Why is property around Malvern so cheap?

[Lobas]

I obviously understand the concept of supply and demand. But it’s in a fairly central position within reach of a big city. I guess it’s quite cut off too? Transport wise.

Dh and I have decided to leave our very, uninspiring life in the SE and move to the Malvern Hills. DH is a pilot and will start working for an airline that flies out of Birmingham.

The houses we can afford around Malvern are literal mansions. We’ve found nice schools. The house we’ve got our eye on is literally double the size of our ugly new build. It looks straight out of Home and Country.

We’ve looked at a lot of areas and a lot of places have poor transport links but are much much more expensive. Just curous

Dw is from Malvern. There are some lovely victorian villa houses there. Thing is DW couldn't wait to leave at 18. I like it, but I'm 54..

Yes, you'll find that. Malvern is really a collection of ' villages' - including Malvern link, barnards green, Malvern wells, great Malvern etc. Depending on which ' village ' you decide to live in, this will be reflected in the price. Have you actually visited? You'll soon understand why each bit is priced accordingly.

Yes, I spent 3 weeks in various air bnbs getting to know the area over Summer. Dh joined us when he could

I certainly have my preferences

DH is from that area. It is not a place I would choose to live. Need a car to get anywhere and nothing much going on.
If you have children (you mention schools) you will need to be their taxi driver as I don't think the public transport is always that reliable (in laws sometimes get the bus places, but only if they aren't going to an appointment or anything where they must be on time). As you kids get older it will be Worcester they will be wanting to go to as more going on.

SE prices are absolutely insanely high in comparison to big chunks of the UK. You could literally get a mansion where I live for the price of a semi in some bits of London. I really love living in the country, though it's not for everyone. Good luck OP! What an adventure!

It's good that you've actually looked around for yourself. When people talk about moving to Malvern they often get carried away with the beauty of the hills ( which are stunning) without having a clearer understanding of the wider area and how they all interconnect. Malvern link for example, has some beautiful Victorian piles, but is also surrounded by a huge council estate. Not that there's anything wrong with that of course, but you need to be aware of some of the problems this can create in living there. It's not all chic independent boutiques and boarding schools iyswim. Residents in each ' village' live very different lives and there's not an awful lot of integration.

I have to say I disagree with this. Malvern has 2 train stations and an hourly bus service to Worcester which runs until 10pm. So quite good for public transport on the whole!

Depending on where you live though you have to get to the bus stop/train station.

That bit of the M5 and the M42 to get to Bham airport - shudders. That's why.

It is lovely but I don't think I could live there. It is hard to access the motorway and traffic builds up. Living in the shadow of the hill can feel claustrophobic and it feels dank at times too. I also don't like that when you walk around the town you are on a slant so feel lopsided Worcester is a better bet and it's only 10 mins on the train to Malvern for the theatre and hills etc.

Drugs

Has DH tried the commute to Birmingham airport? The M42 is notoriously awful.

It’s fairly remote and it might just be that house prices in the SE would make lots of places look very reasonable.

I have a friend that moved there and DPs dad lives nearby there too. Its a nice part of the world. Its a bit backwatery for young people though so expect that they will possibly move to another part of the country when they get old enough. I am from south east london suburbs and the majority of people stay in the area their whole lives as its good for work and london is on tour doorstep. But not everyone some move to Malvern :)

I went to boarding school in Malvern from age 11. Hate the place

Travelling from Malvern to Birmingham airport will be hell unless he is travelling in the earlier hours?

It's dull as ditch water. Hence the drugs and feral youths