Location inspiration please!

[WankmasterBastardDeLaShithead]

Okay, so this may be more like idle daydreaming rather than an actual plan, but I'm feeling fed up with fruitless property searching in my city (in Scotland), and thinking about where else I might live. The criteria are

1. Must be near hills/mountains (preferably cycling distance, but

[WankmasterBastardDeLaShithead]

Bump!

[fellrunner85]

Sheffield would fit the bill. Depends if you call the peaks proper "mountains" after being used to Scotland though!

[emsyj37]

Chester? Nice city, in easy reach of Welsh mountains. Also easy to get to Manchester or Liverpool if needed.

[WankmasterBastardDeLaShithead]

Yes, the peaks would definitely count! What are schools like?

[WankmasterBastardDeLaShithead]

Not sure Chester is close enough to the hills.

[MissFritton65]

What about East of Greater Manchester around New Mills, Whalley Bridge, Glossop? Easy access to Manchester but near to The Peak District and not crazy South Manchester prices.

[MrsCrosbyNRTB]

Wrexham? Disclaimer that I don’t know it well but my niece has moved there and loves it. Lots of photos of her and her boyfriend on hilly walks.

[fellrunner85]

@WankmasterBastardDeLaShithead , Sheffield has some of the very best state schools in the country... but v high property prices in the catchment areas. Rest of the city is a mixed bag.

The pull for me, though, is being able to run to Stanage Edge straight from my front door. Bliss.

[Standrewsschool]

Chester and York were my first thoughts.

[EducatingArti]

Stroud in Gloucestershire. Been voted best place in England to live. Independent shops, a bit of a hippy vibe, stunning hills and some excellent schools ( including grammar schools if you favour those)

[WankmasterBastardDeLaShithead]

I'm seriously tempted by Sheffield. It looks absolutely lovely. Been looking at houses in Crookes... Wow! What's the catchment system in England? If you move into a catchment area with a good school, are you guaranteed a place?

[ohthejoysoftoddler]

There are a lot of students in Crookes!

[EducatingArti]

No guarantee of place if school is oversubscribed. L A have to provide a place somewhere but it may be a distance away. You need to look at individual schools admissions policies to see how they do things

[fellrunner85]

Crookes is lovely. Lots of students, but a good mix of families too. Then it's a v short run or ride either via Crosspool or via the Rivelin Valley to the Peak.

If you move into catchment for, say, Tapton then you're virtually guaranteed a place. If you can afford it, look up the road in Crosspool too...

[WankmasterBastardDeLaShithead]

OMG... Sheffield idea is gaining traction. DH has gone from poopooing it this morning, to discussing how we can make it happen. We've never even visited Sheffield.

[WankmasterBastardDeLaShithead]

It really does hinge on whether we can do this while not making things too difficult for the kids.

[WankmasterBastardDeLaShithead]

@fellrunner85 there's a place in Crookes that's in our budget. Studenty areas appeal! The biggest sticking point really is moving our 16, 14, and 11 year old away from their friends. I'm going to phone some schools on Monday though. I'm not entirely sure, but it looks like Tapton and King Edward's would be the catchment schools. Does that sound right?

[Talkwhilstyouwalk]

Cheshire

[Subbaxeo]

We’re moving to North Wales. 15 minutes to Clwydian range, some of which are surprisingly steep and wonderful views. Some lovely villages near Mold. Chester close by for eating out and theatre. Good schools. Snowdonia, which has rugged, pointy mountains and good climbing is just over an hour away. Beaches half hour away.

[fellrunner85]

Yes, those are the catchment schools, and they're both great. Oooh that's exciting, OP! Crookes is fab.

[DanielleandBobby]

I don’t know Sheffield, but I would consider very carefully the effect a move such a long way away would have on your children, given their current ages. My parents had to move us from the north to the Midlands when I was 13 and it was very unsettling, you could say a bit traumatic even. The school I moved to wasn’t as good, and I think my education definitely suffered. It also took a while to make new friends - although that’s not to say any of your children will experience that.

That said, I hope you find what you’re looking for - good luck!

[Youreatragedystartingtohappen]

If you're frustrated by your house search where you are currently I'd avoid Sheffield. EA told me houses were going up to 30% over, one house we liked already had 19 best and final offers and you've listed some of the most popular places thanks to the schools and catchment areas.

Honestly it's brutal currently!

Good luck wherever you end up

[Youreatragedystartingtohappen]

Also you mentioned catchment areas, the two you listed specifically are massively oversubscribed currently meaning that the catchment area is quite narrow.

Having said that and being a reyt little raincloud if you do decide to join us in Sheffield it's gorgeous and the people are second to none.

We love it here hence we've never left and I don't think we ever will

[Themostwonderfultimeoftheyear]

@Subbaxeo

We’re moving to North Wales. 15 minutes to Clwydian range, some of which are surprisingly steep and wonderful views. Some lovely villages near Mold. Chester close by for eating out and theatre. Good schools. Snowdonia, which has rugged, pointy mountains and good climbing is just over an hour away. Beaches half hour away.

We are moving to Mold and was going to recommend North Wales too.

[Juancornetto]

Are your children likely to want to go to university? You'll pay a lot more if you're living in England