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Original poster

Bath vs Nottingham

39 replies

Zba99 · 23/02/2023 07:54

Hi we are planning to relocate (with 2DS) to either Bath or Nottingham. In terms of school (both primary and secondary), living, career opportunities (business IT) which one would be better? Please do give some advice. Thanksss

OP posts:
NannyOggsWhiskyStash · 23/02/2023 08:14

Bath, definitely Bath. It's a lovely small city, Nottingham is quite rough in parts and definitely not the same opportunities.

redrobin75 · 23/02/2023 08:19

Try visiting each town centre on a Saturday night, they will be different experiences with Bath no doubt being the better experience.

Toddlerteaplease · 23/02/2023 08:36

I live in Nottingham, it's ok but not brilliant. Good for transport links. I found Bath a bit boring when I visited. The architecture is all the same. It's also much more hilly than Nottingham. I did like wells and Bristol though.

PritiPatelsMaker · 23/02/2023 14:34

I think if you do go to Nottingham the schools are better if you're not in Nottingham City so look at some of the places that have transport links to the city but better schools, like West Bridgford.

Whichwhatnow · 23/02/2023 14:42

I grew up in Bath and it's boring as feck. It's very attractive/scenic but that's about it. Very few opportunities for kids let alone teenagers. I escaped as soon as I could.

I've only been to Nottingham a couple of times but it struck me as really vibrant with a lot going on.

Have you considered Bristol? Easily commutable to Bath if you need to be there for work (and far more job opportunities if you don't have anything lined up in Bath). I'm a professional here (lawyer) and I love it - so much going on (gigs/theatre/fine dining/everything really) but it's small enough you can choose a quiet area and easily commute to the centre.

NellyBarney · 23/02/2023 18:26

There are so different. Are you looking at state or private school options? Bristol is probably a better choice than Bath for work options/transport links/things for families or teenagers to do. Bath is very touristy, difficult to walk out of (very small) centre (very steep). Nottingham less polished. So Bristol pretty much in the middle between Nottingham and Bath but superior work/transport links/schools - especially private.

Threewheeler1 · 23/02/2023 18:36

Spot on.
Am in Bath with 2 teenage ds and scratching the days off till we can leave...
Used to work in Bristol, it's got absolutely everything and the people are so friendly. Love it. Oldest ds is now at college there and hates coming home. They call Bath the 'graveyard of ambition' for a reason!
There is absolutely nothing for teenagers to do and not alot for an adult that enjoys a bit of varied culture. Exactly what Whichwhatnow said.

Original poster
Zba99 · 24/02/2023 06:12

Thanks all for your great inputs. To tell a lil bit more about the background, DS got the offers both in Bath and Nottingham and we are currently not in the country yet, so we can't really do the site visit of both places 🥲 If anyone knows more about the differences of state school and private schools in these areas?

OP posts:
PritiPatelsMaker · 24/02/2023 10:53

Zba99 · 24/02/2023 06:12

Thanks all for your great inputs. To tell a lil bit more about the background, DS got the offers both in Bath and Nottingham and we are currently not in the country yet, so we can't really do the site visit of both places 🥲 If anyone knows more about the differences of state school and private schools in these areas?

Offers at the Unis?

Original poster
Zba99 · 27/02/2023 03:34

No just the year 3 and 7 offers.

OP posts:
Mercurial123 · 27/02/2023 05:52

Agree with West Bridgford in Nottingham. That's why the house prices are higher as schools are good. I wouldn't want to live in Bath.

crimsonpeak · 27/02/2023 05:56

Bath is boring. Nottingham is a vibrant city with lots of opportunities.

