To think Yeovil can't be that bad?

[MissCherryCakeyBun]

We are looking at buying a house in Yeovil and when we try and research on the internet it seems people would rather pull their own nails out than live there....it can't be that bad can it? Looking at crime rate maps only tells part of the story and obviously we wouldn't buy in high crime areas.
OH having lived in Enfield ( not the wealthy part) for a good few years and I lived for 20 years in a high crime area in social housing ( 5 murders/ suspicious deaths) in 20 years within a mile of my house we are used to the more challenging side of life.

It's very hard to move nearly 4hrs drive away without knowing the area, we can't afford to rent in the area first either. Are we being unreasonable to just go with the flow and move ignoring the people who says it's awful and it's the worst place to live in the West Country ?

[Jux]

We live much further west than Yeovil, near Exeter, and it takes dh 2.5 hours to get to London by car, 3 hours by train. He doesn't go on the motorways, but the A303 almost all the way.

He gigs in Yeovil sometimes though, and says it's vile. I haven't been for years; the last time I was there it seemed OK, but I had lived for years in Elephant & Castle and The Oval (long before gentrification) so I'm no judge of the place.

[persypear]

Unless you have been to Yeovil and love it (???!!!) I would avoid Yeovil. There are much nicer places to live within your budget and still within driving or train distance. Yeovil might be better than some parts of London/ SE, but once there, I am sure you would regret it and want somewhere with a towncentre that you want to spend time in!

As an alternative OP, could you self build? On your budget you could buy a decent plot and have a managed self build and get the house you want, and possibly make a few quid if you wanted to sell on later.

But keep looking around and I am sure that you will find something to suit.

[UgliCat]

Yeovil itself doesn’t have a lot to offer in terms of character, however it is the most economical place to buy within a very short drive of many lovely places. I lived there for many years before emigrating.

It has plenty of facilities, good hospital, supermarkets gyms etc, even if they are all red brick and hideous. It’s a practical place not a pretty place. The council have gone over the top with practicalities like car parks over historical interest.
There’s some good curry houses and good restaurants to find.
Like anywhere else, it’s what you make of it really.

Dorchester is beautiful, isn’t far to drive but to live there is twice the price. I used to commute from Yeovil to Weymouth. Totally doable.
$150/160 should see you a good condition 3 bed end of terrace.

[WhyOhWine]

My cousin lives in Sherborne which is only about 4 miles from Yeovil and is lovely. I am sure it is much pricier than Yeovil, but if you end up in Yeovil at least you have some nice places nearby. I have had occasion to go into Yeovil when visting them and I must admit i found the centre pretty grim. Cousin does not seem to mind it though, as having it nearby gives them access to more facilities than they have in Sherborne (cinema, pool etc). He also seems to spend a lot of time at Yeovil golf club.
By the way I hate the A303 so much that I now always get the train when visting. There are horrific bottlenecks and it can be extremely slow, particularly around stonehenge. If your DH is planning to drive to and from London he needs to properly experience the A303 first so he knows whathe is letting himself in for.

[Nodancingshoes]

Yeovil is absolutely fine. It is one of the larger towns in the area hence higher crime rates etc... and has a few undesirable areas like every town. It has a good town centre, lots of restaurants, some nice pubs outside of the town centre, lovely parks, two beautiful country parks - nine springs and ham hill and some very good sporting facilities. Two out of three of the secondary schools are rated good - one is on the best improved schools list, several outstanding primary schools etc... It is also only an hour from the beautiful Dorset coastline. I've lived in the area for many years

[Nodancingshoes]

However you will struggle to buy anything in a nicer area with £150,000.

[Grandmaswagsbag]

Yeovil is fine but I wouldn’t describe it as a very nice place. But its certainly nothing compared to a rough part of any city! There are perfectly pleasant parts but I don’t think they’re that cheap. I would recommend wincanton. It’s a small market town that’s had a bit of a boom in ‘nice’ cafes and there are a few more interesting local businesses opening. It’s still reasonably priced, right on 303 so drive to London is easy. It’s surrounded by exceptionally ‘naice’ places like bruton and castle cary. I’m sure eventually it will become very desirable. Not that that’s a good thing if it follows Bruton property prices!

