Have 3 children. Eldest 2 are twins (boy and girl) and just about to transfer to high school. It's the "best" high school in my town. Youngest DD is just about to start primary. Again (if we get in - which we probably will) it's a really good school - 3rd highest on league tables. Good ofsted report etc.
Problem is - my town is an absolute shit hole. It really is. No nice way of saying this. I went into town today with the girls and I couldn't believe how bad it's got - loads of pound shops. a "brighthouse", pay day loan shops, ambulance chaser solicitors etc etc. I've looked at the predictions for the town and it's not going to get any better.
At the moment we live in what is considered the best postcode in the town. But we are a "pocket" surrounded by deprived areas in a bloody horrible town. The plan was always to move out of the area but we were originally going to wait until the children had finished their education. I'm now rethinking that. I just don't feel that I want to give my 11 year olds the freedom that I had - because of the area I live in. I know a lot of their friends go to town on their own, and go to the cinema etc on their own but I just don't think the area we live in is safe enough.
I've been looking at houses in areas that I want to live. We would have to downsize considerably, but I really feel it would be worth it to live in a "nice" neighbourhood. We could afford to make this move now - albeit that the children would have to accept smaller bedrooms.
Should I do it now? Or wait until they have left school? (Children are DD1 -11, DS1 -11 and DD2 4).
What would others do?