Moving from England To Wales

[SpiceMama]

Hi everyone! We're considering moving to south wales and have found an affordable house in Llanelli. I was wondering if any Welsh parents on here would recommend moving here?

We're looking for somewhere that is good for a young family. We want to leave london because of the crime mainly, then affordability and then pollution! We want to be like 10/15 mins from the shops but not on top of them either. Somewhere that has things for kiddies/families.

Does anyone recommend anywhere to look? Moving away from high crime is important to us. Literally only just started to look into it.

Also, Llanelli isn't that bad! Not deserving of the slating it's getting on here.

I grew up near Llanelli and now live in London. It’s super safe, low crime, with a great sense of community and good schools. I definitely see the appeal! Town centre won’t wow you but surrounding countryside is stunning and you’ll have easy access to the M4. I grew up doing lots through the medium of Welsh - my parents didn’t love all the emphasis on Welsh (one is a Welsh speaker) but it was actually pretty great. Good luck!

People saying you're driving house prices up..... I'm looking for something as cheap as possible..... I'm not looking for an expensive house 🙄

And it also sounds kinda racist guys. Like you don't accept foreigners... for whatever reason.

@SpiceMama

People saying you're driving house prices up..... I'm looking for something as cheap as possible..... I'm not looking for an expensive house 🙄

And it also sounds kinda racist guys. Like you don't accept foreigners... for whatever reason.

Yes but what's cheap for you may not be for a young local family trying to buy near their family because they need a support network.

If you can afford to go just over the asking price even by a couple of grand you'll price them out.

Maybe not you personally but plenty of this goes on.

There's no racism involved, just practical reasons.

Would also add that you shouldn’t dismiss Welsh language schools as they’re often the best. I went to a Llanelli catchment school for primary and secondary and Welsh language options were by far the highest attaining academically. Welsh speakers were seen as ‘posh’ or Crachach when I grew up as they were more likely to be kids of professionals.

Oh and although crime rates are low, don’t live near a Llanelli pub!

Hopefully more Llanelli mums will join soon…

I’d say forget about guilt over pricing our locals. If you were buying a second home, I’d feel very differently.

We all come from somewhere and we all got to live somewhere. I lived in a poor area of the east end for ages and was probably considered a gentrifier, but guess what, there were very few jobs in Carmarthenshire when I was looking so that’s where I ended up! Movement and diversity is good for everyone and will benefit Llanelli kids too by broadening horizons. Go for it!

There is a very similar thread on Scotsnet at the moment. Not living overseas but thinking Scotland is not part of the UK.

Equally chippy OP as well.

You do realise you're basically saying foreigners are coming over and stealing our houses so we can't afford them. That is racism at it's finest. You have absolutely NO IDEA what I can and can't afford. If I had money I'd be looking in England but I don't. Please don't stereotype me or put me in a category that you have no understanding of.

@RobynNora

I’d say forget about guilt over pricing our locals. If you were buying a second home, I’d feel very differently.

We all come from somewhere and we all got to live somewhere. I lived in a poor area of the east end for ages and was probably considered a gentrifier, but guess what, there were very few jobs in Carmarthenshire when I was looking so that’s where I ended up! Movement and diversity is good for everyone and will benefit Llanelli kids too by broadening horizons. Go for it!

Thank you! Xx

I live in a very welsh area of north wales (where welsh is mandatory in my job as well as the schools) great safe place to live and loads of English families relocate here with no issues at all (the schools actually arrange for English speaking parents to attend welsh language classes to aid them in their ability to help with homework, not mandatory but useful since English isn't taught in our schools until the ages of 7/8 and kids pick up languages fast!) second homes are another matter altogether here

@SpiceMama

You do realise you're basically saying foreigners are coming over and stealing our houses so we can't afford them. That is racism at it's finest. You have absolutely NO IDEA what I can and can't afford. If I had money I'd be looking in England but I don't. Please don't stereotype me or put me in a category that you have no understanding of.

You do realise that people are just talking about the kinds of attitude you may unfortunately encounter, not your particular situation?

