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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think there are areas in South Wales we should avoid?

165 replies

Vexed80 · 15/09/2019 15:15

Not really an AIBU but wasn't sure where else to post and could do with the traffic. I currently live in the North of England with my DH and 4 kids (eldest two in their 20s). I have been offered the potential of a promotion that will mean a huge wage increase but it means a move to South Wales. I don't really know the area at all but looking at sites like Zoopla and Rightmove, it looks like property is pretty cheap (in comparison to where we are). Starting to panic that it's because the areas are not great? Can anyone give me advice on any areas I should avoid or am I just being ridiculous?? TIA!!

OP posts:
PoppingOneOutIn2020 · 15/09/2019 15:18

Where abiurs roughly have you been looking to move OP?

I work in South Wales and see a lot of people come from far and wide so I've gotten to know various nice, and not so nice places to live..

SemperIdem · 15/09/2019 15:19

Depends where exactly you’re looking to move to, you need to narrow it down a bit for useful advice.

howu2 · 15/09/2019 15:20

Where's the job based sw covers a huge area.

caroloro · 15/09/2019 15:20

Some of the areas are not great at all, same as anywhere. However "South Wales" is HUUUUGE as an area (it's really wide, unlike northern England) so if you could give a bit more detail that would be great.

Some places are cheaper because they're a bit ropey (e.g. merthyr, cwm, ammanford, parts of Swansea, parts of Newport) and some are cheaper because they are so bloody far from everything!

Whereabouts are you looking!

Original poster
Vexed80 · 15/09/2019 15:27

Not trying to be difficult but I could potentially be based in any part of South Wales based on the needs of who I work for. They have also said that I can nominate a preference of area, so really I'm just aiming to find somewhere nice at the moment. I currently travel an hour each way for work so I'm not worried about having to travel in. We've looked at lots of houses on websites but not physically been yet. Looked at Tonypandy, Aberdare, Treharris, Mountain Ash, Kidwelly...to name just a few!!

OP posts:
PoppingOneOutIn2020 · 15/09/2019 15:28

Could it be be more south east? Monmouthshire is a lovely part of the country.

Murinae · 15/09/2019 15:31

Well the areas you have been looking in are not the best and are probably at the cheaper end of the market!

DontForgetToDeadhead · 15/09/2019 15:32

I think in general it's cheap because there aren't many jobs around there. If you have a job lined up then it's all good

Murinae · 15/09/2019 15:32

If you want expensive “naive” areas look at Cowbridge, Cardiff Whitchurch, Roath, Cyncoed. What do you want for what budget?

DontForgetToDeadhead · 15/09/2019 15:32

(well, maybe not all good, I'm sure there are some dodgy areas, but mostly the price reflects unemployment rates)

IsobelRae23 · 15/09/2019 15:32

Monmouthshire is lovely but more pricey

I wouldn’t buy/rent in any of the areas you’ve mentioned. I live in South Wales and have worked all over the area.

Murinae · 15/09/2019 15:33

That’s supposed to be nice not naive!!

Holly147 · 15/09/2019 15:34

The places you've mentioned are some of the more deprived areas. In my opinion furthest east (so Monmouthshire as PP suggested) and west (e.g. Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire) are generally the nicest areas, rather than the valleys in the middle, although obviously there are exceptions! Also parts of Cardiff are very nice.

Do you want to live in a city, a town or more rurally?

Murinae · 15/09/2019 15:37

As far as Aberdare is ok up into the Valleys but I wouldn’t go any further north than that.

BikeRunSki · 15/09/2019 15:37

Penarth is nice. Coastal South Wales, east of about Bridgend is less “post industrial run down” than the valleys, and the coast around Neath-Swansea-Bury Port. Monmouthshire is “naice”. Brecon and Crickhowell are not bad.

BikeRunSki · 15/09/2019 15:38

As far as Aberdare is ok up into the Valleys but I wouldn’t go any further north than that.

Good summary

Guavaf1sh · 15/09/2019 15:39

Closer to the sea is best

Infamy · 15/09/2019 15:40

Parts of Swansea- uplands, Sketty, killay, mumbles, west cross etc are lovely. If you’d prefer more rural there is Crickhowell, Brecon, Llandeilo, Abergavenny, Monmouth and Surronds. Parts of Cardiff and Vale Of Glamorgan. Avoid Merthyr, Swansea valley, Neath. I love it here!

PoppingOneOutIn2020 · 15/09/2019 15:41

@bluerunski can you please tell me what the term 'Naice' means?

I've just googled it and had a giggle but I'm not exactly sure that's what you mean? Blush

To think there are areas in South Wales we should avoid?
Original poster
Vexed80 · 15/09/2019 15:41

If it was just me I'd be looking for something quite rural and remote but I don't think my kids would thank me for it 😂 Ideally we would like 4 beds and a garden and we have a budget of about £250,000, although we could stretch to a bit more. Main thing for me is that there are nice schools for my youngest two x

OP posts:
Murinae · 15/09/2019 15:42

Definitely not Mountain Ash, Tonypandy or Treharris. Aberdare is ok but not great

BananaPlant · 15/09/2019 15:42

Monmouth is lovely, or Abergavenny is ok. I wouldn’t go near Merthyr. Newport’s a bit dodgy too.

Depending on how far you have to travel and which area of Wales you end up, the border on to Herefordshire is lovely. Also depends how rural you want to be.

TinklyLittleLaugh · 15/09/2019 15:44

Basically you need to stay out of the valleys, and I say that as a valley girl myself.

Somewhere in the Vale or on the coast is your best bet.

aussiechick01 · 15/09/2019 15:45

I second Murinae's suggestions. If you need to be near Cardiff you could also try Efail Isaf, Creigiau just north of the city , Penarth or Sully if you want to be by the beach. If heading Swansea way then The Mumbles and Langland Bay are your best choices. Monmouthshire is also lovely.

PoppingOneOutIn2020 · 15/09/2019 15:45

Monmouth again has some great schools, boarding, prep and public.