[m0therofdragons]

Like any town there are good bits and bad. I live in Yeovil (moved from south west) and it has beautiful parks, nice restaurants and is near enough to Lyme Regis, Exeter, Bath and the countryside to make me happy. It's a good base and can do london day trips.

There are those who've never left yeovil who are "interesting" but overall crime is pretty low. You do need to know where to avoid although on the whole you can tell by appearance. Feel free to PM me.

[m0therofdragons]

Oh and Sherborne is lovely but, despite the Waitrose loving residents being up in arms about the potential of a common Tesco being built, it's a pretty town of two halves - the haves and the have nots. The issues are hidden better there than Yeovil. I love visiting. Avoid Bridgwater and Taunton (although people in Taunton will tell you it's better than Yeovil, the deprivation evidence doesn't back this up).

[m0therofdragons]

Meant moved from South East!

[m0therofdragons]

Trains from Yeovil would normally mean 1 or 2 changes.

Not true. You go straight there from Yeovil Junction. I've never had to change although went from Castle Cary once as the line had works.

[Littleredboat]

I had to spend eight hours in Yeovil once.

It was grim. I don’t think I’ve been back to Somerset since.

[CalF123]

I'd really recommend looking north of London at places like Welwyn Garden City, Stevenage or even Hitchin.

You also have places in London itself that haven't been gentrified yet but which are great location-wise and on the way up such as Shadwell.

[Weedsnseeds1]

There's some new build 2 bed terraces in Street in your range. Also Shepton Mallet, Chard, Briton. Weston Super Mare? OK away from the town centre and there's a big new development being built at Locking

[goose1964]

I'd avoid Trowbridge,as mentioned above, it's dreary. It is handy for Bath though.

[MissCherryCakeyBun]

Calif..... I grew up in WGC my daughter lives in Knebworth I really don't want to stay in this area and also no way on earth I can buy a property in the £150k range unless it's a garage in these areas

[balsamicbarbara]

Yeovil is more picturesque than many places in the SE to be fair. It's not culture central but past middle age as long as there's a good telly signal and a park to walk around I imagine all is well.

[MissCherryCakeyBun]

Thanks for all your support, it's given us some idea of what people think of Yeovil. We have viewed properties in surrounding areas and it's helped us too

Ps WGC and it's surrounds are nice enough but extremely expensive...an ex Council house near to a friend of my mums is now going for £560k

[LakieLady]

I think you should consider getting a small mortgage OP. Most decent brokers will be able to find a mortgage for a term that will run until one of you reaches 70, and for another £40-50k, you'd find a lot more properties available.

We stopped in Beaminster a few months ago, and were surprised to see some lovely cottages for under £200k, and it's a lovely town.

I know the area around Yeovil well, and there are some lovely villages and small towns (Somerton, Upton, Huish Episcopi) around, but I wouldn't fancy living in Yeovil itself.

It has a lovely fabric shop though, if it's still there.

[m0therofdragons]

I'd avoid Shepton Mallet personally.

Yeovil has a well-supported theatre. I love the cinema in Dorchester though (£2.50 a tickets!)

[Atalune]

Weston super mare
Shepton mallet
Chard

I would AVOID

[ThePants999]

I moved in the other direction, OP - from Yeovil area to Enfield (not the wealthy part). Yeovil is indeed better :-)

[Grandmaswagsbag]

I have a real soft spot for shepton as my GPs lived there for years. But I wouldn’t advise anyone else to move there! I would also caution against Weston s-m. My mum managed to get smallish mortgage until she’s 70 at the age of 60! It can be done and might increase your options a little, this area isn’t as cheap as it used to be sadly.

[OlennasWimple]

Which bit of London does your DH need to access? Is you basically looking down the M4 corridor, as far into the west country as possible?

[AnotherOriginalUsername]

I've lived in Weston-super-Mare. If you avoid living on one of the housing estates (Oldmixon or Bournville) or the town centre you're fine.

Chard also isn't completely awful if you don't venture out after dark. It's not great but it's cheap and cheerful. The true locals are a slightly unusual breed (especially those that consider a trip up the A303 to Yeovil to be an expedition) but I did marry one

WsM to London would be a ballache though.

OP have you considered looking at a residential static home instead of a house? There are some lovely ones these days, cheaper than a house and you'd get a place in nicer areas too.