Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To move to Wrexham?

51 replies

Coldfeet18 · 04/01/2018 12:15

Not an aibu really, but posting for traffic.

Dh has the possibility of a new job in Wrexham, better wages and prospects than his current job.

All I know about Wrexham is what I've seen in the media which is mainly negative (I've taken this with a pinch of salt) so I need some real life opinions.

We would need to be near a decent primary school. I work very part time and shouldn't have much of a problem getting a job, there seems to be plenty in my field advertised.

It's very daunting, we still live in our home town so it would be a big change.

Anyone live in or know Wrexham? Smile

OP posts:
WrexhamIsOK · 04/01/2018 20:46

I'm in one of the villages near the Shropshire border (Overton on Dee), which is a good place to live with lots of amenities, good primary and secondary school (Maelor, Penley) and about 15 minutes from Wrexham.
Wrexham town is OK. Reasonable shops, a cinema, some restaurants, good library etc, but it's a bit sad in parts. It's the surrounding areas you can live and amuse yourself in that make it an acceptable place to work.

WrexhamIsOK · 04/01/2018 20:47

HairyToity, I must know you...!

dixietwinbarrel · 04/01/2018 20:49

We live about 7 miles outside of Wrexham towards Llangollen. Its a beautiful place to live and our village is on the quiet side. As everywhere, Wrexham has its bad points bit I could think of worse areas to live.
My children also attend welsh medium and secondary schools

BobbinThreadbare123 · 04/01/2018 20:50

Kinnerton? Up onto the Wirral? Mold and surrounds are fairly nice.

ManicUnicorn · 04/01/2018 20:53

Caia Park is nice Wink

sugaredstrawberries · 04/01/2018 20:54

I agree with others, look at surrounding villages. There's good and bad everywhere you go but although I like to mooch around Wrexham itself, I wouldn't live around the town centre. The neighbouring villages are gorgeous with really lovely people and great views!

PopadomPointer · 05/01/2018 10:17

Why are people suggesting Coedpoeth?it was rough as hell a few years agoHmm

Ownerofalittlechimp · 05/01/2018 17:15

We live in one of the surrounding villages (not mentioned in the thread yet but possibly not one viewed as the best although it's more sought after than most would imagine) about 15 minutes from the town centre. Our eldest goes to a lovely school with excellent rating & very community based. Easy access to lots of amenities, pubs, countryside etc. Like others i wouldn't live in the town centre but it's not representative of the majority of the Wrexham area at all.

OhGodWhatTheHellNow · 05/01/2018 17:47

I miss Wrexham, loads of activities for the DC in the holidays, soft play, parks, cinema etc and the nearby primary schools were well rated. Now live in rural Denbighshire might as well be outer space as we had to move for family reasons. We were in Brynteg, one of the mining villages outside town and it's horses for courses really, more money gets a better area with prices ratcheting up towards Chester.

No one who had to rely on Rhyl as their 'big town' would complain about Wrexham!

welshpixie · 05/01/2018 18:14

This were you have to be careful, I am a Wrexhamian through and through, but I left many years ago. I went to Grove Park, but we are talking late 70's early 80's. Penney that has such a good reputation now was considered a dump then. Cain Park was Queens Park and I worked in the leisure centre. I lived. Took my PFB there this summer (she is 21) she nearly died when we got to Queensway and couldn't believe I worked there.
There are some nicer places, Garden Village used to be posh and Rhosddu rougher, Acton & Borras are fine but not Hightown.
PM if you want any more info after 30 years of globe trotting I am back close to there now. Good luck

welshpixie · 05/01/2018 18:15

I hate autocorrect PENLEY CAIA

MrsJakeLovell · 05/01/2018 18:22

Coldfeet18 are you currently in Merthyr?! Trying to think of where people would say those things about S Wales Wink

Nothing wrong with North Wales, welsh education or NHS Wales - just the gog accent! [Grin]

Frazzled2207 · 05/01/2018 18:26

I think what people are saying is that despite parts of Wrexham being less than desirable the area as a whole has got loads going for it.
Even if you didn't live in Chester, it isn't far and there is loads going on there. Plus Liverpool, Manchester and Snowdonia are all day-trippable.

When I go back to visit my family I sometimes wonder why I left.

You need a car but the roads are good and traffic light so 10 miles is nothing.
Whereas where I live 2 miles can mean half an hour of gridlock!

Original poster
Coldfeet18 · 05/01/2018 19:29

@mrsjake not far but my town is about half the size of Merthyr and apparently twice as rough Grin.

So another job may be a possibility but is near Leeds!

Bit concerned about threads I read regarding English secondary schools admissions!? We aren't sure yet if dh's son will want to move with us but if he does we would need to be in catchment of a decent secondary I think?

