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

Swindon vs Newport to live.

45 replies

Monkeybusiness2 · 05/01/2019 00:00

My situation:

I am separated from children's father who is in London and have 3 children 9,7,5.
Moved to a fairly rural area (Somerset) to be near my mum 3 years ago and i just want to go now.
I can't afford to live nearer to London but would like to be in reach of my mum and the children ideally would like a shorter journey to London though it's not happening very often atm.
Swindon seems to be the only bigger town that seems affordable. Bristol is too expensive and I do not not it or anyone there.
I don't know Swindon at all but have a nice aunt and uncle there at least!
I kind of know Newport as I spent some years living in Cardiff but years ago plus my mum is often up in Cardiff at weekends. However it doesn't really cut the journey down to London.
I am looking into a large town/city where my children can be happy and have more opportunities school wise. (they are mixed race and have had quite a lot of racial stuff here where they literally are the only ones who are not white and they have become very aware of it).
I am ready to make a big step and it will be hard on my own but tbh I don't really have any close friends here either which makes it easier.

I really don't want to stay here now, nor do the children but I also don't really know where to go! Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
Monkeybusiness2 · 05/01/2019 00:02

Sorry, i forgot to mention about work!
I do work. I am a TEFL teacher but have been working as a TA in a special school for the last couple of years as there has not been that sort of work around here. I'd be happy to carry on with that if need be but would also like more opportunity.

OP posts:
MrsMoastyToasty · 05/01/2019 00:06

Whereabouts in Somerset does your DM live?

Original poster
Monkeybusiness2 · 05/01/2019 00:08

Sedgmoor Mrs :)

OP posts:
Alm1986 · 05/01/2019 00:15

I live in Newport. It's residents are very multicultural.

Primary schools are good. High school provision is mixed. There are currently 8 English medium schools of which 2 are in special measures. An additional 1 is in need of significant improvement. There are only 2 I believe which are "outstanding". They have a reputation for only entering "able" students into exams.

House prices are rising rapidly due to the abolishment of the tolls. House prices are also driven by the catchment of the "good" high schools.

There are a few special schools locally for job opportunities. I'm not so sure on TEFL demand.

If you have any questions, please ask. I've lived here all my life Wink

NotDavidTennant · 05/01/2019 00:17

Swindon would be a lot better for TEFL work as you could commute to Oxford.

MrsMoastyToasty · 05/01/2019 00:24

How about one of the town's surrounding Bath? I'm thinking about Chippenham, Westbury, Keynsham, Trowbridge, Devizes or Malmesbury.

Original poster
Monkeybusiness2 · 05/01/2019 00:32

Thanks Alm, Newport was my first thought some months ago and I have been looking closely at house prices (we'd be renting for now though). I'm not too bothered about town centres as I rarely go into them to shop. My mum is from the valleys originally which is why she regularly goes back to Cardiff.
I'm aware it is also in reach of Bristol and Cardiff which would expand work opps I guess.
Thank you for your help and I'll PM you if I get stuck. Flowers

NotDavid, that's an interesting thought. I'd not considered that.Thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
Monkeybusiness2 · 05/01/2019 00:35

Mrs, I have looked around Chippenham also. That could be an option.

OP posts:
gizmosslave · 05/01/2019 00:37

I live in Swindon. There are a few different special schools,and loads of new estates being built. Tadpole being just opposite one. Swindon is nice and easy to commute from as close to m4,m5 and good train links.

Original poster
Monkeybusiness2 · 05/01/2019 20:08

Thanks gizmosslave, the easy commuting is attractive.

Alm 1986 I have messaged you. :) already!

OP posts:
CottonSock · 05/01/2019 20:10

Swindon is so much closer to London

Spero · 05/01/2019 20:14

If part of the reason for a move is to have an easier journey to London then Swindon is a much better bet than Newport! as I see others have commented.

greendale17 · 05/01/2019 20:15

I would say Swindon by far- it’s transport links are excellent.

Original poster
Monkeybusiness2 · 05/01/2019 20:16

Thanks Cotton and Spero, you are right. Newport really doesn't take anything off the journey I have now.

OP posts:
Riversguidebook · 05/01/2019 20:23

Love Swindon. Lived there throughout my young adulthood.
Some people hate it.

It has brand new soul-less estates and pretty older Edwardian brickbuilt areas.

Tons of amenities and parklands and employment and nightlife and good travel links and schools.

So it’s a town like any other really, but if you’re in the Westcountry already, it won’t seem like a culture shock at all if you moved there.

It’s inclusive which will be good for mixed race kids.

Drop in via Google Earth and ‘walk around’ Old Town, the town centre, the older parts, the new estates, the parks and employment areas.

Churchillian · 05/01/2019 20:26

Loads of TEFL jobs in Oxford. Have you considered Oxford? There are some cheaper areas and it’s pretty multicultural with lots going on.

Spero · 05/01/2019 20:41

I would check out Swindon before moving. No disrespect to Swindonians, I know it only from passing through to walk from railway station to court but it isn't my favourite place. A local told me that Old Town was like Barcelona, so I tried to find it and ended up walking round some vast derelict Victorian building. But I assume as with all large towns/small cities it has some good bits and some bad bits. If you have relatives there, go and stay for a week and mooch around?
I thought Chippenham for e.g. sounded nice but I wasn't keen when I actually went. But then my criterion is to be within walking distance of a station which often puts you in some less nice areas.

gizmosslave · 05/01/2019 20:46

If you have any questions about Swindon then feel free to pm me :) or ask here.

Original poster
Monkeybusiness2 · 05/01/2019 20:46

Thanks River - This is swaying towards Swindon now!!
Are people fairly friendly/down to earth? I don't go out much at all with the children and working but it would be nice to be in a friendlier area where people are not scared of you if you come from the next village. Grin
I dismissed Oxford without even looking tbh because I thought it would be very expensive. Also I think it would mean a further journey from my mum in Somerset?
I don't know anyone in Oxford either. At least I have an auntie in Swindon who would probably be happy to help me look around etc.

OP posts:
Original poster
Monkeybusiness2 · 05/01/2019 20:50

That's a good idea Spero. We lived near Lewisham (SE LOndon) before coming here (h still lives there in the house), so if it's a bit nicer than there that would be a plus. Grin But some people love it there. I just don't like going back to London now.

OP posts:
Original poster
Monkeybusiness2 · 05/01/2019 20:52

Also i tend to drive everywhere with children still being fairly young so transport links are too much of an issue.

OP posts:
Grannyannex · 05/01/2019 20:53

Swindon’s so depresssing to me.

Newport has great cities in reach, amazing mountains close by, seaside a drive away, free university level education, great interest links up and across the country,

Original poster
Monkeybusiness2 · 05/01/2019 20:56

'free university level education' Really Granny? That's food for thought.

OP posts:
Grannyannex · 05/01/2019 20:56

Exeter? Further away but nice area

Original poster
Monkeybusiness2 · 05/01/2019 21:00

Granny, not a huge fan. It seems so far from everywhere. I'd prefer to be more central.

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread