To ask you if this place exists?

[montepulcianos]

I would really like to move house, somewhere we can get more house for our money as we would like a lot more space (currently live in the Home Counties in a lovely area with very good schools and great links into London, so housing is crazy expensive) and to escape the 11 plus/grammar system and the associated pressure and competitive attitudes.

We need to be within relatively easy reach of an airport as DH works overseas part of the week. I'd say maximum 45mins-1 hour by car to an airport. Need good schools for DC and would like to be in pleasant surroundings, in or near countryside and open space. Love the idea of the Cotswolds but seems too far from either Heathrow or Birmingham airports?

Have family up north and also more centrally. Would be great to be nearer to them too. Also decent train links to London (but not for daily commute, more occasional work trips).

Any brainwaves?! Does such a place exist?!

South Warwickshire isn’t a grammar system in the same way that Kent is though - there are only 3 grammar schools (1 boys, 1 girls, 1 mixed) and there are good nt, that most children go to. Yes, there is a degree of hysteria over the 11 plus, but you don’t have to do it.

Good state options! Not good nt!

Royal Leamington Spa

I used to fly to NYC every couple of weeks from Birmingham airport and took 20 mins to get there maximum.

Has great schools

1 hour into London by train

Chic shops and restaurants

Surrounded by countryside

What I will say though, is that I live in a village just outside one of the main towns and the dc that live here all go to different schools - various private, grammar and state - there isn’t much community from that point of view.

Yep, South Warwickshire tends to scatter the kids between the state, grammar and private schools I agree. Same here, I suspect we live in a similar place @littlepeas!

Peak District is wet, same with Manchester- it’s much wetter

Nowt wrong with wet!

I never have the correct clothing 😉

Tha' needs a trip t'oitdoor shop!!

That said, as a northerner relocated to Warwickshire, I do definitely notice it's less soggy 😂

Move to Ireland - it is fab!

Market Harborough seems to get frequent high places in lists of best places to live. Near East Midlands Airport, M1, trains, etc.

Miss - Warwickshire often misses the rain and sends it to Birmingham/ that’s why West Midlands was invented 🤫🤭

Hahahaha 🤣🤣🤣

Pasithea that's lovely to hear, good on you!

Thanks again for all the suggestions and tips. Food for thought. I need to gauge DH's thoughts about a totally new area but have plenty to consider and talk through with him here.

How old are your children? If you think they'll go to university, I'd go to Scotland.

Leicestershire, Northamptonshire or Bedfordshire!

I'd second Herefordshire/Worcestershire. Lovely countryside, some really nice small towns (Ledbury, Pershore, Malvern are all lovely) and a remarkably rural feel for somewhere under an hour from Birmingham.

In terms of housing, you get a lot more for your money than you would in the Cotswolds or Chilterns.

South warwickshire would fit the bill I think.

Yes it has grammars ( 1 boys, 1 girls, 1 mixed) but there isn't much madness about it. It's not like Kent oor bucks grammar systems at all. Large amount of children don't even take the 11+ and just go to their local high schools.

Lots of lovely villages with excellent small primary schools. Close to lots of towns, Stratford, Warwick, Leamington, Banbury are all not far.

Lots of private options aswell.

I think others have mentioned Cheshire.

Altrincham and Sale are on the tram but are in Trafford which has an opt in Grammar system. Wilmslow and Knutsford have well thought of high schools and are nice small towns with lovely villages around. Wilmslow is also on the fast train to London. Both are a short drive of the airport.

@Littlepeas @MissMarplesKnitting I think we are all local to each other!

@Jarhead123
From the blackberry thread I think you are neighbours

Hello we are looking at moving to Worcester. Not city centre but close to all amenities ie walking distance/bus route. Somewhere quiet and friendly. Can anyone advise us please?