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

[Vexed80]

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!!

The places you mentioned would all fall under "cheaper because they're a bit ropey", but all do have a lot of heart and community spirit. I wouldn't voluntarily live in any of those places, though. The places you mention all also have fairly rubbish transport links.

Most of Monmouthshire is lovely, although there are small pockets of "ropey". There's some excellent parts of Newport, Swansea and Cardiff. As people have said, furrhest east (Monmouthshire - largely affluent and good transport links) and furthest west (beautiful) tend to be "naicer". I'd also add in that, on rhe whole, the further north from the M4, the less "naice", although there are significant exceptions, and it doesn't follow that the further south you are the nicer it is.

Maybe those of us who live here could suggest places if you tell us what's important to you.... transport links, public transport, schools (public/private), closeness to amenities, city, town, village, rural, availability of cultural events, etc?

Parts of the valleys can be disgustingly anti English too.

Have you thought about the Risca/Rogerstone area? Good schools, near to motorway/railway, not too far from anywhere and good house prices.

Should have added close to Newport and CARDIFF but in the middle of lovely countryside for walks etc.

I live in the Vale of Glamorgan and it is beautiful. 250.000 for a 4 bed can be a big ask here though. Similarly Cardiff has lovely areas, but they are pricey.
As others have said, nearer the coast tends to be nicest and the further away up the valleys tends to get progressively more deprived.
South Wales is beautiful with fantastic geography wherever you live. You'll love it!

I've just seen your budget. You'll just about squeak an "in need of modernising" four bed ex council type property in Monmouth for that. So you need four bus, or want four beds? Three beds you'd have more choice. Similarly, I don't think that would get you far in the nicer parts of Cardiff, Swansea or Newport.

What age are your children? Would you be wanting good primaries ad well ad good secondary? What about access to activities and clubs, etc?

Most of the Vale of Glamorgan is decent and it's reflected in most of the house prices compared to other areas. You could lo9k at some of the Vale villages.
Cowbridg is nice although crap for public transport which you may want to think about if you have older kids or teens.
Barry has some naice and not so naice areas.
Further along the coast you have Bridgend. Some bits are surprisingly nice and better schools than some more expensive areas. A bit further along again you have Porthcawl which is going up in house prices again.

The Valleys are v cheap but some are a bit remote. I think you'd be wise to come down for a few days and scout out areas. See what and where you like the feel of then research schools and what's important to you.

I live in Merthyr so I always like to pop on this threads to defend the place. It's not as bad people think. Definitely better than tonypandy ffs! There are areas within the Merthyr valley you'd want to avoid though. Also 4 bed for 250k is going to rule out anywhere that 'naice'.

How old are the kids? Primary or secondary?

Monmouth, Crickhowell and Abergavenny are towns in south east Wales that have lots going on but are still fairly rural with lovely walks around them. Nothing in the way of nightclubs etc. though so may not appeal to teenagers. Also only Abergavenny has a train station and public transport tends to stop fairly early.

If you looked at the nicer areas of Cardiff you would struggle to get a 4-bed house within your budget. Caerphilly is a short distance from Cardiff and a lot cheaper, and seems to be popular with families.

People have said no to Merthyr and, granted, it’s been deprived but it’s a great location- easy commute to Swansea and Cardiff and right on the edge of the Beacons National Park. Close reach to other nicer towns too. £250k would go far. It’s been a while since I went to school there, and it was a good one- not sure what they’re like now.

Actually if I moved back I’d live in Porthcawl.

You can get four beds in abergavenny for that and its lovely. The schools are also good on the Western side of town . Crickhowell High is excellent. £250k will also get you a three bed house in Cardiff in some of the okay areas but high schools might be a bit difficult for that budget. If you can go to £300k you should get good catchments. £250k is a decent budget for some nice areas in South Wales. I would avoid the Valleys if you are English and stick to either the Vale of Glamorgan, Cardiff or Monmouthshire.

I live near tonypandy .vaule of my house is 180.000 , not in in run down area . and not cheap for the valleys .Very low crime rate here to .But i love cowbridge and ogmore .

I see a lot of people have mentioned Monmouth and Abergavenny. A few years ago I was fortunate enough to stay in a lovely town nearby called Usk, haven't seen anyone mention it yet. I think you would need an increased budget for a house though

I think with that budget I would second around Caerphilly/Blackwood area. Or around Tonteg/Church village/Llandwit Fadre/ Gwaelod y Garth areas..

I'd wait and see where is an easy route to workplace. The nice parts of Cardiff, Glamorgan and Monmouthshire will be hard on the budget. Look at Bassaleg, Llantrisant, Magor, Undy (semi rural). There are a lot of new builds in Barry which is on the up.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-64290357.html

How about this in Abergavenny?

Or this www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-61572084.html

Agree with Bassaleg, although Rogerstone is only a mile or two away and a lot cheaper. Bassaleg school (where I used to teach) pushes up prices a lot. Good luck, OP!

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-80200736.html

This is the kind of house you could get in a decent area with good schools for your budget in Cardiff

I live in Abergavenny and was born & bred in Crickhowell. The prices of property here are high .The valleys are much cheaper but honestly not very nice . I wouldn’t buy/rent in any of the areas you’ve mentioned either.
If l had to recommend a place then l would buy in Crickhowell , the schools are excellent and it has just won UK Best High street of 2019. It is beautiful there. Really beautiful , l am unashamedly biased

Or yes depending on where you’ll be working towns in the National Park are lovely- Brecon, Crickhowell etc. Not quite so close to entertainment if you have teenagers etc though

Agree with @AndNothingButTheTruth - Usk is lovely, and in the catchment for good secondary schools (and has lots of good pubs!). There are a few 4-bed houses for sale in the region of £275,000 - £295,000. It's a lot smaller than Abergavenny/Monmouth and about 20 mins by car from the nearest supermarket, so depends what facilities you're looking for.

We need 4 beds really. We're in a 3 bed now and we really struggle for space. We could sell our house for a reasonable profit but I don't want to be spending a fortune in mortgage hence the £250,000 budget. My school age children are both currently at primary but the eldest one will be starting high school next year. My older children are still at home and need their own rooms. Thank you all so much for your suggestions so far, certainly giving me lots to think about!!!

We work in Cardiff but ended up buying in Bridgend. Our house is a four bed detached with a garden and just within your budget. We're happy here, although I can't deny the town centre is a sad place (and there are some definite areas to avoid). It's a good base for commuting though.

Your money won't go far in Cardiff, although thornhill might be worth a look.

In an ideal world I'd move back to the gower. Again not sure you'd get anything suitable within your budget there though and it's a pain for commuting.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-84611297.html

A little over budget but it's a new build, 4 bed. Lots of 3 beds for your budget in the area.