Moving to wales

[hichar]

Hello.
I don’t think I’ve posted on the right bit but here I go..
i am looking to move my two children from Hertfordshire to wales. Can you tell me what parts are nice to live? We have explored areas but found it all a little overwhelming. We would like to move to offer the children a more outdoorsy life and I find being by the sea and nature so much better for my mental health.
has anyone made the move and found you settled ok? Did you find jobs ok etc?

Which part are you thinking in general e.g. north, south etc

We moved from the midlands to wales, but I was from wales originally. I worked from home pre pandemic and my husband got a job in the area before moving so it was fairly straightforward. Having said that we didn't move anywhere too rural (e.g. depths of snowdonia for example) in case either of us needed to get another job at any point, as we didnt want to have to travel miles for work (there is work in snowdonia, just not in our industries).

Also there is Draignet which is the welsh part of mumsnet (I'm pretty sure its called Draignet) so you could also post there as you might get more answers from people in/from wales?

DH & I relocated from SE to Cardiff 10 years ago. We love it. You can get to the beacons in 45 mins, you can get to the beach in 45 mins. Lots of lovely suburbs with a villagey feel. We are in Rhiwbina and it’s brilliant. Schools are amazing too.

Thanks for your replies.
my dad lives in pontarddulais but I’m thinking Swansea may be better for us with work but I know parts of Swansea aren’t great. Ideally would like my daughters to attend a good school as the one they are in atm is amazing.
We also did look at west wales but it’s hard to get a idea of the areas to avoid etc.
i just love the idea of having more nature on our doorstep, access to the coast etc and I always find the Welsh people so friendly when we are there.

Thank you. I will check that part of mums net out now

My parents live in Pontardulais as well, and I'm just down the road. I moved here from Cardiff (where I gre up). I like living here, we went down to the gower on the weekend, its great having so many beaches on our door step. I work in swansea and there are some lovely areas and some great schools. I much prefer living here to be honest, mainly for the beaches, plus Tenby, saundersfoot etc are only 45 min away. I also think you get more house for your money. I have more land down here for money.

Where did you move to from Cardiff please?
which areas do you like in Swansea please? With good schools. Sorry for all my questions.

we we’re at Tenby 2 weeks ago and my daughter just looked so free and had the best time

I moved to Swansea from England 20 years ago - I love it. Beautiful parks (Brynmill, Singleton, Cwmdonkin, Clyne Valley). Swansea Bay and Gower - so many beautiful beaches. Lots of water sports. Great coffee shops, some decent restaurants (great Turkish and Lebanese). LC2, new Arena and intended developments. We have great bands that play in the stadium, Singleton park and the arena. Independent cinemas ( Cinema and Co and Taliesn) and theatre.
2 decent universities and generally great schools.

Mumbles is very smart and expensive these days. Great cafes and restaurants, lovely shopping area with some nice clothes shops and independent bakery/butcher/grocer and fishmonger plus M and S food.

Downsides - yes there are rough areas but I think all cities have these. I won’t name areas because I have friends who live in all of the rough areas and love it. The areas tend to be typically white Welsh communities with generations of the same families so strong community spirit along with rough elements.

The town centre is rough and horrid with loads of empty shops. Redevelopment is planned but who knows how long. People shop in the out of town shopping areas - Fforestfach, Morfa etc. Or they go to Cardiff, by train or car.

West of Swansea is seen as the best but also most expensive. Uplands and Brynmill is vibrant, multi cultural, young, studenty. Issues with rubbish dumping, HMOs and sometimes anti social behaviour. It’s a bit marmite but I’ve lived there for 10 years and love it - great parks, cafes, access to beach and the vibrancy but it’s definitely marmite.

Mount Pleasant is cheaper than Uplands and borders it, very central. Mix of lovely with rough pockets. Most houses have amazing views.

