Does anyone know Machen, Caerphilly?

[SadPander]

Hi, Thinking of looking at a house in Machen (currently live in Cardiff) does anyone know anything about the area?

We are hoping for quiet, peaceful village, but with some shops, pubs etc and a good school. I will be having my first child in December so also a fiendly area with things for children to do would be a bonus. Does anyone know if Machen fits the bill or not? Any advice or bits to avoid? Thanks

I lived there and lasted 3 months hun. We had a top floor flat opposite the primary school and our 'neighbours' underneath us were a druggie and an alcholic who used to beat their dog late at night. It was awful and I was pregnant at the time. We spent a fortune doing the flat up as it was a tip and didnt get anything back from the landlord. He was a proper cowboy =( I think we just got unlucky tbh. Its a lovely little part of caerphilly. It a bit rubbish if you dont drive as buses arent that often and the Spar shop is very expensive.