AIBU- really worried about moving to Northampton

[up1978]

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.

@bookmum08 pls do. It's a very vibrant , encompassing welcoming cosmopolitan space. Plenty to to do and see and you will be made very welcome. I recommend the jazz festival in Walpole Park. Enjoy your visit.

Market Harborough has been mentioned (lived in a village on the outskirts a few years ago) rail links to London are very good and its a nice market town. Lots of nice villages between Harborough and Uppingham/ Oakham if you are looking at commutable as well as being able to consider good schools.

Like others have said, go for a neighbouring village. Stony is lovely. I grew up in Northampton, went through my education there, and I would not recommend putting your children through that. I absolutely hate having to return for christmas etc. The high street is a ghost town. One bus an hour around the area my family lives. People keep saying how good the transport links are... if the best thing going for a place is how quickly you can leave it that is a red flag!

I come from Northampton and grew up in a beautiful village. I don't live there now and I struggle to think of anyone I went to school with who still does. Mainly for all the reasons people have given.

The town itself is a bit gloomy and run down but there are lots of lovely villages around.

I moved from one of the friendliest areas of the country (the North East) to Northampton and have never found any problem being seen as an outsider, most people are friendly and welcoming.

The Edgmont Rd bit of Northampton is a particularly nice part of Northampton, but as others have said it is bounded by some not nice areas at all.

Perhaps put up your requirements and budget and us locals could suggest nice areas that would fit.

Requirements are just decent area good schools if possible otherwise commutable to private schools and we have a budget of £800k. Looking for a 4 bedroom house. We both drive and can drop kids to and fro school. Any suggestions appreciated

I’d be looking at Overstone, Pitsford, Holcot, parts of Moulton, or the Bramptons for that kind of budget. That is towards the north for Pitsford School. Quinton House school is towards the west but I really don’t know housing in that area.

Urgh Jazz Catherine! Sooooo hate Jazz. But I do like exploring bits of London I don't know so I am sure I will get there.

If you were towards the east of that area you’re not too far from Wellingborough school either

Given your budget, I’d seriously considering finding the decent independent schools in the surrounding area, and choosing a house near one of those. Maybe have a look around Bedford (5 indies: BMS, Bedford School, Bedford Girls’ School, Rushmoor, St Andrew’s) or the area around Kimbolton.

Requirements are just decent area good schools if possible otherwise commutable to private schools and we have a budget of £800k. Looking for a 4 bedroom house. We both drive and can drop kids to and fro school. Any suggestions appreciated

If you are literally open to anywhere outside of London then I would move to Bath in a heartbeat! Has everything on your list!

Beautiful city, fantastic architecture, so much going on, theatre, cinema, festivals, markets, arts, sports. Beautiful parks, river/canal and surrounded by countryside. University town and very cosmopolitan feel with all the tourists. Great schools and tons of private schools. 800k would get you a 4 bed house in a nice area.

Lived there several times over the years and would move back in a heartbeat if it wasn’t so close to some toxic family members that we need to keep the DC away from, breaks my heart if I’m honest

Oh and there are tons of Londoners in bath... something like 20% of house sales are to Londoners. Think it’s about 1.5 hours on the train direct line to Paddington, also not to far from Devon and Cornwall for holidays by the sea

I live in Northampton if there is anything specific you want to know

With that budget you could look at Oundle. It is not far from Peterborough, with good train links to London. There are private schools in Peterborough, and Oundle school is very good.
Oundle is a small town and there is a lot going on and there are lots of attractive villages nearby. (It also has a small Waitrose ).

I am really baffled by why you’re looking at the areas you are when you have a great budget and can both work from home. You’re in a completely unusual situation in that most people are tied to specific locations due to jobs. You could move anywhere and have a lovey life based on the things that are really important to you re location and facilities.

As we have friends and family in Northants. Friends mostly in Wellingborough, few in Kettering one in market harbro. Plus money goes a long long way in some of the areas we have been looking at. Currently Moulton, Collingtree, milton malsor and weston favell/Abington. The schools may not be great but then we thought they could go private and we would want to be an hour commute from London as most our family and friends are here. We also need to look at if DH needs to look for another job due to whatever reason he is close enough to commute in on a daily basis.

Not Northampton, and I work there. Go for one of the villages. Look for ones in the moulton/ Wollaston catchment areas. Grendon is lovely. Or if you'll go private there's a good few private schools around. Stay away from rushden and Weston favell

I think people are reading weston favell and thinking of the shopping centre. Weston Favell village is a nice part

With that budget, Stony Stratford. It’s in MK but right on the edge, has a great village vibe and it’s a lovely, historical place. 25 mins or so from Northampton. Haven’t had a chance to read the whole thread, perhaps you’ve addressed this option already..

@up1978 I live in Moulton and commute to London most days (from Wellingborough). There are lots of us doing exactly that in this area. I'm also and "incomer" but have been here for 14 years. It took a while to find my feet but we're all very happy here.

My kids go/went to private secondaries. Happy to PM if you want more info.

Why Northampton? If you both work from home it seems an odd choice.

As to Worcester as an alternative - that is so random I can't even get my head round it

There are some nice places between Northampton and Leamington Spa but they are pricey even compared to London (as is LS and Warwick area) but the schooling is great over this way. I would explore other options if i were you and actually visit the place for a few days etc to get a better feel.

Oh and trains from LS are both Virgin and Chiltern into London at a smidge over an hr/an hr with Chiltern the slightly slower but v reliable service one of the best in the country for timekeeping etc - into Marylebone on that line we don't even use the other from Coventry through Leam into London. With 800K should get you a lovely place on any area mentioned

Towcester and surrounding villages are very nice. My husband grew up around there and it’s idyllic. I’m not even from Northamptonshire but it really annoys me when the whole (often beautiful) county gets blasted as a consequence of there being a few crap towns. We would quite happily have moved there if jobs hadn’t led us elsewhere.