Is Caldicot a nice place to live ?

[Relocation4us]

We are thinking of relocating and interested in views from residents in or near to Caerwent, Caldicot. I have a 10 year old and 12 year old so good schools are important.

All views would be appreciated.

Not sure about schools but area is great for access to motorways etc. Not much there though. You would be shopping in Caldicot a very small village or Chepstow which is a bit larger. Can I ask why Caerwent? There are so many other places with great schools you could consider.

It is quite a small place, where do you currently live? its got a nice Waitrose.

Thank you to Shwmae and Ragwort for your replies. My other half has the opportunity to work in Gloucestershire and therefore looking for somewhere that is a reasonable commutable distance.
Having looked on the web I came across many new properties in Caldicot that looked nice but obviously need to visit the area but in the meantime thought I would try and get some further information and recommendations.
Shwmae, what other areas would you recommend please ? Monmouth was another place we had considered and understand schooling is good there?

Monmouth is very nice (in my opinion more so than Caldicot); there are very nice areas nearer to Gloucestershire as well. Can you a be a bit more specific about where he will work as it could be quite a distance from Monmouth.

He would be working in Gloucester.

My children are both quite sporty - my son in particular a keen football player so it would be good if there were local clubs they could join too.
Thanks for your help.

Both my children are in monmouth comprehensive and it has an excellent reputation. Monmouth is a thriving small town and has a mix of independent stores and wait rose etc. Beautiful countryside and within a 20 minute drive of m4. many small villages within easy reach too.

Monmouth to Gloucester would be quite a long commute - any particular reason you don't want to be nearer to Gloucester?

Shwmae we must be near neighbours .

We thought probably 45-50 mins and had heard Monmouth / nearby was a good area and the thought of being not too far from the Brecons ?

Also I would need to try and find an office job fairly nearby as with the children I do not want to have to drive too far to work.

Gloucester about 1hr commute.....Brecon 1 hr but who needs Brecon when you have got the Wye valley ;) Monmouth town football club has a very active junior section. Ragwort; howdy neighbour ...it's a small world!

What about Cheltenham? Near to Gloucester and more job opportunities for you I would think.

shwmae - yes, we are quite new here, the Wye Valley is beautiful isn't it?

Oops sorry, yes the Wye Valley looks lovely too :-)
Thanks Ragwort, yes I will have a look at Cheltenham too....a big decision when relocating and lots to consider, with priority on schools, job for me and a property in the right place of course. Would be nice to find somewhere where the children aren't reliant on me driving them or having to get coaches so if we find somewhere that allows them to walk to school even better :-)
As you are both in Monmouth, Im guessing, would you recommend particular areas to look at please - we heard it was a thriving town, so it was a location we did first look at :-)
Many thanks

Thanks Shwmae too :-)

Monmouth isn't very big, not aware if it has many particular 'areas' - I am not actually in Monmouth so perhaps Shwmae can answer that.

I still think it is quite a long commute to Gloucester - I would say at least an hour and a quarter.

Whereabouts do you live now?

We relocated recently and rented for a while first, it was a good decision as we didn't really like the first choice of area, however it did mean changing schools twice which is obviously not ideal for children.

Thanks, which area are you Ragwort ? You obviously like it there ?

We are currently in Northants. We have considered renting first too, but like you have said there is the schools to consider and if our first choice of area and school does not prove to be suitable its more upheaval for the children in moving schools again, like you have experienced and finding another area.

Unless you live in town you will be driving the kids to school and clubs. Public transport is poor . However I live outside of Monmouth and the kids catch a school bus. Gloucester is a big commute, from what I gather it's not the distance it just gets very congested. Cheltenham is beautiful but I don know what it's like living there.

A lovely part of Monmouth IMHO is osbaston or perhaps a modern housing estate like rock field. In the centre of town are more period properties. All depends on what you are looking for. Rock field is within walking distance of everything so is osbaston.

Thank shwmae ... I did see a few properties listed in Osbaston and thought they looked nice. There were also some other possibly newer properties that an agent told me would be walking distance of one of the local schools, maybe this is Rockfield ?

I think we have to have a good think and.... of course a visit.
Many thanks for your information, its really appreciated :)

I am sending you a private message Relocation - feel free to get in touch.