Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Where is nice to live in North Wales?

45 replies

Largepiecesofcrookedwood · 03/10/2018 00:23

I've been idly musing about a move to Wales, and this evening spent a pleasant couple of hours mooching the Internet.

I was amazed firstly by how cheap houses are, secondly how surprisingly little I actually know about Wales and thirdly that I would have to learn to speak Welsh (its been quite the night of discoveries!)
DS is just starting yr10 so our theoretical move wouldn't be for four years, but I wouldn't mind suggestions for nice rural areas within no more than 30-40 minutes drive of St Asaph to keep me going for now Smile

OP posts:
TheSageofOnions · 03/10/2018 00:35

St Asaph is nice, so are Conwy and Rhos on Sea. I like Llangollen (DW doesn't - too much A5 traffic), but avoid Rhyl at all costs.

TheSageofOnions · 03/10/2018 00:37

Sorry, just seen the word "rural" in your post. Blush

Original poster
Largepiecesofcrookedwood · 03/10/2018 00:38

Thanks sage, I'd already been prewarned about Rhyl Grin

OP posts:
TryItAndDieFatLass · 03/10/2018 00:51

Avoid South Gwynedd like the plague. Beautiful area but stuck in the 1960s, unless you were born and went to school there, don't expect to ever be accepted.

Nononononono33 · 03/10/2018 00:53

The far side (from the border) of Mold is nice - thinking Cilcain, Nannerch, Lixwm, Ysceifiog, Afonwen, Rhes Y Cae. Easy to get to St Asaph from there via the A541. Be warned that some of those villages are properly rural though, with limited facilities (shops, schools, pubs etc). Towns like Mold and SA are better.

Also apologies for any typos, phone wants to autochange Lixwm to Luxembourg!

Nononononono33 · 03/10/2018 00:57

Perhaps even look as far over as Pantymwyn, Gwernaffield, Gwernymynydd. You’re definitely looking at at least 40 mins to St Asaph though from here. But, beautiful scenery...

Original poster
Largepiecesofcrookedwood · 03/10/2018 01:09

We have only a pub, shop and church in our current village so used to limited amenities.
My (theoretical!) commute would ideally not be more than 40 minutes and I would need to consider whether bad weather could be an issue.
And as far as typos, with names like that I'm not sure I'd even notice Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
Largepiecesofcrookedwood · 03/10/2018 07:30

Quick bump for the morning crowd Smile

OP posts:
BookWitch · 03/10/2018 08:18

I have just moved back to Anglesey, I grew up here but have been away 30 years.

South Anglesey is nice - Menai bridge, Beaumaris, llandegan, Llanfairpwll, has a rural feel but not really that rural and fairly anglicised compared to areas around Caernarfon and the Lleyn.
You won't find any problems being accepted if you learn some welsh and make an effort.

It is a fantastic place to live, I have moved a lot and lived overseas for 14 years, but will never move again.

SpiritLeveller · 03/10/2018 08:22

Beaumaris is gorgeous. Rhos on Sea is lovely as is Llandudno. I like Denbigh and the bits around it too. My family have lived in Wales for 40 years and none of us speak Welsh Blush

AamdC · 03/10/2018 08:24

We had a few days at Treurdurr Bay on Anglesay last year it was beautiful its in Holyhead so not far from supermarkets etc

Original poster
Largepiecesofcrookedwood · 03/10/2018 08:31

Another moment of shock for me spirit to realise that so many people speak Welsh Confused
It would be a requirement of my (theoretical) job that I speak Welsh, which is slightly daunting!

OP posts:
BookWitch · 03/10/2018 08:42

Welsh is only really necessary for some jobs in Anglesey (Ynys Mon) and Gwynedd. Teaching, public service jobs etc. But even being a Welsh learner is fine. I just registered as a Supply teacher, for Gwynedd County Council, I speak some Welsh, have a good understanding and am currently enrolled on a language course.
On the Supply reg form, they do ask for your Welsh proficiency - can you a) Speak Welsh b) Teach through the medium of Welsh c) teach Welsh.

Once you move as far east as Conwy, the Welsh requirement drops considerably, areas such as Wrexham, St Asaph etc do not require Welsh.

ManicUnicorn · 03/10/2018 08:58

You don't need to speak Welsh. I live in North Wales and your far more likely to hear Polish spoken around here than Welsh! Everything is billingual, like road signs and things like that but that she about it.

ManicUnicorn · 03/10/2018 08:59

Oh, and Llangollen has a very seedy underbelly. It's not as nice as it initially appears.

Original poster
Largepiecesofcrookedwood · 03/10/2018 09:14

I think I will check exactly what level of competency I would need, but I know I would definitely need to have some Welsh, and to be happy to commit to learning more if mine is not deemed up to scratch.
DH always speaks of Llangollen with a misty look in his eye, I'm not sure how to break it to him about it's "seedy underbelly" Grin

OP posts:
ManicUnicorn · 03/10/2018 10:00

Maybe it's just me regarding Llangollen, but it can be quite menacing there at night. Especially in the pubs if your not a local, I know people who've had quite bad experiences there on a night out. Quite a heavy drug problem as well. It's outwardly lovely, and fine in the day though and your within easy distance of larger places like Chester, Wrexham, Oswestry etc for larger town and cities. There are no big supermarkets in Llan, only an Aldi. It depend what you want really, but I think people don't realise what it's actually like.

Littledidsheknow · 03/10/2018 10:31

Why North Wales, especially? Lots of nice places in the sssssssssssouth.

Littledidsheknow · 03/10/2018 10:31

The south, even!

specialsubject · 03/10/2018 11:41

not that it matters but that Aldi in Llangollen is big, how much more do you need?

County lines and cuckooing is a problem throughout the borders; all the recreational druggies on MN puffing their harmless tokes are part of the direct cause.

much further west into Wales and the welcome will never be there if you aren't Welsh. Area round Ruthin is lovely and has an excellent microclimate, although don't buy on Glasdir as it was built on a flood plain. In the whole area you need to think orientation and sun levels if you are in a valley, wind and access if you are not. It isn't the place for the urban MN type that doesn't even understand a compass.

Original poster
Largepiecesofcrookedwood · 03/10/2018 18:29

little, my (theoretical) transfer would be to St Asaph so would need to be in the North.
special that's really useful thanks, we're definitely rural types and take part in community life, but I appreciate what you say about fitting in if you're an "outsider" Confused

OP posts:
BookWitch · 03/10/2018 18:46

Aldi in Llangollen is the best one I've ever been to Grin

If you are looking at St Asaph, Welsh would be desirable but not essential

Original poster
Largepiecesofcrookedwood · 03/10/2018 18:57

I've never actually been into an Aldi BlushGrin
When I consider it, I suppose I should factor DH's complete lack of Welsh (despite actually being Welsh himself) into the equation. I'm trying to track down exactly the level I would need but things are a bit murky in that front at the moment Wink

OP posts:
Witchend · 03/10/2018 19:23

Near Penllech Beach

RomanyRoots · 03/10/2018 19:29

LLangollen LLandudno and anywhere with LLan in the title.
Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch is nice