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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU- really worried about moving to Northampton

214 replies

up1978 · 03/12/2018 09:50

we are looking to move to Northampton (Weston Favell area) or maybe somewhere else still not 100% sure from London. I have 2 children one going into high school in September and i am really worried that he wont do as well in school as he will be an in year transfer and I wouldnt really get a choice on where he gets a place as most good schools are oversubscribed. Just really anxious about it all. If any of you live in the area please let me know what its like living there with kids.

OP posts:
Maelstrop · 03/12/2018 22:20

Banbury or go wet to the Welsh border, Herefordshire etc instead, or Nottingham.

Why not Corby as your DH is from there?

I'm London too and looking to early retire to Herefordshire, but I'd be looking at Lincolnshire given the choice because it's a darn sight cheaper, or maybe Devon for value for money.

Why have you chosen Northampton? I don't know it but it's not coming out well on here!

OlennasWimple · 03/12/2018 22:24

I'd choose Corby over Northampton - if you haven't been back in a while, it might be worth a look. Some incredible investment and rejuvenation work has gone on

stilllearnin · 03/12/2018 22:39

I have lived in Northampton all my life. And my kids have been to a lot of schools here! Moulton is good and some years you can get places without living so near. NIA is too new to say. But generally the schools in Northampton are not good at all - Caroline Chisholm on Grange Park was excellent. You have to live on Grange Park or a nearby named area to get in mainly.

Have you thought about Rugby or Warwickshire generally? Not so clued up on that area but the schools are apparently good.

Weston Favell village and Abington Vale are decent areas to live however.

Northampton has decent youth music service, decent performing arts schools, good theatres and cinema. Decent sports facilities. The feel and sense of it going to the dogs however is undeniable sadly

WellyWoolly · 03/12/2018 23:43

You mention buses, so it's worth reminding you that you can't rely on public transport to get around as you do in London.
None of this rocking up at the bus stop and one will be along in a minute - more like you'll be lucky if there's one an hour. (that's if you don't live on a route that's been suspended)

stilllearnin · 04/12/2018 07:55

Yes the bus services are ok but not on time and nothing like London or cities like Manchester. I do think it’ll be quite a shock. But there are good things going on here. Oh yes and Children Services and CAMHS are shocking. Hopefully you won’t need them.

CarrieBlu · 04/12/2018 08:11

I personally wouldn’t rave about the surrounding towns such as Kettering, Corby, Wellingborough, but there are lots of lovely surroundings villages. Also places such as Rothwell, it’s nice there. Lots of restaurants, few shops, schools, etc. Might be worth a look.

Jamiefraserskilt · 04/12/2018 08:25

Look south of the county too. Towcester has an Ofsted outstanding school and a mix of excellent primary schools. Bus services to mk and Northampton, a very supportive small office, home office council team and business community (14%+ soho) house prices are not bad (Not as expensive as villages but more than city). Large supermarkets. 17 miles from both city centres and surrounded in some lovely countryside. There is so much more to Northamptonshire than Northampton.

NoThankyouHun · 04/12/2018 08:31

I've been to Northampton a few times for work. What a dump. Not sure why you'd want to move there without very good reason. Keep researching.

justthewayitis0 · 04/12/2018 08:34

I used to live in Weston Favell and I would avoid Blackthorn and Goldings! They are extremely rough estates. Northampton School had a reputation of bullies as well. I know someone who had to get her daughter out of school and into somewhere private because of it! I don't mean to be a downer but just being realistic.

justthewayitis0 · 04/12/2018 08:34

In other words, Northampton is a shit hole. I would never go there again.

Topsyloulou · 04/12/2018 08:43

If you want to be nearer to Corby how about Stamford & surrounding area? It's only 15 miles from Corby & always comes out as one of the best areas to live. Peterborough station is 25 minute drive with trains to London only taking 45 minutes. There are some excellent schools, both state & private, in the area including grammar schools. Stamford itself is expensive but if you head slightly further out to the villages you get much better value.

Waitingfordolly · 04/12/2018 08:56

Or just over Northamptonshire border into Leicestershire, Market Harborough is not far from Corby and is a lovely town with an outstanding 11-16 school.

Beebumble2 · 04/12/2018 09:21

I’d second Market Harborough, lovely old market town. Direct train to London, outstanding school Welland Park.
A mixture of old and new housing all close to the town centre.
I’ve recently had to visit Northampton on several occasions, the town centre I’d a bit depressed.

Waitingfordolly · 04/12/2018 09:38

Although to be fair to Northampton there does seem to be quite a lot of community and art stuff going on in the town, and nice country parks across the county.

BusterTheBulldog · 04/12/2018 10:39

If your partner is from Corby, I would bin Northampton off and move to Stamford! It’s lovely there.