OP posts:
user1489434024 · 05/01/2018 19:49

I'm near Wrexham. You can say bad thugs about anywhere. It's an ok area within close proximity is A LOT of areas of outstanding natural beauty. Beaches not far. Cities not far. National trust. Zoo. Sports. It's not that bad a place.

grownuptoofast · 31/01/2019 11:15

Wrexham town centre is disappointing it is disjointed and split over three areas. However Wrexham is central to some good shopping in Shrewsbury, Chester and Broughton. If you are looking for living in Wrexham then Acton, Borras, Plas Goulbourn, Garden Village. Good schools and access to local shops eg mini market, chemist and GP practices. Further a field Rossett and Trevor.

gottagetbetter7 · 31/01/2019 11:32

I work in Wrexham in lots of different schools as a supply teacher. I was quite daunted at the prospect of going there (live in Cheshire) from its reputation. However with one or two exceptions all the schools I have worked in have been good, even those in "rough" areas mentioned. The school staff have been friendly and welcoming and the kids overall are lovely. There is also less pressure in Welsh schools, they let the kids be kids longer before starting to pressurise them. Are you Welsh OP?

initiativetaker · 31/01/2019 12:31

@Coldfeet18 I agree with all who have suggested living just outside Wrexham and commuting. I was in a similar position to you a couple of years ago but on my own (no kids). Gresford and Rossett have already been mentioned but I would also add Holt to that list. It is a lovely village right on the Cheshire border but not as expensive as the Cheshire side. It is also close to Darland High school which has a good reputation.
I commute to the industrial estate and although it gets busy at certain times the road links (not public transport) are good. Even in the snow we've had it's not taken too much longer.
I also second @Hushabyelullaby suggestion of around the Hawarden/Ewloe area. You do get access to the Cheshire hospital (I can't fault them!) plus you've got really good road links and schooling such as Hawarden High.
Good luck with the decisions!

krustykittens · 31/01/2019 12:59

I have to say, I wouldn't recommend Bishop Heber in Malpas. My daughter suffered horrific bullying there and the school did sweet FA about it. We moved after putting in a complaint to OFSTED and despite having her signed off by a GP for anxiety and depression and needing ongoing support, they denied any bullying to her new school, that we had raised any concerns at the time (despite being in for numerous meetings) and that we were basically making the whole thing up! The headmaster didn't even acknowledge letters sent to him while we were there.

Nayne · 20/03/2022 08:23

My sister looked at property in Brynteg. She seems happy with the house, but unsure about the area. After reading reviews about Wrexham, I wonder if this is a nice place to live?

maddening · 20/03/2022 08:31

There are lovely areas around Wrexham, and Wrexham is like most UK towns, good parts and not so good, I don't think it is all awful at all. And also close to lots of things, not far from Chester, good access to the rest of North Wales and Anglesey, not bad for Liverpool and Wirral etc and the northwest England in general.

twominutesmore · 20/03/2022 08:48

On the shortlist for City of Culture this year. Wrexham FC now owned by a Hollywood actor.

EssexLioness · 20/03/2022 08:51

No to Wrexham itself. Rossett is halfway between Wrexham and Chester. Nice large village with friendly locals and decent basic amenities and pretty. Lived three years ago and would happily go back - moved to Essex for my job but I loved my time in Rossett

Mariadon88 · 08/07/2022 09:57

Hi I know your comment was from 4 years ago but I noticed you menioned something about Rhyl, is that where you live now? I'm based in Rhyl and looking at moving to Wrexham but everyone I know says how bad it is but my son was sent to a specialist school in wrexham which is a lengthy commute for a 9 year old as you can imagine but when I used to take him before transport was arranged I took the time to drive around to look at areas from llay down to ruabon or maybe further, I found some areas I really like and some I didn't ... One thing for sure is it felt and looked alot better than Rhyl and there is nothing but young groups of kids trying to act like little thugs round here so I'm just asking if you have lived in both areas what is your opinion on the 2 areas? I really liked being in wrexham and the town is so much better than where I am but it's one of them things that you don't know if it will be a mistake or not and I've been in this house for 14 years and it's all my kids have known so it would be a big change for us all really, hope you can help make up my mind :) thanks

CuttedUpDress · 08/07/2022 10:08

Eccleston, Farndon, Hawarden, penyffordd, Rossett are all nice.

If you pick one of the Welsh villages between Wrexham and Chester you get the benefit of the Welsh free school meals, prescriptions etc. But can choose to go to Chester or Wrexham hospital.

There is only a 20 minute drive between Chester and Wrexham. They are quite close.