Does anyone live in knowle or dorridge? Or should we move to Warwickshire

[xksismybestletter]

We are looking to move into the town's and I am now wondering what they are really like?

Are they over crowded? Too many rich people? What about anti social behaviour? Impossible to get space in a doctor surgery?

We currently live about half an hour away, so have visited a lot and I know the schools are supposed to be fantastic, but I am interested in the daily life aspects too

Any insight would be welcome?

I grew up in Knowle in the 90s. It was OK, nothing special, nothing unpleasant. Arden then had an outstanding reputation but I was fairly miserable at. Very much an exam factory. Didn't have a 6th form at the time and I went on to St Peter's in Solihull which was academically less successful but a far, far nicer atmosphere with much more rounded people.

It's fine. If you want somewhere pretty you would want somewhere in Warks. Knowle is a lot of 60s bland in terms of housing etc.

Eventually the two settlements will join up and be renamed Knowledge.

@Zeal

Eventually the two settlements will join up and be renamed Knowledge.

One of the signs that said Dorridge used to be permanently altered to read Porridge. Just a tiny bit of graffiti that made me laugh every time because it was just so childish.

And there used to Knowle Cricket Club, Dorridge Cricket Club and Knowle & Dorridge Cricket Club. I believe at least one of those is now sadly defunct.

Thanks for comments. In some ways it seems to be a perfect town because it has a supermarket, a station, some parks, independent shops etc etc.

I'm trying to work out if it is so

It is fine, honestly. Your house will be a good investment. A bit further away (think about it) is about to kick off over the next 20 years and the region will be an investment and growth area.

@Zeal

Eventually the two settlements will join up and be renamed Knowledge.

😂😂😂😂

@xksismybestletter

Thanks for comments. In some ways it seems to be a perfect town because it has a supermarket, a station, some parks, independent shops etc etc.

I'm trying to work out if it is so

I can give you plenty of towns in the Midlands that have all of those but are far from perfect tbh!

Do you need to travel to work? What age bracket are your kids? I don't know Knowle or Dorridge that well (other than knowing that I wouldn't be able to afford much there) but if you want some similar alternatives to look at it would be good to know where you need to be near to and what your priorities are. Assuming healthy budget as you've been looking at those places already so I don't think there's many Warwickshire towns where your money wouldn't stretch to.

we need to be somewhere between shirley, coventry and warwick for daily life, which is why we have chosen k&d as is it slap bang in the middle.
I welcome any other suggestions though as there maybe somewhere we havent considered and discarded.

kids are currently primary

Balsall common is like Knowles poorer cousin. Still a decent area though and probably better for getting to Cov by car.

Where are you now?

Arden school is OK, ofsted not been since 2008. Heart of England in BC is decent too. As PPs said, St Peters is not quite as pushy as Arden but more rounded people.

The only other one that springs to mind then is Kenilworth? Although the person going to Shirley gets a rough deal. Or Hampton in Arden but then the Warwick journey is a bit crap?

We went up to balsall common today and it feels so bisected by that main road. Is Hampton the same?