Sketty, Derwen Fawr, Tycoch - quieter, lovely family areas.
West Cross and Mayals - leafy, quiet, upmarket- a bit cheaper than Mumbles but nearby so popular with those priced out of Mumbles.

Mumbles and Gower - highly regarded and expensive. Beautiful.

Cheaper but decent areas although I don’t know them well include Pentellegar, Gowerton, Treboeth, Llangyfelach, Brynhyfryd . May have some spellings wrong.

I wouldn’t leave now, it’s an amazing place to bring up a family. There are three indoor climbing places, stables, 2 trampoline parks, LC2 complex which has pool with slides and waves plus climbing wall, soft play, sports halls, gym and spa. Ninja warrior park plus a plethora of parks, beaches and water sports. Half an hour inland takes you to fabulous mountain walks.

Apologies for long waffle - I hope some of it is helpful!

Ok, schools - I only know those in Swansea West. Loads of great primaries. Secondaries are Bishop Gore, Olchfa and Bishopston and they are all rated Estyn excellent which is the equivalent of Ofsted outstanding. There are also Welsh medium schools. My children are in English medium but Welsh lessons are mandatory.

Dragnet is Scottish I think

Your children won’t be little forever. When they get older they need public transport and things to do. Bear this in mind and don’t move too rurally.

part of their curriculum time will be spent learning Welsh. Would you rather that than a modern European language?

what will you do for jobs, and if you want to progress your career can you do that there?

Draig means dragon in welsh

Thank you BobbieWaterbury you have given me lots of information to consider and areas to look at.
I’m in nursing and my partner is a HGV driver so I think we will be ok with jobs? What do you think?

yes that’s another good point, I don’t want to be too rural for the children either

@BobbieWaterbury can you point me to less urban areas? I want to move that direction, but don't want lots of neighbours! I've been in a new build for 20 years, and am sick of hearing everyone's coughs and lawn mowers!

I'm struggling to narrow down the areas to look, on rightmove.

There are lots of nursing opportunities- Morriston is the main hospital- big teaching hospital. Singleton is smaller - no A and E but still a number of wards. Obviously lots of community nursing too.
No idea about HGV.

Why are you asking strangers on MN if you will be OK for a job? Start looking for jobs BEFORE you move. Figure out where to live based around your new jobs.

Does you partner have a say in any of this?

Just want to point out that Welsh isn't instead of a modern European language - it's as well as. My lot have all done French and had the option of Spanish too. They've also had some mandarin lessons. When I was in school and Welsh was compulsory we could do French, German and/ or Spanish.

My point is that with finite time in school, if Welsh is compulsory then something else is being squeezed.

Gower but obviously expensive.
Swansea Valley is worth a look - Pontardawe is a semi rural small town with lots of country and villages around it. Also Neath Valley and Afan valley - the villages have much poverty and associated problems but you can live rurally comparatively cheaply. Upper Brynamman valley for example leads onto a mountain, it’s very beautiful.

I would also look at Carmarthenshire. Villages around Llanelli. The Towy Valley is beautiful. Small towns include Llandeilo and Llandovery. Loads of countryside around. Look at Gwynfe, Trap, Llangadog, Llandeusant, Mydfai, Llanwdra. Lots of others.

It’s more expensive than the Swansea valley area, but cheaper than the Gower and you can get a lot of your money. BJP is a fab estate agent based in Llandeilo - worth looking at there website and speaking to Jonathan there who is the font of all knowledge. I lived in that area for 4 years and loved it but in the end the city was more convenient for us.

@HermioneWeasley Languages beget languages in my experience. Mine can speak English, Welsh, French and a sprinkling of Spanish.

Really this is a non-issue.

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy … rude?

im asking about jobs to gather more of a understanding of the area. I have already looked at jobs but good to get a feel from other people that live there.

yes my partner is fully aware considering we’re in a partnership!!

Thanks Bobbie! also helpful!

I'm a nurse as well OP. Plenty of jobs, loads of jobs going with me if you want one 😀