People ARE coming in to communities, driving up prices and forcing families apart. Maybe not you but it is happening. And feelings run high as a result.

And unless you're fully prepared to immerse yourself in local culture and language expect some push back on that front too.

I'm not saying it's right or wrong, just that you should be realistic about such a move.

Hmm, I'm sure there are parts of England as cheap as Llanelli... Anyway, its a very Welsh, local, proud town. Majority Welsh speaking rough diamond near the coast where rugby rules. The accent is quite strong 😄 and you will stand out.... You did ask.

When Londoners post about not being able to afford to buy a house in London they are often told on Mumsnet to move out of London. Even though they have lived there all their lives. Then when they post about buying a house somewhere cheaper they are criticised for driving house prices up and not fitting in.

When Londoners post about not being able to afford to buy a house in London they are often told on Mumsnet to move out of London

Noone has a problem with this provided they respect the place they are moving too. OP clearly doesn't even consider Wales to be part of the UK and doesn't seen particularly open minded about the culture and language.

It is a real fear for some Welsh communities that they will be priced out oif their own area, especially at present when many people in cities are rethinking their living situation post pandemic. To say its racist is ridiculous and offensive.

Wow Mumsnet really does even manage to be horrible to someone who's just asking for advice on moving. Unbelievable the things people find to be so vile about.

I definitely do not agree that you will have any issues moving as a permanent resident into wales it is totally different from having a second home. Any village would be delighted to have more pupils for the school and you will contribute to the local economy. It is an amazing place to live.

The estuary is beautiful, there's lovely walks and cycle paths a popular beach. Parc Trostre is a popular shopping centre. Strong rugby team and a stadium and the calsonic grass roots footie teams are a force! If you have a DD the girls teams are excellent. The biggest soft play you've ever seen! Llanelli is really lovely.

Of course Llanelli (and Wales) isn't overseas but the OP is right to pick up on the fact it's a different culture with a different language to England.

Llanelli and Carmarthenshire is a Welsh language heartland and it'll be a great place to live if you accept the culture, including Welsh medium education, and don't act like a twat as some incomers do. That (and second homes) is what breeds resentment.

Welsh Government are chucking resources at opportunities for adults to learn Welsh too.

@TrufflyPig

When Londoners post about not being able to afford to buy a house in London they are often told on Mumsnet to move out of London

Noone has a problem with this provided they respect the place they are moving too. OP clearly doesn't even consider Wales to be part of the UK and doesn't seen particularly open minded about the culture and language.

It is a real fear for some Welsh communities that they will be priced out oif their own area, especially at present when many people in cities are rethinking their living situation post pandemic. To say its racist is ridiculous and offensive.

Are you actually joking me? Where does it say I dont accept the culture or language? NOWHERE!!!!!!!!!

I think learning another language is great!

All my post asked was of llaneli had high crime and if it was a good place for a young family.

That was all. So if you don't have anything nice to say then maybe you should delve into some self development. 👌

Wow Mumsnet really does even manage to be horrible to someone who's just asking for advice on moving. Unbelievable the things people find to be so vile about

Agree. But the fact that OP has immediately jumped to calling everyone racist for suggesting that not all newcomers will be necessarily be welcomed with open arms was rather uncalled for also.

I was prepared to offer advice before that, I live in the area and could actually help.

As regards to crime it depends where which is why I asked for the specific area. Same goes for the feelings of resentment you might encounter as a Londoner buying a house (certain areas have seen a huge rise in house prices due to people moving from cities), not saying its right but its a genuine concern. Again the area matters in this context. Nothing to do with racism.

If you respect the people you live with, the culture and the language you should not have not any issues.

And I am also learning Welsh free through work so plenty of opportunities for you.

We lasted less than a year in Cardiff. Schools all over subscribed and once in a school my teens had to do Welsh GCSE. It was never going to end well!

Indeed truffly

Self development calls too?

That wasn’t nice either.

@whereamitoday
Why should a Welsh GCSE be a problem? If you went to France, would you also complain about your kids needing to learn French?

Llanelli has its good and bad areas if you say where you've seen a house I'm sure some locals will advise you.