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Living overseas

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Original poster

Moving to Bath area

40 replies

elaudi · 28/11/2018 05:50

Hello there!
I am a french mum of two great girls and we are currently living with my husband in Shanghai, China but we'll be moving to Bath area in January 2019.
We're very excited about it, as we are both fed up with big city life style, pollution etc... Thing is, I really don't know that area or anyone there. We've looked into some rentals and Bath is a bit pricey for us so we are considering renting first then buying in a perimeter of 25 minutes top by car around Bath (my husband has a job at University)

I heard Frome is nice and Trowbridge surprisingly better than everyone would think. What are your recommendations guys? I'm looking for a town with a minimum of entertainment like cinema, some pubs and restaurants, and a cool life for young families. Maybe some farm at proximity where one can buy good and healthy products.

Also, if there is any french mum in this area, did you find a french class for your kids so that they can also learn french grammar? My daughter will go to public school and so will only have an english education regarding school program.

Anyway. thanks for reading, and again very happy to join this mumsnet club and to go live in this beautiful country!

Elodie

OP posts:
Original poster
elaudi · 03/12/2018 05:47

Thank you all for the feedback! I will look into that! See you in Somerset !

OP posts:
fussychica · 03/12/2018 10:55

Try Warminster and it's surrounding villages, much nicer than Trowbridge and Westbury and cheaper the Bradford on Avon and Frome. We moved to this area when we came back from abroad and are very settled. Good luck.

Bridgegeek · 13/12/2018 04:08

I moved away a few years ago so am a bit out of date, but agree that Bradford on Avon and Frome are nice. Some of the villages are lovely too, Rode is really nice and has a nice school, nice pubs etc.

moumoute · 14/12/2018 22:44

Is your husband British? (None of my business! Just wonder since I'm french too and husband isn't British but I'd consider to move to Bath sometimes...!)

Original poster
elaudi · 15/12/2018 07:43

Hey moumoute, my husband is also french ! Why are you planning to go there? Let's keep in touch!

Thanks everyone for advices; it's really discouraging regarding Trowbridge, but I will look into the towns you mentioned. Bradford on Avon is too pricey for us !

OP posts:
Magmatic80 · 15/12/2018 07:51

Chippenham is 13 minutes from Bath by high speed train. Don’t drive into Bath! It has excellent rail and motorway links, and very good schools.

Magmatic80 · 15/12/2018 07:52

And the refurbed cinema is great and still relatively cheap.

Torsz · 15/12/2018 07:53

I grew up in Frome, went to school in beckington and worked in Warminster - I'd definitely say to consider all 3. I used to find Frome a bit dull but since I moved to Bristol (all my family are still in Frome), it's become much more 'trendy' and popular - it seems to be the place to live now!
Personally I'd avoid Trowbridge but most places around that area are nice ☺️

MsTSwift · 15/12/2018 07:58

When you move try the mums in Bath fb page to link up with french families.

Shahlalala · 15/12/2018 08:03

Another vote for BOA, Frome or Chippenham.
I worked in Trowbridge and now have friends who bought new houses there, I would definitely avoid it. We are more likely to go to Chippenham, Bath or Devizes for the Cinema!
We live near Chippenham and it’s great for getting to Bath, really quick by train.

Elodiebm · 04/02/2020 05:15

Hi @elaudi, I just came across this thread which is so relevant to the situation we are in at the moment. I was wondering if you have settled in Bradford in Avon since we are looking at this little town as our next move (we currently live in Singapore and are half Brits/half French with 2 young children). Thanks in advance. Elodie

areallthenamesusedup · 08/02/2020 23:44

Bath lovely. Lots of people who have moved from overseas/expats/down from London people so easy to quickly integrate.

usernameusrnme · 16/04/2020 22:27

Here is the truth. Bath is nice IF you are middle class, radio 4 loving, island in the middle of your kitchen, zinc surface type of person. Preferably white. If not, get ready for a slew of hostile, gossipy, snobbishness. Now everyone on here will tell you "No, thats not true, its lovely" but you've been warned. Its a georgian wisteria lane and socially locked firmly and somewhat proudly in the 19th century. If you are looking for modernity then look elsewhere.

You can all say whatever you like, people get very defensive and rush to defend the place like its the greatest place in the UK. But you won't find more cliquey people anywhere else.

usernameusrnme · 16/04/2020 22:39

People also like to say its very cosmopolitan which is nonsense. Total total pretentiousness. They say that because they think it makes them more moral as its filled with lib dem voters and right wing tories who dont want to come across badly.

AuburnandRose · 05/10/2020 21:29

Wow just read your post, we found the thread so helpful as we are a British couple living in France with 1year old wanting to move back to UK to the Bath area with pretty much your same specifications. We would really love to know how everything went for you? X

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