AIBU- really worried about moving to Northampton

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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.

RB68 the OP has said she wants that area because she has friends and family there.
It's funny because when I was a kid (80s)Leamington Spa was considered a manky dive not the middle class utopia it seems to be now (that's a light hearted comment)

The Brampton's or Clipston and surrounding villages are beautiful. market Harborough is a lovely town and easy commute, go to Market Harborough for the weekend and explore some lovely villages on the Northamptonshire Leicestershire border. Area towards Rutland is beautiful too.

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

Me too re Worcester, I kept thinking but it's nowhere near Northampton!

With that budget you could live anywhere around there very comfortably OP.

Yes as well as Worcester there is Aberdeen, County Kerry and Anchorage.

Seriously though, if you have £800k you will have some good choice. For lifestyle I would go for north Northamptonshire, nn6 postcode. Lots of lovely villages around the a14 and touching into Leicestershire. Rugby station by is 50-55 mins to Euston and is easily accessible.

Crikey, if I had an 800k budget that is definitely not where I’d be looking to move to OP.

chopsypombears

How old are you? i grew up in that exact area! we probably went to the same school(s)

I think anyone thinking of moving to any of the villages of South Northamptonshire should think again and stay well away. Don't come here, you'd hate it.

keeps the prices down for us locals, and keeps our beautiful countryside reasonably clean and quiet for a just a little bit longer

Whilst the houses might be impressive for your budget remember it will feel like a guilded cage.

There is a reason why you get a lot for your money.

If you have friends in the local area you are currently in then I would move slightly out to get a bit more space. Eg Amersham or Chesham areas.

I wouldn’t move to a completely different area just because family are there.

And I am wary of friends who are overly encouraging about you moving to their area.

If the area was so great I always think they would like you visiting but have a full life
without you being in the immediate vicinity and either this is the case in which case you wouldn’t see them any more than you do at the moment and if it isn’t the case then I suspect they have made a mistake so want you to join them in their error.

Or I might be being cynical.

Oliversmumsarmy what makes you think the OP wouldn't see her family and friends more if she moved. If she is like me it takes 3 hours from South London to almost the top of Northamptonshire by public transport and costs a lot of money. So we get to go about 4 times a year. It's a lot easier to make a "want to meet for coffee" or we will do a bbq Saturday if the weather is good" plans if you are only a few miles away from each other. I don't know the OP or her friends and family but that's is usually what family and friendships are about.

Sorry to jump in for some advice but can anyone tell me what living in the area of Great Houghton would be like for teenagers?

My parents are in this village and I could possibly move up there once my son finishes his GCSE's but I'm worried about what there is to do up there for them. He would be looking for a good college or 6th form possibly an apprenticeship.

My daughter would of just finished year 7 I'm not sure what the high schools would be like? And just general things they can do. I'm worried being in a village on the outskirts of northants that they might go into the town centre to socialise with friends but obvs it doesn't have a good reputation?
I currently live in west London which isn't great.

Think Great Houghton feeds into Woolaston secondary school. Have heard it's a good school but not sure on how over subscribed.

Is Towcester pronounced toaster?

For that budget I'd steer well clear of Northampton and look at the surrounding villages. Schools generally are not great and not much choice if you go private - Wellingborough School probably the closest or High School for girls. NSB (Boys) is essentially a grammar school in a non grammar area and is oversubscribed 20 times over. Easier commute to London from Kettering or Wellingborough

@MorrisZapp yes it is

With that sort of Budget, I'd aim for the Hunsbury side, rather than Abington Vale ( which where Edgemont Road is)

Have you considered an area called Collingtree Park? You'd be in The Caroline Chisholm school catchment- Good school, or the brand new Academy on Mereway, Or Roade schools
The Village school in Collingtree village, as well as the Hunsbury schools are all well regarded

Easy access to Motorway should you need it, Local amenities - 24 hour Tesco, Waitrose 5 mins away, sports centre, Libriary and well served by bus routes.

My husband is from northampton , supposedly one of the more rough areas, but it is pretty tame compared to the big city we live in now

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-57632793.html

Born and bred in Numptyton - I've just had to google Edgemont Road... It's not such a bad area, you're not quite in the Eastern District! Although a bit chavvy, I actually prefer the Weston Favell Centre to the town centre now and if you drive you're in the right place to go further afield to Rushden Lakes.
DO NOT put your children in Weston Favell Academy or the Northampton Academy. The International Academy may look okay, but it's our old post sorting office located on a busy main road in not a great area and would be 2 bus rides to get to. I think you may struggle to get into NSB.

We are a bankrupt town, with the town centre going downhill rapidly and no money being put back in, whereas Corby has had a lot of regeneration and money put in to it.
I would look a bit further afield, Market Harborough is lovely, or maybe Oxfordshire border like Banbury.

I guess there is good and bad in all areas, but personally, I would not want to move back to the NN3 postcode and Edgemont Rd isn't really in walking distance of anywhere, at least I was only a 5 minute walk from Abington Park.

Didn't see the 800K budget - if that's true, then god no don't move to Edgemont Road!!!

Currently Moulton, Collingtree, milton malsor and weston favell/Abington

Weston Favell/Abington doesn't even come close to the others mentioned - although you could perhaps get a large lovely house very close to Abington Park - they are VERY nice. Then you'd be more central for everything. You are out on the eastern side surrounded by rough estates out in NN3.

I'm in North Northants, our neighbours moved here from London 2 years ago, I'm sure if you asked them they would tell you that we are friendly, welcoming and not rude like some people have suggested that all those born here are like, it's pretty rude to be saying that everyone in Northamptonshire are the same as those you have met as we are not all like that at all.

My son's at NSB, it's a great school. One of my teams son is at the new international school and liking it very much.

There are areas that are a bit run down but there is still investment happening in town and around it. The new university campus is great.

Shopping is not brilliant but Milton Keynes is near by if you need something special.

Abington is quite nice. The park is very nice, but don't go there alone at night. If you look at villages you could find something nice with a local community.

@Mrsoh39 Unfortunately we cannot ask them and pls don't presume to speak on their behalf..Your perception and their reality may be 2 diff things.