to ask you to tell me about Chester?

[Flutterflybutterby]

DH (not British, not white) has been offered a job in Chester and I was wondering if this is a nice place for a mixed-race family to live? I have heard some horror stories about certain parts of the UK having bigger problems with racism/tensions world, and as a bit of a worrier I just wanted to ask Mumsnet whether Chester was one of these places?

Also, is it a nice place to live? Any helpful information you could share about any aspect of life there? (It's a short term role with a potential to stay longer, so would be renting at first and seeing how it goes)

Many thanks!

Chester is a great place to live with children. We’re very lucky that there is tonnes to do around here.

It’s generally a lot more friendly than London (I know that sounds clichéd but it is my perception)

It isn’t as multicultural as the bigger cities but my ex-DH and DC who are mixed race haven’t encountered any problems. Neither has my good friend who is from a different ethnic minority.

I love Chester . I’m northern , currently living just outside of Manchester but we have considered a move to Chester . Plus it’s got a zoo

Oohh sounds lovely so far! Thank you for the replies!

We live on the Wirral about 25 mins north of Chester and love it. The area is affordable (Not so sure about actual chester but there will be more expensive and cheaper areas like anywhere) Chester has a nice city centre with lots of history and shops, a university, good schools and good access to north Wales if you like climbing/hiking and also train access to Liverpool for another big city if you like that. Chester zoo is a big fave here! We also love cheshire oaks shopping outlet for a bargain and lots of good restaurants too. Hope that helps! Is there a specific area you wanted to know about?

Im from Chester and wish I could move back. Its a beautiful city.

I used to live on the Wirral - yes it’s waaaay better than chester 💪

Beaches
Much cheaper than Chester
Less traffic - although tractors are an issue 😂. Ditto horses and cyclists.

kind of tucked out of the way but you don’t feel like you’re in the sticks cos Liverpool and Chester are so close.

Everyone is friendly if a bit parochial and schools are absolutely great, hands down 🙌

Do miss it.

The sort of place where you get tourists on open-topped buses being shown the historic sights of what is a fairly beautiful town.

I work in Chester. Its a fab little city. Very compact. Serious history. Great shops and restaurants etc. Its less diverse than Manchester or Liverpool but still quite cosmopolitan for a small place.

It's a short journey to glorious scenery in Cheshire and Shropshire and north Wales with its national park and beaches is on the doorstep

It is expensive to get decent property though and traffic can be crap. Also it's busy with tourists in season and when the races are held

Forgot to say you might have to get used to the sight of Roman centurions wandering around with classes of children in tow 😂

Chester is a good place to live, lots going on, good transport links, good schools, an attractive city in itself but with plenty of access to beaches, countryside etc.

Wouldn't call it hugely diverse but also think that would not be an issue.

Property is fairly expensive but obviously some areas more expensive than others.

Personally I find the Wirral rather old-fashioned, OK to visit, wouldn't want to live there myself.

I've just got home from shopping in Chester. It's a lovely city, vibrant and cosmopolitan, with plenty to do within a day trip's distance to please families with all sorts of interests.

@Greenbather

Chester is a good place to live, lots going on, good transport links, good schools, an attractive city in itself but with plenty of access to beaches, countryside etc.

Wouldn't call it hugely diverse but also think that would not be an issue.

Property is fairly expensive but obviously some areas more expensive than others.

Personally I find the Wirral rather old-fashioned, OK to visit, wouldn't want to live there myself.

It is really old fashioned, I agree. I started going mad after a few years but it was lovely loving somewhere quiet after London

Chester is a very nice place to live, but multicultural it isn’t. It’s quaint, gets a fair number of tourists although it’s never going to be the city of York it would love to be. No issues or troubles that I’m aware of - generally regarded as a pleasant, safe place to live and you’re in a lovely spot for beautiful countryside and nipping over to North Wales (if that’s your bag 😄)

It's not very multicultural, but that's not to say there are any more racial problems there than anywhere else.
It's a very compact city and surrounded by lots of other nice areas too.

I used to live in Chester and think it's a great little city, beautiful old black and white architecture in the city and an excellent theatre/library/arts centre called Storyhouse. Re diversity - Chester is home of The Unity Centre which is a multicultural community centre with lots of different groups from all over the world. They also support refugees and asylum seekers it's a great place!

Dd went to school and college in Chester & Dh works there.

Before I read your post my initial thoughts from your title were that it is a beautiful city, lots of art and culture but it’s very white. A mixed race friend of DD’s used to play spot the black person in the town centre (she moved there from a more diverse town) but as far as we know she never suffered any racism (she’s quite an activist and vocal so I guess we’d know if she had).

I think on the whole it is a very tolerant, accepting place and I love Storyhouse.

Chester's a really nice city and Storyhouse is great. Good train links to London and Midlands, and road links to Manchester, Liverpool and North Wales.

It is very white though - or at least was a decade ago. DNieces grew up there and when they were tiny and used to be fascinated when visiting family who lived in more multicultural places.

I think it's quite a nice, safe place for children and teens to live in.