Corby is having a load of investment at the mo too so may also be worth a look? Good train links to London from there too.

Pigletthedog · 04/12/2018 10:45

Yeah I wouldn't go for Northampton op. There are many much nicer areas close by though. Oakham/Uppingham both are nice and Uppingham is a reasonable independent school I think. Stamford is lovely. Market harbourough is nice enough. Olney is gorgeous but v expensive.

Corby itself has had considerable regeneration over the last few years and they actually had a big push to get people to move there from London. It's not too bad actually and I'd rather live there than Northampton! But take a few trips up and look around, get the feel for places and see what suits your family b

stilllearnin · 04/12/2018 10:54

The community and arts stuff is great! We do it out of sheer desperation!! Grin

Purplelion · 04/12/2018 11:52

I’ve recently moved just outside Northampton, after living in Northampton for 30 years. It’s a dive. The schools aren’t great, if you live in WF/Abington your options are Northampton Academy and Weston Favell, I wouldn’t send my daughter to either of those schools! ( I work in a Northampton school)
We now live 20 minutes outside of Northampton and it’s wonderful! Near enough to go to town if needed but far enough away to avoid the traffic!
Personally I would never go back to live there

TidyDancer · 04/12/2018 12:05

I know someone who has moved to Wellingborough from Hertfordshire in the last couple of years. He regrets the move massively but his girlfriend is from the Northampton area and she's just had their DD (they already had an older DS) and wants to stay put as she still has family in the area. He commutes every day into central London and is finding the extra distance difficult. Neither of them really like Northampton itself for the reasons already listed on the thread.

I think based on their experience it's not a move I would make unless a) you're both on the same page about it and b) you are totally happy with your chosen location. It is causing major resentment in the above relationship.

NoSpend19 · 04/12/2018 12:12

Also from that area. Rather a contrast in this thread - rubbing shoulders with the super wealthy in the Bramptons through to the opposite extreme in WF...

OP if you are not tied to any particular part of Northamptonshire you should be looking at the pretty villages.

bookmum08 · 04/12/2018 12:23

It's a fairly random choice as you don't have links with the town (other than Corby). I would write a list of all you want out of an town....
Public transport
Public swimming pools
Sports centre
Cinema
Favourite retailers
Parks
Art centres
Pubs
Football team
Local Dungeons and Dragons group
Activie Bird Spotter groups
Or whatever you want from life obviously...
Then I would spend a week (or even two) there and see if the towns facilities any local groups and events are what you want for your family's life.

stacylou · 04/12/2018 12:37

I live about 5 minutes from Edgemont Road and it is definitely not a deprived area of a Northampton. It is probably one of the more affluent areas of town and is a lovely place to live. We have amazing neighbours and there is a lovely community feel.
Northampton town centre is awful, but there are plenty of other places to shop. Rushden lakes is a 15 minutes drive and Milton Keynes is just down the motorway. The Weston Favell centre is fine for a local shopping centre and they have lots of free activities for children during the school holidays.
Secondary schools, your nearest is Weston Favell, which doesn't have a great reputation , but is improving and the parents I know with children there, are all happy with it.
The Boys School has an excellent reputation, but there is a lot of competition for places.
I have also heard good things about Northampton Academy (which should be in catchment for you).

Missstak · 04/12/2018 12:52

Have a look at the area around Edgemont Road on Google earth/street view...you will get an idea of the type area it is from that. Weston Favell village is a completely different area to the Eastern District estates (Lings, Bellinge etc) that people also consider Weston Favell.

chopsypombears · 04/12/2018 14:05

As much of a dive as the place now is, this thread is making me nostalgic for the places of my youth. I moved so many times as a kid I've lived everywhere... East Hunsbury, just off the Welly Road, Thorplands, Lumbertubs, and Weston Favell Village/Favell Green.

One draw of Weston Favell village is that it is walkable to Abington Park, which was probably the absolute highlight of my childhood. if the playground, the ice cream vans, the local history museum and the bandstand cafe are still there, it's actually a pretty amazing place for kids.

the annual balloon festival is also pretty good.

But really, there isn't much else going for the town these days.

*Do not - i repeat, do not - go to either of these places if you can help it. Rough as a bear's arse.

CatherineofTaragon · 04/12/2018 17:53

We moved to Northants from
London 8 yrs ago. To one of the many 'lovely villages'! Biggest mistake of our lives. The county is a dump, is bankrupt and unless you have lived here for 1000yrs you're and outsider so don't expect to make any friends. If you enjoy putting yourself out there repeatedly, for very little back, like being alone all the time, don't enjoy the company of others and enjoy receiving no help from anyone ever,in times of crisis ,then this in the place for you! Currently selling up..to move back to London. After that, will never set foot in this hole again!