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 ?

[pootlepootle]

Wincanton- good for a303 and pretty little market town

literally spat my tea. they've called us a lot of things but pretty ain't one of them.

Now I love Winky but it's a town with a level of hidden poverty that would surprise you. the high street is suffering badly and a famous local landowner is doing his best to make the town uglier every year (particularly the entrances to the town).

all that being said, you're not going to find much for £150k.

i love it here honestly.

[Grandmaswagsbag]

I do think Winccy is quiet pretty actually! Very historic. I think all towns round here are towns of 2 halves, take Frome for example. Castle Cary actually has one of the most deprived areas in Somerset according to the rankings schools use. Yet to go into the town you would never have a clue and property is very pricey.

[kitchensinkmum]

It's all relative. Not much employment there but compared to some places it's a dream. Villages surrounding are very nice indeed as are other local towns.
It's not that bad and I'd be happy to live near to it

[IHeartKingThistle]

I'm from the area and I wouldn't live in Yeovil, no.

[WutheringFrights]

I’m local but live nearer Taunton, I really wouldn’t want to live in Yeovil there are so many nicer villages nearby that are more affordable than you think but you need to be ready to jump!
Ilminster is beautiful and properties in your price range do come up occasionally - perfect for access to a303 or M5.

[snicketywickety]

I lived in Yeovil for a year a few years back, and when I mention it, I get the same response. 'Oh yes, I've driven through Yeovil on the way to (insert other place name)... sums it up really! (No offence intended to yeovilites).

[IbbleObbleOut]

I live in yeovil. You cannot judge a whole town because you drove through once or spent a few hours there, that is ridiculous! It so depends on what you want from a town. There are some lovely parts of the town to live in with good community. The town centre I do avoid to be fair. If I want to shop I like Dorchester or Taunton. Within 3 minutes I can walk to the river and beautiful countryside, a decent local pub, a.shop and a large park. Don't write it off! Happy to answer any questions about specific areas/roads as due to my job I've visited all of them. If you want culture or nightlife then it ain't for you. If you want handy countryside, decent independant restaurant's and proximity to Dorset coast, then you're on the right track!

[m0therofdragons]

Oh my goodness, I've actually just spent the last 5 minutes reading a local report on employment in south somerset. Employment levels are good. We have one if the best performing hospitals in the country.

People tend to talk places down based on nothing. It's very British.

[Grandmaswagsbag]

Yeovil hospital is bloody great yet that gets bad rap locally too. I just don’t understand that.

[WhiteCoyote]

Deffo don’t do Yeovil op. Weston-super-mare is just as cheap but a lot nicer. Plenty of 2 beds in the 120-150 range.

Seriously guys, Welwyn? That’s ridiculously expensive

[MilfordFound]

Shaftesbury, Frome, Motcombe, Sherborne, Milbourne Port, Sturmineter Newton, Bruton, all nice towns/villages in the area.
Have you considered Salisbury? Much nicer than Yeovil.

[Grandmaswagsbag]

The op has about 150k though. All those places are nice if you have a very large budget.

[OlennasWimple]

I second the idea of Weston-S-M. You shoudl be able to get a nice two bed flat for £150k

As an aside, I'm thoroughly depressed by how expensive housing is in this part of the world

[CalF123]

Does it need to be house? You could get a nice flat in somewhere like Woking for that price.

[Motoko]

Calf OP has said what areas she's looking in, so why keep suggesting places that are not in those areas?

[Scabbersley]

Yeovil is fine! Nicer than Enfield and fgs don't go to Bridgwater!

I know schools aren't an issue but there are good schools in Yeovil just to correct a pp.

The countryside and village pubs around are lovely. The parks are also lovely. It's very practical and the crime rate isn't particularly high. Sherborne is pretty but as a pp said, it's a town of two halves. Also the average age is 75!

[Scabbersley]

Yeovil hospital is brilliant. There's a load of guff being talked on this thread.

[Scabbersley]

And you won't get anything in frome or Sherborne for 150k so please stop suggesting those places to the OP!

[CandyMelts]

Sherbourne is the dullest place I've ever visited so you're not missing out there OP

[Atalune]

scabberys there are some good primaries but secondaries?? Preston maybe at a pinch.....bucklers or Westfield no way! And I’ve worked in all 3.

[Scabbersley]

Westfield is a good school. It's improved a lot.

[Foxysoxy10]

I like Yeovil

But if you’re not that keen how about slightly further afield and going for Taunton, Wellington, Honiton? All really nice and scenic.

The outlying larger villages around Taunton are numerous and all worth considering.

[PostNotInHaste]

Can’t believe I’m saying this as have spent years saying don’t do it, but I third Weston super Mare. DH and I noticed big difference when we went back last year and we’re up close to it this weekend having a discussion with someone about how much it’s improved.

He’s got a big budget deciding where to live and could scrape a house Clifton or Hotwells in Bristol but also considering Weston and I know of a couple of others who have moved out from Bristol in the last couple of years.

[WhatATimeToBeAlive]

The mortgage thing is all very well on paper but when talking to Banks and mortgage providers they are not impressed with a 15 year mortgage

We've just done that. I'm 52, and no issues with getting one.

[Sidge]

Come up to Wiltshire. Chippenham and surrounding areas have good access to London via train lines, as well as the M4 corridor.

Prices in many areas are high, and avoid a lot of Swindon, but you can get a nice place for a relatively small budget especially if you don't mind a do-er upper.

If you see a broker rather than going to banks etc directly I think you would easily get a small mortgage of say £40-50K which would increase your property pool significantly.