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Original poster

Moving to North Wales

57 replies

eggofmantumbi · 27/08/2018 17:58

We're relocating to North Wales somewhere....

I'm a teacher and don't speak Welsh so need to be commutable to address further East/ England where there are more English medium schools. Also need to be English medium schools where we live.

Husband is going to be working at Bangor university. Needs to be a 30 minute or less train journey.

Budget is about 230k and we'd like 3-4 bedrooms.

Where should we be looking? Is Colwyn Bay nice? Conwy? Llandudno?

OP posts:
Troels · 27/08/2018 19:29

Thats the area we are in Colwyn Bay, Llandudno are all 1/2 hour ish drive to Bangor in good traffic.
Apply to the schools in Conwy county for work, but from what I gather they all want teachers to have some Welsh. The kids school in Conwy county have lots of kids who have little or no Welsh, but it's a subject taught in all the schools.
You can buy very nice houses all around here for £230k. I like Penrhyn Bay mostly, we are up the Conwy valley and plan to eventually sell and move there or Rhos on Sea.

Original poster
eggofmantumbi · 27/08/2018 19:52

Thank you. Little one is only 18 months but we need to think about the future. She is already being brought up bilingually!

How is the commute East? Would it be feasible to get to England in 30 minutes? .

OP posts:
Pippylou · 27/08/2018 19:58

Stick to the coast & trainline. The A55 can be very interesting.

You really need to visit & understand the geography. Need to be further east to get to England in half an hour.

Good budget, in everywhere but the really posh bits, you'll get a nice house. Love the people round here & loads to do.

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Original poster
eggofmantumbi · 27/08/2018 20:00

Yes we'll definitely be visiting soon. We're in Wirral so not too far anyway. I'm just worried about finding work!

OP posts:
AdaColeman · 27/08/2018 20:00

No, it's more like an hour from Conwy to Chester.

Can you do a crash course course in Welsh?

Original poster
eggofmantumbi · 27/08/2018 20:07

Going to learn as much as I can, but working full time with a toddler so it's going to be difficult. And no family around AND husband is going to be working away 4 days a week!!

OP posts:
stillnotTheDoctor · 27/08/2018 20:07

There's plenty of English medium schools in Wales. The welsh schools tend to be oversubscribed because there's much more English than welsh schools.

Conwy, Caernarfon etc are VERY welsh. North coast less so.

Moogdroog · 27/08/2018 20:10

Chipping in to say avoid Rhyl like the plague. Roughest place I've ever been in my life.

stillnotTheDoctor · 27/08/2018 20:13

Moog Grin

AdaColeman · 27/08/2018 20:16

Perhaps keep your job in Wirral, and move to around Holywell or Mostyn, you could commute by car along the coast and over the (newish) bridge and DH could go by train from Holywell Junction or Mostyn to Bangor.

stillnotTheDoctor · 27/08/2018 20:19

Mostyn is a very dangerous place to live if you like crafts/animals.

hidinginthenightgarden · 27/08/2018 20:23

Chester is only half an hour away from Bangor. Gorgeous city, great schools.

stillnotTheDoctor · 27/08/2018 20:24

Hiding not from bangor it's not. Bangor on Dee, yes. Bangor, no.

Pippylou · 27/08/2018 20:25

People are spot on with comments. Rhyl really is the roughest place.

Went to Mostyn for the first time last week, nearly converted DH to craft stuff!

Original poster
eggofmantumbi · 27/08/2018 20:26

My current job is actually in Cheshire. About 20 minutes from Chester. Will look at the places you all suggested though too.

OP posts:
retainertrainer · 27/08/2018 20:26

Bangor to Chester is an hour at the very least.

dottycat123 · 27/08/2018 20:26

There are a few private schools within about 30 minutes drive, not sure if they require welsh speaking?

chasingsushi · 27/08/2018 20:33

I think you're going to struggle to get somewhere that's a 30 min commute to Bangor and also commutable to England for you.

stillnotTheDoctor · 27/08/2018 20:35

There's plenty of English medium schools tho. Shouldn't be an issue.

Original poster
eggofmantumbi · 27/08/2018 20:44

Yes the stats seem to suggest there are plenty of English speaking schools but I keep hearing horror stories. I think Colwyn bay will be our first place to visit.

OP posts:
Grave · 27/08/2018 20:47

I have absolutely no knowledge of living in the area but holidayed in penmaenmawr near colwyn bay for decades. Beautiful amazing places!
I envy you

bigbluebus · 27/08/2018 20:55

I would say that Llandudno or Colwyn Bay area would be your best bet. Any further East than that would be more than 30 mins by train. Avoid Anglesey or up the Conwy valley as they are very Welsh speaking areas. There are also 2 independent schools in this area.

Fatted · 27/08/2018 21:01

I'm just over the border from Chester. I'd say you're probably going to struggle to get somewhere 30 mins from Chester AND Bangor. I'm only about 5-6 miles from the city and it takes me 15 minutes to get into the city. The A55 by our house in rush hour is a nightmare.

afreshnewname · 27/08/2018 21:25

Colony bay is one of the cheaper areas locally to live but it's not the nicest, Llandudno junction & Deganwy are much nicer

Original poster
eggofmantumbi · 27/08/2018 21:29

Eeee thanks again everyone! That's interesting about CB not being the nicest as it looks nice on paper. Really need to get a weekend visit happening soon.

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