Anyone live in/around Boston, Lincs?

[pooemoji]

As we are considering selling up from nr. London and moving up that way.

We are looking to go mortgage free, so our budget limits us to around this area, but ideally south of Boston so less travelling to visit family down south.

What are peoples thoughts on Kirton + the schools?

We have 2 kids, currently in Y4 and Y1, so also need to think about the secondary schools if we look to move by next summer?

TIA!

Long answer sorry.
I used to live around there age 0-teen so this was a few years ago and obviously depends on personal preference, but I hated it. The towns and cities (Boston/Grantham/Sleaford ect.) are so run down unless your main shopping is done in poundland and knock off handbag shops, (No hate to poundland it would just be nice to have a different option) the "countryside" around is just plain flat fields that go on for miles and smell like cabbages, no hills, no scenery, nothing fun to explore unless you like angry farmers. The primary school I went to was awful with no lack of punishments like "Sit outside in the cold hallway without your jumper for talking" (Though it does have a new headteacher so may have changed) The secondary school was known for its weird "pervy" teachers and unhappy student (Lots of depression, self harm, bullying.)
The people don't want to be friendly with you, unless you get in a little village community and want to be involved in all the "goss" and bitching you will more likely get a swearword greeting you rather than a hello and the nearest attraction place would be Skegness.. a seaside town recently named as one of the worst places to visit in a list that included North Korea.
Although contradicting everything I've said if you find a nice village/area it's possible you could make it home, Bourne was a nice little place in my (small) memory of it, Quadring Primary school was small and really cared about its students (Not my school but a family members). So I would just say be very careful about where you settle, it's easy to see from a quick glance which areas are looked after and cared for a which areas you can get a sniff of the white stuff on every corner. I would avoid Boston and the villages surrounding it. I would never go back for even a flying visit.

Forgot to add, I think the grammar schools were quite nice so may be something to consider if you do move.
Ps, that message may make me seem suck up, I'm really not (currently living in a council house near a run down place in another part of England but its kind and friendly and I love it.)

I live near Sleaford and I wouldn't live in Boston if you paid me. Schools are great in Sleaford and surrounding villages and they have grammar schools as well as comps.

No problem getting into schools, no problem seeing a doctor the same day (if you ring at 8am). It's SAFE. Boston is not safe. Don't do it.

Lived there for a few years in my teens and honestly you couldn’t pay me to ever go back there. Dreadful place.

I have a friend who taught there. Doesn't speak highly of the place. Sounds very, very depressing. (I am deliberately downplaying this - I would do some more research if I were you!!!)

I used to work in Boston many years ago; it is a god forsaken misery hole and wild horses couldn't drag me back

Just don't

There’s nothing there.

Why not consider Nottingham way instead? Also got better transport links.

I enjoyed my two years spent in Kirton (about 5 years ago now though). PPs points about Boston itself are valid. Kirton was nice for a walk around, pub visit and there was also a drs and pharmacy, co op and chip shop..other shops I didn't use. If you decide to move there the villages are ok ( Wigtoft Sutterton Gosberton etc) but I did prefer Bourne and the villages surrounding there more than the ones near Boston. Also good access to A1 there. Schools wise.. grammar system is good if thats your thing. Not many people rated the secondary in Kirton but never really managed to explain why when I asked. Primaries I had more experience of and were ok.. lots of children with English as a second language as you might expect with the community around Boston but this wasn't a problem. Boston traffic I also remember being a nightmare and I was glad I didn't have to commute through the town. A16 also a very slow road if you get behind agricultural traffic or lorries and you arent in a passing place. There are a lot of lorries! In short.. there are probably better places but there are definitely worse places too. Just avoid Boston itself for sure.

I wouldn't, it's really not a very nice place at all and it is miles and miles away from anywhere interesting....

What is your budget and what are you looking for? Maybe we can suggest other places that you might like?

Not sure about the surrounding areas but my dad used to locum in that area and take my mum with him. She hated it, said it smelled of cabbages and called it Cabbage Land and in the end started refusing to go. I'm sure there are some lovely places that way, just keep researching.

Have you looked at the villages around Sleaford. Or sleaford itself? I really wouldn’t consider Boston or Grantham though.

I don't know Kirton but Boston is a shithole....sorry to any Bostonians.

Grantham is better I guess. At least it's on the A1 so an easy escape for better shopping, etc.

No to Boston..I live in outlying village I never go to Boston. It is ruined.Cliff villages such as Welbourn,Navenby are nice. Woodhall Spa also nice. Do not know your budget. Also outside Sleaford there is Leasingham and Ewerby. Grammar schools in sleaford and Grantham. The comp in Sleaford has gone downhill. There are decent villages on bus routes around Sleaford,Boston and Grantham

I absolutely hated the years I spent in Lincolnshire as a teenager, The infrastructure is terrible and the opportunities few. I left as soon as I was able to and never looked back. I really wouldn’t recommend it to anyone as a place to love.

*live

Am afraid I agree with WestBerlin we sort of fell into Lincolnshire. Stayed because ds1 liked his school..now he is at Uni and we home ed we might move!

Give Boston a miss - Some of the little villages like Kirton are fine but you're miles from anywhere. Have a look at Grantham instead - good school system, better hospital, better connections.

If you've got any pre-existing health conditions really think hard before you move to Lincolnshire: we have no specialists, occasionally one comes over from Nottingham for a day, but it's very difficult to get appointments for. Lincolnshire is terrible for healthcare - good for education though.

I grew up in Lincolnshire, moved to London at 18 swearing never to go back, lived in four capital cities yet where do I end up.....back in Lincolnshire!

I used to live there and disagree with many of these posts. There are lovely little villages such as Fleet Hargate, Sutton bridge... these are nearer Holbeach/Spalding than Boston. There is lots to do and the house prices are fantastic.
If your work fits into the area then definitely go for it.

Another place to suggest is North Norfolk. Lots to do and stunning beaches, broads and places to visit.

Agree with others Boston is a hell hole.

Stamford and surrounding villages are nice.

Does anyone know what its like in wigtoft?

Another place to suggest is North Norfolk

Just NO! 30 kids in the class and 2 surnames.