Fuctifin0 · 27/02/2023 06:05

Nottingham.
Bath is great for a visit but Nottingham is a vibrant city with some lovely areas.
If you are actually living in Nottingham itself, there is The Park, which although pricey has some beatiful houses.
Also Mapperley Park, which is close to Nottingham High School and has great transport links.
West Bridgford used to not be great for commuting into the city, it might be better now with the tram system.

custardbear · 27/02/2023 06:08

I live in west bridgford with kids in junior and senior schools. It's a great town to live in and loads of amenities. Loads of sports too and schools are very good. I'd personally chose to live in catchment of west bridgford junior, Jesse Grey or Abbey road. Both senior schools are good (Rushcliffe and WBS) the religious schools I understand are good too.
Catchment is key though as schools are over subscribed anyway

LadyCurd · 27/02/2023 06:09

Bath does have excellent primary and secondary schools. I’m a teacher and when we moved I was impressed. There isn’t really a bad secondary school in Bath so you get spoiled for choice. It is quite boring here though and everyone knows everyone! We avoid town because of the tourists and the Christmas market is the worst. The traffic also can be terrible and nonsensical with bus lanes and one way loops of the city which to strangers are soooooo stressful to navigate

Crikeyalmighty · 27/02/2023 06:56

@Whichwhatnow I really dont get why you seem to insist that Bristol has these things and Bath doesn't. Have you been in recent years and done anything apart from a walk round the centre? I actually think Bath is a better place to live than visit as many of the really nice things aren't obvious- or always central. This weekend in Bath I've been to see Suzanne Vega, had brunch at the farm shop in Winsley and a lovely restaurant meal out at night and a couple of drinks at the beautiful arts cinema/bar - we have the best kids playground I've ever seen at Victoria park, a kids theatre , masses of sport stuff. I'm not quite sure what you think is going on in Bristol that can't be done elsewhere- we lived in Henleaze for a fair while- and I can honestly say I wouldn't ever pick Bristol with a young family. We had some friends move to Bristol too - within 18 months they were in Frome- it wasn't what they thought it was and they said the schools were pretty awful too.

WednesdaysPlaits · 27/02/2023 07:00

Zba99 · 27/02/2023 03:34

No just the year 3 and 7 offers.

For which school in Nottingham?

Crikeyalmighty · 27/02/2023 07:02

@Threewheeler1 well I have to disagree- I've lived in both- my son developed a bad weed habit though when we lived in Bristol amongst other things at 16 and some very unsavoury friends so I don't have good vibes about it if I'm honest- guess we are all different though-- and lots of it was a scruffy mess and shut down - I can see why teens like it- lots of hanging round castle park drinking - it was the worst thing we ever did with our son moving there. I guess though we are all different.

Crikeyalmighty · 27/02/2023 07:07

I'm also ironically from Nottingham. I like Nottingham and it's way cheaper- it is quite rough in some ways though - you can really compare though as Bath is 80,000 population - very white and quite middle class (although more mixed than you might think) Nottingham is 3 times the size- very multicultural and has a bit of an edge- west Bridgford is nice as is Edwalton, mapperley etc

WednesdaysPlaits · 27/02/2023 07:28

Unless the school offer is for private school you need to be incredibly careful about schools in Nottingham. West bridgford schools are good but generally require you to live in the catchment area and that is expensive.

Madcats · 27/02/2023 08:02

I love Bath, but it certainly helps to have disposable income. I'm out of date with infant/junior schools but have friends with kids at most of the secondaries (state and private). Most have great reputations. There is no 11+ in the area, but clever kids will thrive. There is plenty for kids to do if they are sporty/musical/into drama and the countryside is on our doorstep. The University has some great facilities that local schools and clubs can use.

Yes tourists and students can be annoying, but it isn't hard to avoid them.

Original poster
Zba99 · 01/03/2023 14:03

@Whichwhatnow it's Nottingham High School

OP posts:
Original poster
Zba99 · 01/03/2023 14:03

@WednesdaysPlaits it's Nottingham High School

OP posts:
SoCrossAboutThis · 01/03/2023 14:08

Nottingham is going to be cheaper property price wise and more central for other areas. Goodish connection to London via rail and other large cities in easy reach.

WednesdaysPlaits · 01/03/2023 16:24

Zba99 · 01/03/2023 14:03

@WednesdaysPlaits it's Nottingham High School

That’s a very good academically selective independent school. It has a very wide catchment area which can be a bit of an issue re socialising outside of school but you could live anywhere in Notts. Most families at the school live in Mapperley park, The Park, West Bridgford/edwalton or in the Nottinghamshire villages. Children at the school are significantly wealthier than average and by far the majority of parents are medics.