for it.

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senua · 16/05/2017 10:18

On another thread somebody described Telford as "a shithole architecturally speaking, like Milton Keynes smaller, uglier sister".

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Light69 · 16/05/2017 10:19

I am in Shropshire Much Wenlock area, if you are looking for country side there is plenty. Plenty of development to so lots of deals on new homes etc, the only thing I would change is the nearest supermarket is 8 or so miles away so not easy to just pop down the road for milk.

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2littlemoos · 16/05/2017 10:21

Thank you all so much for your replies. They have all made me very excited to get things in motion and especially thanks for the tips.

More is always welcome!

Are there any places that are very difficult for travel?

I am currently learning to drive but I don't want to have to wait until then before I move. So when one of us finds work we will most likely be travelling by bicycle, plus we have a double buggy. Are there any areas you suggest we avoid based on this?

When we have secured a job we will base where we rent on that but would still be good to know!

Thank you!

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2littlemoos · 16/05/2017 10:24

"Light" down here it easier for us to have our food shop delivered as supermarkets are terrible with two small children! Is that possible where you live?

I understand the annoyance of not being able to pop to the shops though so I have taken note to stock up when we do move based on location. It may mean that last minute trips for chocolate are out of the window which I could actually do without!

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ElinorRigby · 16/05/2017 10:29

I live in the West Midlands. Generally, I'd say that Shropshire without being able to drive would be very difficult, as transport links aren't great as others have said. Buses probably few and far between - facilties for things to do with children probably not that great - and everything quite spread out. (A playgroup or a party might be miles down the road.) Therefore I'd look at Shrewsbury because it's on a reasonably good train line and seems a fairly lively place.

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Light69 · 16/05/2017 10:29

Forgot to add I moved up from Surrey a few years back. The more rural areas the supermarkets don't deliver to and I won't move out rural if you can't drive there is not a great bus service. For that you would have to stick to more built up areas think Shrewsbury or Telford where buses are every 20 minutes or so and where there is a train station.

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2littlemoos · 16/05/2017 10:47

Thank you. Although the info is vague most jobs are based in Shrewsbury and we will rent based on that.

Then hopefully in a couple of years we will be able to afford our first home and as I will definitely be driving then we have more options!

Are there any areas in Shrewsbury which you would suggest not to rent in?

Thank you both.

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Light69 · 16/05/2017 10:51

I don't know Shrewsbury that well to be honest, have mainly only been there for the hospital. There is a lot of development housing wise though and there is a proper bus Service and you can get a train from Shrewsbury station to any where in the uk.

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scurryfunge · 16/05/2017 10:51

Oswestry is a small market town which may suit your needs. Plenty of supermarkets and decent bus service. It doesn't have a railway though but the nearest one is only a couple of miles away.

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Irontheshirts · 16/05/2017 10:56

North Shropshire is cheaper than South Shropshire. There are lots of market towns such as Oswestry, Wem Market Drayton, Whitchurch, Ellesmere. You can get easy access to Chester Wrexham Wirral shrewsbury Stoke and Crewe from these places, lots of people commute but equally lots work in the small towns. It might give you more options to find work.

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