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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to move to a cheaper less “naice” area

69 replies

HooMoo · 02/12/2024 12:41

We currently live in a 3 bed terrace, one baby, two dogs, myself and husband. We need to move to a semi or ideally detached property.

This will probably be majorly outing but I think it gives more context. We are currently in Bradford on Avon - lovely but expensive!

Originally we were thinking max budget £600k but our mortgage would be £2k-£2.2k a month and it just feels too much.

We are now seriously considering Trowbridge - the next town along. We are viewing a house this Thursday there, on the BOA side of Trowbridge literally 5 minutes drive to our old house. We’d release equity around £70-£80k from the sale. It feels mad because a year or two ago I’d never consider this.

But now with a baby, nursery fees and I really want another baby soonish and we’ll need a bigger car it suddenly just makes sense. I’d also be able to go 3 days a week work and it just feels so relaxed financially.

So aibu to even consider this move? Interested as well to hear of people who are local to the area as well.

OP posts:
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Whammyammy · 04/12/2024 14:35

Corsham or Box are close to BoA and have a nice vibe and in the main bus routes

TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 04/12/2024 06:48

HooMoo · 03/12/2024 09:11

I think the estate you live on is the estate we are interested in!

Show quote history

Begins with B?

Yeah, it’s really nice here. Very chill. Good schools really close, too.

We have lots of volunteer groups and such helping people out.

StoneFoxMama · 03/12/2024 12:50

I'm from London but moved to Bath, then Frome then Trowbridge, but each time upgrading from flat to cottage to 5 bed edwardian house. I'm so glad we did, we'd never have a house like this in Bath and Trowbridge isn't bad at all. I'm holding out hope of some minor gentrification. But we're so well located and our quality of life is great, costs are low, so always able to spend time in London whenever we want, or on holiday to remind us there's a big wide world outside of town living. Trowbridge is only seen as bit rough by Bath/Boa and naice village people, anyone who's lived outside of these would see it as a totally normal town with great links and plenty of facilities, we've never looked back!

Crikeyalmighty · 03/12/2024 11:28

@HooMoo is this on your list? Looks good for the money!! BOA side of Trowbridge

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/155602256#/?channel=RES_BUY

Original poster
HooMoo · 03/12/2024 09:12

Abracadabra12345 · 02/12/2024 21:50

That’s one you’ve shared is in my saved properties on Rightmove :) my parents live in bath so open to the idea of Bath too. I think our search area probably stretches from Trowbridge, boa, Winsley to Bath.

It seems strange to see my childhood / teen home described here! I lived in Winsley and went to school in BoA, I visited recently and its narrow streets and heavy traffic are a real problem. I remember boats being used when the river burst, and that was years ago, let alone now. Beautiful walks towards Avoncliff though

My parents moved from Winsley to Trowbridge and they much preferred it - it's a far more practical place to live. Lots to do on the doorstep. There's a busy bypass on the edges of Winsley which came as a shock when I revisited.

There's easy access to lots of great places from Trowbridge with good transport links. Including to beautiful Bath!

Think we went to the same school! 😆

OP posts:
Original poster
HooMoo · 03/12/2024 09:11

TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 02/12/2024 23:44

I’m in Trowbridge. On the BOA side of town on a 70s estate covered in pampas grass.

I’m originally from Bath but left for a job and ended up staying here.

It’s chill. Mostly all I hear are cows mooing.

The town centre is pretty dire, but there’s lovely shops a short drive away. But we all buy too much crap, so who cares? Lots of farm shops and garden centres with cafes.

Winsley is where I saw my first ever UFO.

I think the estate you live on is the estate we are interested in!

OP posts:
TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 02/12/2024 23:44

I’m in Trowbridge. On the BOA side of town on a 70s estate covered in pampas grass.

I’m originally from Bath but left for a job and ended up staying here.

It’s chill. Mostly all I hear are cows mooing.

The town centre is pretty dire, but there’s lovely shops a short drive away. But we all buy too much crap, so who cares? Lots of farm shops and garden centres with cafes.

Winsley is where I saw my first ever UFO.

JasmineIndigo · 02/12/2024 23:28

I don’t know either of those areas, but we moved into a not very fashionable but nice enough town about 15 years ago, as we were priced out of the lovely town we lived in. Well fast forward to now and our then not so fashionable town is now often cited as one of the best places to live in the SE and there are loads of people like us who moved here as were were priced out of other areas, so I suppose we all kind of gentrified it in a way. My point is, the people are what makes the location special and I’m sure there will be lots of families in your position who will have had to move to get more space etc.

TrishM80 · 02/12/2024 23:20

Voted "yabu" for still using the word "naice"

Crikeyalmighty · 02/12/2024 23:17

@HooMoo I love that farm shop!! I'm often in on a Saturday

Original poster
HooMoo · 02/12/2024 23:02

Crikeyalmighty · 02/12/2024 21:56

@HooMoo it's not huge , but looks well laid out and very cared for and you've got that great farm shop on your doorstep !! I don't think streets like this are mega pretty but I bet it's very liveable and decent value too - my only concern as the previous lady mentioned is maybe not that practical in terms of activities for kids etc although it is close into BOA if that has them?

I think we’ll probably view it as its good value. I’m not too fussed by Winsley I’d probably just have to drive to more kids stuff but then I do that a bit now anyway. Plus Hartley farm do amazing kids activities in the school holidays.

OP posts:
Thegoatliesdownonbroadway · 02/12/2024 22:05

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Crikeyalmighty · 02/12/2024 21:56

@HooMoo it's not huge , but looks well laid out and very cared for and you've got that great farm shop on your doorstep !! I don't think streets like this are mega pretty but I bet it's very liveable and decent value too - my only concern as the previous lady mentioned is maybe not that practical in terms of activities for kids etc although it is close into BOA if that has them?

Abracadabra12345 · 02/12/2024 21:51

Sorry the first paragraph of my post was supposed to be a quote!

Abracadabra12345 · 02/12/2024 21:50

That’s one you’ve shared is in my saved properties on Rightmove :) my parents live in bath so open to the idea of Bath too. I think our search area probably stretches from Trowbridge, boa, Winsley to Bath.

It seems strange to see my childhood / teen home described here! I lived in Winsley and went to school in BoA, I visited recently and its narrow streets and heavy traffic are a real problem. I remember boats being used when the river burst, and that was years ago, let alone now. Beautiful walks towards Avoncliff though

My parents moved from Winsley to Trowbridge and they much preferred it - it's a far more practical place to live. Lots to do on the doorstep. There's a busy bypass on the edges of Winsley which came as a shock when I revisited.

There's easy access to lots of great places from Trowbridge with good transport links. Including to beautiful Bath!

Original poster
HooMoo · 02/12/2024 21:22

Crikeyalmighty · 02/12/2024 21:08

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/155379236#/?channel=RES_BUY

My husband really likes that one, I’m less keen only because I didn’t like the look of it on street view but I’m not that narrow minded I wouldn’t view it. Trying to hold off viewing until we have an offer so not to get our hopes up! We have a viewing tomorrow on ours from a lady who is proceedable which is why I’ve been getting excited looking at Rightmove a lot recently!

OP posts:
Crikeyalmighty · 02/12/2024 21:08

This is quite nice in winsley but don't know if it's any bigger than what you have - nice big utility though !!

Crikeyalmighty · 02/12/2024 20:50

I get you - I think my friend is going to sell - will find out - could suit you - all new windows etc and quite big

Original poster
HooMoo · 02/12/2024 20:20

stickybear · 02/12/2024 20:10

Would Corsham or Chippenham be too far? Corsham might have more of the vibe that you're looking for. Chipp isn't very exciting but there's lots of new housing going up, great schools and lots for young families.

We’ve had a walk round corsham it’s okay we did like the centre. A lot of the houses are in these over built new built estates that just feel quite meh. Although there were a couple of roads we did like. I think I just don’t know it so well but I know Trowbridge pretty well. I wouldn’t consider Chippenham simply cuz it’s similar to Trowbridge so I feel like we may as well be in Trowbridge which is a better location for us.

OP posts:
stickybear · 02/12/2024 20:10

Would Corsham or Chippenham be too far? Corsham might have more of the vibe that you're looking for. Chipp isn't very exciting but there's lots of new housing going up, great schools and lots for young families.

Original poster
HooMoo · 02/12/2024 20:05

Crikeyalmighty · 02/12/2024 19:36

This is also worth a look in Weston - great layout and nice interior ( I think) plus big garden and very in budget- - yep I think Oldfield p would be a great choice - if I was being honest I think Bath will hold its money more if you can run to it and you will be able to get a decent place -

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/155552642#/?channel=RES_BUY

It’s nice but probably wrong side of bath for us. We’d consider bath if we could walk or be near enough to my parents. I’d like oldfield park, Bloomfield, Combe down. My parents are bear flat but no way we can afford that!

OP posts:
Crikeyalmighty · 02/12/2024 19:44

In fact the utility is better than my kitchen!

Crikeyalmighty · 02/12/2024 19:37

Oh and it's got a huge utility !!