Somerset

[UKrider]

My husband has been working hard for a degree in a practical/career subject and just finished. It’s a career change for him. He’s now been offered a job with good perks and good scope to ramp up his career in his chosen field.

The job is a couple of hundred miles away in Somerset/likely Yeovil or yeovilton area.

I am currently job hunting after losing a much loved job just before our baby was born. Looking for flexi type job in public sector or 3rd sector as that was my area before. Now it seems we are on the move so I’ll be looking in the autumn in the Somerset area.

I’d love to hear from Somerset folk who can suggest cheap areas for housing within communing distance of yeovilton area. We are having to go cheaper as it’ll just be one salary and our decent deposit for now so around 130/140k for a 2 bed. It won’t be our forever home, just for a couple of years. All help needed as you can imagine!

Also any good, kind, cuddly nurseries for toddlers and older children to look out for - preferably montisorri or based around this style.

I’d also love to hear from anyone who’s moved away from friends and set up in a new location. How did it go? Any helpful hints for making the move and settling in?

It seems quite an exciting and also sad prospect all at once so hearing from other mumsnetters would be hugely reassuring.

I don't like Street though. I find all the grey stone depressing. That said, good playground and shops in Clarks.

Thanks reefedsail - are you permitted here to name the awesome one? We are a little young for school yet but good to know!
I’ve checked out the and looks good - will need to bear that in mind when looking at commutes/homes etc.

We love some of the villages like Sherborne but we know they are a no-go on our budget. It’s in our minds though for a couple of years.

And we will avoid Chard

Yahbasic - we are in the same boat then. Wanna become friends?! We can keep in touch with each other’s progress.

Thanks everyone - adding more to our list to look at.

reedsfail - meant to say I’ve checked out the montisorri

Thanks tidypidy - I’m hoping the little one will help with the making friends thing. It’s a bit of a strange time but I’m keen to make the most of our little adventure. I’ve made some of my best friends through a great mums group. I’m hopeful and your post has encouraged me. Thank you.

Here. I have cause to be biased!!

Just make sure you avoid parts of the westfield estate and several streets on the east side and Yeovil is a perfectly nice place to live. I really don’t know why it gets a bad rep.

It’s also pretty well situated. It’s an hour from Bristol, an hour from Exeter, 40 mins to the beach, 2 hours to Cornwall and about 2.5 to London.

There are plenty of pretty villages around, but having lived in one of them, I prefer the convenience of being in town.

If you think Sherborne is a village your going to get a shock.

If you think Sherborne will be cheap, the shock will be at least trebled!

Sherborne was the bright lights when I was a kid.
Well it had street lighting which was close enough.

I don't have any advice but i am a bit jealous. My grandparents lived in Wookey when i was a kid and i spent all my summer holidays there - it was all kinds of beautiful.

Crewkerne has a lot going for it (station, Waitrose & Lidl, sports facilities and a burgeoning arty-crafty vibe) however think about where you would park and routes out of the town to work as traffic can get snarled up due to the one-way system and parking on narrow streets.

Sherborne is most definitely not a village!
Personally I wouldn’t live there, have worked in the area and find it can be ferociously snobby.
Mind, I wouldn’t fancy Yeovil either.
Crewkerne is nice, I’d live in Wincanton too (twinned with Ankh-Morpork for Pratchett fans!)

"I wouldn't let Glastonbury festival put you off living in Street, it's only one weekend every other year."

It's gridlock Tuesday to Monday four years out of five so a bit more than suggested! Not just Street/Glastonbury but anywhere on the A37/A39 for approx 15 miles around. That being said if the festival is your bag look at Pilton, Pylle and East Pennard as you get free residents tickets to compensate.

I’ve pooped back to read even more advice from you all so thank you - we are going to be touring the area soon to try to get a hang of housing options and commute distances etc. My notes from all of your replies are coming with us!

Shepton Mallet is pretty cheap. Doesn't deserve the reputation it has.

I just came here to say the same as darkriver. I moved to Shepton 6 years ago and it’s great. It’s close to trendy Frome without the high house prices and it’s easy to get to Yeovil & Bath. I might be biased but I think its a really lovely town

@whatsetshortfor. When people found out I was moving to hillmead people tried scare me off. But, I found it a lovely town. Everyone says hello to everyone and the closet I have had to problems is kids ransacking the alleyway near my flats.

@darkriver19886 Not hillmead?! 😮😉