AIBU to consider moving to Wales for family and lower costs

I think you should bite the bullet and move to Wales. It's friendly, community minded and although there are pockets of poverty and deprivation, there are all over the UK. For me, the scenery, the beaches, the mountains and the people all make it worth living in Wales.

And as for education, it depends what you are measuring. We measure what is easy, and which provides means to compare, not what matters. The Welsh approach to education is far more holistic and skills based than other UK counterparts and our early years have mirrored Scandinavian approaches for a long time now.

Firstly, there are only 2 NHS trusts in wales, the rest are health boards. Secondly, only 1 or 2 have ever been in special measures to my knowledge. (Ex NHS Wales staff)

Pretty sure it is the poorest - was certainly one of the poorest areas in the EU when we were members and that EU money was never replaced post-Brexit.

Id look into the likely weather given that you work outdoors. I know everyone says if always rains in Wales, but there is some truth in this. My parents’ area of Wales experiences far, far higher rainfall even than when I was growing up. Trades are very frequently rained off and the conditions make it hard to work even when not rained offs

The reason education and health are below par in Wales is down to the unfairness of the way Wales is funded. It’s to be hoped the Plaid government can change this. Also Westminster has refused to devolve control of crown estates in wales to the Welsh government unlike in Scotland. This means Wales is missing out on £200-300 million of funding a year.

@Squirrelintree why would you avoid Caerphilly out of interest?

I would move OP, it makes a lot of sense. Good luck with it.

Labour are not in power in Wales anymore.

As has been said, levels of deprivation are high, education and the NHS are dire.

The Valleys especially get a LOT of rain and it's bleak and cold being as high up as Brynmawr in the winter.

There are wealthier areas in Monmouthshire, Abergavenny and parts of Newport - if you're prepared to travel for work there'd be potential to pick up gardening clients.

I'd spend a bit more time there before you decide, especially in the winter. It's easy to romanticise Wales, the reality of some areas might not be the best thing if you're used to SE England. People are friendly, but there are also still some very traditional attitudes.

Labour (devolution) has ruined schools and the nhs in Wales. So if your daughter is intelligent it would be worth keeping a close eye on this- that she is reaching her full potential.

Another vote for Wales.

Any change is scary but it sounds like your family are keen and to be honest, it just sounds like a nicer prospect than your current situation. I do love Wales though.

We moved to Wales from the South East 25 years ago. I've never regretted it. Wales is beautiful and the people are warm and friendly - we've never encountered any anti-english sentiments.

I love living in Wales, but I don’t have children. A note of caution from me: Welsh education falls short of the world average, and is the lowest standard in the UK. Someone else has mentioned the NHS, last time I looked every NHS trust in Wales was in Special Measures. It really shows too.
Aside from that, you may find yourself paying much more to travel as public transport is terrible.

But if the above aren’t dealbreakers, it’s a lovely place.

I’m further down south in Wales than you would be but agree what generally people here are friendly and mine and my older kids English accents haven’t been an issue with anyone.

If you had no connections there I’d advise caution but with your circumstances I’d go, especially as the children are keen. You can build up your gardening business when you get there.

Something about your posts - not sure exactly what - gives me the impression that you want to do it but are hesitant by nature.

What about your parents? If alive, I guess they’re elderly. Will you be expected to be back and forth to Englsnd to visit and help?

There is a lot of deprivation in Blaenau Gwent, it is one of the poorest areas in Wales. If you don't mind the problems that come with that and already have contacts locally through your DH, it could work. That said, Id try to live in Monmouthshire if possible, especially with DC. Avoid Caerphilly and Caldicot. Also, do any of you have any health issues? The NHS is devolved in Wales and really not great in that area as the staff can't cope with the demand. Not the staff's fault, but poor political decisions and there is sadly a huge link between deprivation and poor health. In terms of gardening clients, target Crickhowell, Abergavenny, Chepstow, Monmouthshire generally and the naicer bits of Newport.

I’m in Newport (the nice bit!) I’m looking for a gardener to regularly maintain hedges and can’t find anyone, so I’d be interested in your services if you’d cover my area if/when you come and could recommend you to others

If you were both English and knew nobody there, then I’d advise a bit of caution. But knowing that your DH is from there, and that you have family there, I’d jump.

My family are from Brynmawr, I will agree that Abergavenny/Hereford are indeed more affluent but Brynmawr itself isn’t.

Abergavenny/Monmouth/Hereford ate the more affluent areas around there of you can travel for gardening work.
A friend lives that way and couldn’t find a gardener so sounds like there is demand. Still think she looking for a regular one tha isnt a garden clearing type service but a more trim the flowers and lawn type

Personally I’d move

I’m currently making a similar decision with my DH for us and our 2 children.

what really helped us was, asking ourselves that in 10 years time when we look back will we be glad if we did go, or if we stayed.

for us going makes sense….