Swindon vs Newport to live.

[Monkeybusiness2]

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!

Swindon here!!

Very multicultural now, my DD’s school is a two form intake and has many different cultures, as does the secondary my DS has just moved into.

Lots of housing development taking place on all sides. Tadpole & Blunsdon to the north, Badbury Park near the general hospital to the East, West Wichel not too far away as well with a new secondary opening in September. West Swindon also has new developments.

Schools are a mixed bag, a few outstanding, most middling and a couple struggling. This applies to both Primary & Secondary.

Work opportunities are here, two main special needs schools both have primary & secondary on the same site, one has 19-25 provision as well. Not sure on the TEFL to be completely honest.

Lots of activities for the kids, swimming in abundance, dance schools, gymnastics schools, MMA academies, ice skating, bowling etc. 3 cinemas. Supermarkets a plenty for varying budgets.

Transport links to both Wales and the south west but also London very easy.

The beauty of Swindon is that whilst you are in a town and have easy access to all that comes with that services wise, you also have the countryside on your doorstep when you want it. Avebury is no more than 30 mins away from the otherside of the town, Barbury Hill has some lovely walks, also lovely walks in the town parks too, Coate Water and Lydiard Park being the main two.

If you wanted to make local friends most areas have local fb pages to connect with others. Outside the usual school gate friends that is!

Swindon or Gloucester for me. Welsh health care not good with very long waiting lists, education not great (moved here 3 years ago and feels like going back 15 years in time). Swindon is much closer to London.

robro, are you in Newport? Do you feel unhappy having moved there now?

Thank you Mum - Such a mixed response from everyone which is interesting.

It depends on your budget, but there are stilll some cheaper areas in Oxford - Botley, Kidlington, Barton, parts of Cowley and there are lots of TEFL jobs. It’s also pretty racially diverse, but it is further away from Somerset - Swindon is about 45 minutes away - but closer to London than Swindon.

Another vote for Swindon here....

From what you have described you will be able to find your place here, plus easy access to wider areas due to the good transport networks.

Churchillian I'd be renting for the time being and my budget would be up to about £900 max

Thanks for the vote alwayslearning. :)

£900 a month you’d get a good three bed in Swindon easily Hun. In a good location with everything you’d need x

Swindon for sure. Closer to everywhere than Newport and nicer too IMO.

I'm getting all excited now Mum!
Guess I'll probably wait until the end of the school year though. Do you think that's best?
I've been putting a move off for the past year but really as dd1 nears year 5, I just don't want to hang around for much longer especially with the secondary here being so crap.
They are good kids really and can make friends fairly easily.
I guess a trip to Swindon is on the cards!

PM me if you like. Happy to meet for coffee if you come this way to check things out.

As for waiting until end of school year, when I moved my DS I did it at May half term as I felt that way he’d have a bit of time to make friends during the summer term so he’d be able to have play dates through the holidays, that way he’d be ready to rock and roll for the new school year. There’s no right or wrong, just how I did it x

Thanks Mum, That sounds great!

I actually rather love Swindon - people shout it down but theres alot to be said for comfortably having a roof over your head!

And we're getting a snowdome

Swindon... Has good transport links and that's it. I grew up near there and we all got out. Everyone I know from school got good exam results, left to go to uni and nobody has returned.

jocasta agree that surrounding areas cater far better for 20-30 year olds, there isnt a university here, and not the same cultural scene as you'd see in Bath/Bristol/Cardiff/Cheltenham/Oxford - but then you arent paying those prices either!

That's all I need though really Jocasta! :) Perfect!

Those places have all become very expensive and are currently out of my reach. Hence my fewer options. I rarely go out tbh. I just work, get the children from school, go to bed about 9PM and that's my boring life really. . If the children can do well at a decent school and be happier than here. I'll be happy too.

And the fact everyone got good exam results speaks for itself with the schools

I should add that I don't know Swindon, but do know Newport which is changing but has it's own issues. House prices in the nicer parts are not cheap either

Good luck with the move. University education is not free for Welsh students but fees were subsidised and vapped at 6k I think. It is always under review so best to check and it's all likely to change by the time your kids get to uni.
We did a May half term house move which worked teally well for DC. It's a nice time of year to jpin a school and it meant they didn't spend the summer holidays fretting about new school and neither did I.

Thanks Peggy and Cottonsock. I'm going to have a long hard think over the next few days and aim of April/May time as I'd have to give notice in and guess I'd need to find a job before.

I've just had a little discussion with the kids. They are all raring to get out of here! I'm glad 9 year old is also happy about a move and they seem to be quite excited so far!