to consider moving to Wales?

[cheminotte]

Specifically Abergavenny?
We have 2 dc age 4 and 7, going into Reception and Y3 in September. We live in a small city in the West Midlands and commute to Bristol and Birmingham respectively.
Pros - much closer to beautiful countryside, less pollution, slightly shorter commute for dp, cheaper house prices
Cons - I would need to find a new job, but am contracting anyway so no security, massive upheaval for dc, esp ds1 who has taken a while to settle into school, further from pils.
Smaller location so possibly less available to do in evenings?
Neutral - similar commuting distance to Cardiff as Birmingham,

Ds1 suffers from some sort of allergy which we suspect may be caused by living near motorways and a railway line (diesel).
We are an outdoorsy family and love walking and cycling but currently have to drive a bit first

[cheminotte]

He generally leaves about 4 /4.30 /5 at latest so is rarely back later than 6, earlier if he is picking dc up.

He has said he will get up very early one morning and drive to work VIA Abergavenny, probably on a Monday as that's the worst day for morning traffic.

Now though he's having 2nd thoughts about the whole thing as we would be dependent on his income until I find a job and what if I don't?? Also anti-renting in the short term as we would be wasting 800+ per month on rent while the house prices probably increase. Aarghh! It was his idea in the first place and now he's getting cold feet.

[PustyRussell]

Should mention that they live in Abergavenny!

[PustyRussell]

My sister and brother-in-law both work in Bristol. They reckon it takes 40mins to 1 hr 20 depending on traffic. So definitely doable.

[OnlyTheWelshCanCwtch]

Whilewildeisonmine- I work in Caerphilly!

[LetsFaceTheMusicAndDance]

We lived in Shirenewton and Chepstow. It took DH a good 45 mins to commute to Cardiff. I think 40 mins might be pushing it but he might be lucky leaving at 7. What about the way home, though? It's a long day if he leaves at 7 and doesn't get back till late.

[BrieAndChilli]

We live in a village near Chepstow.
Schools round here do some welsh but most of the teaching is in English. All the stuf home is in English, reading books etc are in English etc, think they order Thier snacks in welsh etc
We are 20 min from Newport for cinema, retail shops, etc. 5 min drive from a train station, 20 min drive from cribbd causeway
But we have a lovely out look of fields and woods, kids school in next village is lovely with forest scho in the grounds, small enough to be friendly (1 class if 30 per year) an everyone knows everyone but big enough to have the resources they need.
Abergavenny is about half hour drive from here so still
Accessible, I actually had all 3 of in at Neville hall instead of nearest hospital at newport

[cheminotte]

Okay - so does anyone currently commute to the outskirts of Bristol from Abergavenny leaving at about 7am? Feel free to PM me if that would be giving too much info online.

[whilewildeisonmine]

My parents moved near to Abergavenny when I was 11. King Henry VIII school has quite a good reputation these days (as far as I'm aware anyway). I've known a few people commute to Bristol so it is definitely do-able but you will need to consider the bridge toll.

A few people have said don't go for Newport and whilst it is a bit of a shit hole at the moment it might improve with the new shopping centre in the town. Currently the city centre is pretty shocking and most of the decent shops are in the retail park a few miles out. There are some lovely areas of Newport like Stow Hill.

Look at Caerleon too- it's quite lovely there and close to the M4. There are Roman remains there and some lovely little shops. It's quite small and has a villagey feel about it.

We're near Caerphilly at the moment which is also nice but far cheaper than Monmouthshire!

[cheminotte]

Thanks for that Pusty - will take a look.

[PustyRussell]

If you go on //www.monmouthshire.gov.uk there is a section called My Monmouthshire, where you can input a post code and it will tell you all sorts about that area, including doctors surgeries, schools in catchment etc.

[cheminotte]

Washing - yes that is what I was thinking but would want to do that without dc I think. Or dp does a first viewing on way home from Bristol.

Renting probably best I know as will get to know different areas of town. How will that work with schools? I probably need to phone up council and ask if any places or enough to choose from or we will just get what available?

[cheminotte]

Washing - yes that is what I was thinking but would want to do that without dc I think. Or dp does a first viewing on way home from Bristol.

Renting probably best I know as will get to know different areas of town. How will that work with schools? I probably need to phone up council and ask if any places or enough to choose from or we will just get what available?

[OnlyTheWelshCanCwtch]

I would definately rent first, for at least a year, so you can experience all seasons in a new town. (All will be wet though, you can tell when its summer in Wales as rain is warmer... :) )

[harriet247]

Wales is wonderful! Well, my part is, northish :) its so safe and pretty and nice neighbours etc. I wouldnt leave! Good luck!

[CelticPromise]

Having relocated recently I would def rent first. It takes the stress off to an extent, no chain is a big advantage in the housing market and you can really get a feel for the new place. We will be moving from our rented house soon and it's an arseache moving again but I wouldn't do it another way. I am much more confident about the house we're buying and we always knew there was a relatively easy way out if it turned out it wasn't for us.

[WashingFanatic]

Look online and try and book back to back viewings all in one day then do a day trip?

That's what we did for my MIL when she moved to our area from London.

[cheminotte]

Thanks for all the suggestions and comments. Now wondering how it would work viewing houses etc. Renting first is a possibility but would mean 2 moves. Any thoughts / experience?

[cheminotte]

hippo - a more relaxed infants sounds great tbh. I really don't feel ds2 (so not my pfb) is ready for school.

Sid - Yes I do like Monmouth too, but no railway station. For Chalford - a bus to a train is no good, I've done it before. If one is late you miss your connection and one will rarely wait for the other.

[Sidthesausage]

Monmouth is lovely!! Slightly alternative, reasonable house prices compared to the Cotswolds, good schools, drive away from beaches (gower might be just over an hour?).

Also consider Wotton under edge. Nice small town, community feel, cinema, out door pool, nice countryside (on edge of Cotswolds), half an hour or so from Bristol so easy commute for DH.

You could also both stay in your jobs and look at Chalford. My SIL lives in Chalford near stroud and that's stunning! No where near a beach bit my green eyed monster always appears. Amazing schools, community, very hilly, lots of woodland, good bus route to train station. Train from stroud to Bristol.

[Sidthesausage]

Monmouth