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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Moving to a new estate with a 'reputation' ;)

55 replies

Feminine · 14/01/2015 12:22

Presently we live rurally...
in a housing association home.
We have been approached for a 'swap'. This home is on a new development, homes still being built. Some are four years old.
It is one of those.
In the local area, this new development has raised some eyebrows. Narrow minded opinions l believe.
I have had so many people looking nervous when l have mentioned it, that l have started to wonder.
It is a lovely house, we'd gain space. Much needed space, and the area is so much better for me to find work in the future.
I am originally from London, l can't see the big deal. My husband loves it too.
I have found their local Facebook page, nothing stands out. Some typical housing estate issues really.
Of course, it won't be like village life,l know that. sometimes it is a bit boring anyway
It is a mixture of part owned, rented and mortgaged properties.

OP posts:
paperlace · 14/01/2015 12:25

What's your question?

Quitelikely · 14/01/2015 12:25

Everywhere you go has bad areas.

The only thing that would stop me moving to an area are:

Gangs outside or near my door, very bad neighbours.

If I felt it wasn't safe for my children to play outside.

Those things would genuinely make me not want to live somewhere.

squoosh · 14/01/2015 12:25

Drive through it late on a Friday and Saturday night and see what it's like. That will give you a good indication of how lively it is I'd imagine.

Quitelikely · 14/01/2015 12:26

To find out this info I would drive by the property on an evening, say Friday and Saturday

thornrose · 14/01/2015 12:27

It sounds like some people have a narrow minded view of estates. I lived in London for a long time. When I moved to a more rural area I did laugh at the areas that were considered rough! Grin

There are a lot of positives. Could you have a drive round at night and different parts of the day to get a feel for it?

Original poster
Feminine · 14/01/2015 12:31

paper guess l am wondering if l am going mad.
I normally trust my instinct.
This has got me second guessing myself as it involves my children's safety.
It would make my life easier...
Is it better for all of Us?
That type of thing...

OP posts:
Original poster
Feminine · 14/01/2015 12:31

Good idea about a night time visit.
It us only 20 minutes away...

OP posts:
ouryve · 14/01/2015 12:31

Is the reputation with people local to you or local to the development?

Some people will always be wary of any development. I've heard some die hard locals whispering all sorts of nonsense about a new-ish estate in our village because they had the nerve to demolish some crumbling old LA houses to make way for it. It's a lovely, well laid out estate of private and low cost homes and the families (mostly) living there have formed a strong community.

If it's right for you, I'd ignore the naysayers and go for it. When I saw the thread title, I honestly thought you were going to describe a sink estate.

Quitelikely · 14/01/2015 12:33

In what way does it involves your childrens safety OP?

You can't put a price on piece of mind.........

SaucyJack · 14/01/2015 12:34

Drive round in the day as well so you can see if the kids are playing out nicely if that's a concern.

19lottie82 · 14/01/2015 12:36

is there not a website where you can enter the post code and compare the crime / unemployment figures, to those of other areas?

grumbleina · 14/01/2015 12:37

I live in London, in Tower Hamlets. I hear all the time from people who don't live here what a terrible, dangerous, grim, dirty area it is.

We've never had a problem and love it.

It's up to you - agree that a couple of late night drive-bys and/or walk arounds aren't a bad idea, but go with your gut - if it feels good to you, do it!

MrsTawdry · 14/01/2015 12:39

Look at the crime map for the area OP. Go to my link below...click find your area and you will see the kind of crimes committed in the place over how ever many years/months you choose to look at.

www.police.uk/

Do the same in your current area...and others.

EhricLovesTheBhrothers · 14/01/2015 12:40

It sounds fine. People are always going to be snobby about housing estates and there is petty crime everywhere. There is a higher chance of finding antisocial neighbours on a social housing estate but still the majority of residents won't be.
Having said that, student towns are full of middle class privately renting young people who can be just as antisocial as your typical neighbours from hell.

MrsTawdry · 14/01/2015 12:41

I did this when moving and it was an eye opener. My old house was in a "better" neighbourhood...loads of private owners etc and expensive houses but the crime rate was actually worse. A combination of being near a very long main road I think and lots of burglaries. Where we were going was an estate with a rep. and there was FAR less crime in our new home

ouryve · 14/01/2015 12:41

Best time to visit at this time of year would be after the secondary age kids get home from school, say 4:30-5pm. Find out if they're actually going home, or hanging around with their mates, making their own entertainment. If so, are they confining themselves to all having a smoke outside the corner shop, or do they pretty much take over, start charging around on quad bikes, or whatever.

Another thing to look for, if you visit again in daylight, is paths that are short cuts and so on. Are they full of broken glass and grafitti, or reasonably clean. Any evidence of side windows barded up or barred?

Also have a look at the crime stats for the postcode. www.police.uk

HelloItsStillMeFell · 14/01/2015 12:41

I'm confused. They don't tend to build large local authority estates any more, you usually just get a percentage of new private sector housing developments given over to low cost/HA housing. How has this estate managed to get a bad reputation if it's so new and has a nice balance of residents between rented and owned? Are there large amounts of houses being privately rented to dodgy tenants or something? What is the situation of the family who have asked to swap with you? If your house on paper is less desirable than yours then what are their motives for wanting to swap?

It's hard to comment without knowing specifically what the issues are, but you can put the postcode into the police crime mapping website and see what types of crimes and their frequency are causing issues there.

Original poster
Feminine · 14/01/2015 12:42

I am thinking about drivers racing through. Steeling outside Christmas decorations. Those are a couple of issues, that were raised on the local page as being a 'problem' l think l have been spoilt in the village though.
The police. UK page lists 46 issues in or around the estate...

OP posts:
SeasonsEatings · 14/01/2015 12:42

Liek others have said visit the area, day and night to get a feel for it. On Facebook see if there is a community board, you are right to be cautious.

Original poster
Feminine · 14/01/2015 12:43

To put it in perspective though, one roadl lived in (London) had twice as many.
I don't remember living in fear.
I lived for 34 years there. ;)

OP posts:
ArsenicFaceCream · 14/01/2015 12:43

Is extra space your only reason for moving?

dashoflime · 14/01/2015 12:46

Hi OP. I live on an estate with a "reputation". Its in Glasgow though- not rural like you. I did have to think carefully before moving here. What convinced me was talking to others who live here and getting a realistic view of what life is like. In our case, there is some antisocial behaviour at the other end of the estate but very little at the "respectable end" where we live. Its more likely to be the neighbours that complain about us tbh Blush
If you don't know anyone who lives there- I agree with pp suggestions of visiting at night to get a better idea of the feel of the place. I would maybe also visit during the daytime to see if kids are playing out and maybe chat to any Mums you can find hanging around.
If its a new development, its kind of surprising that its gained a "reputation" already. What on earth could have happened in such a short space of time? I think its quite likely too be narrow mindedness as you say. I'd still take a visit to put your mind at rest though.

Original poster
Feminine · 14/01/2015 12:47

The police site lists anti social behaviour. One arson. This was for the month of November.
Thank you for all the advice.
The lady wanting to swap says it is safe of course she would :)
She likes my home as we have an enormous back garden at this home,and she us after a fresh start with her new partner.

OP posts:
Original poster
Feminine · 14/01/2015 12:49

Extra space and a busier area. facecream :)

OP posts:
60sname · 14/01/2015 12:50

Conversely, don't let any accusations of snobbery blind you to a bad area. I told myself this after exP accused me of being precious about moving to an area which turned out to be really dodgy - wish I'd listened to my gut.