Moving to Salisbury!!!

[Mered81]

My husband has a new job in Salisbury and we and our 2 children (1 and 2.5) are looking to relocate to Salisbury. I'm not familiar with the area and after reading a few previous posts feel a bit dubious of the move. My husband is keen to live in the centre of Salisbury itself but I am uncertain as I quite like the idea of my children attending more small and local playgroups and primary schools etc. I am unfamiliar with the schooling system (grammar schools etc) and feel a bit wary of them.

Could anyone please recommend any particular areas within the centre of Salisbury and any playgroups and primary schools or maybe some of the surrounding villages. We've currently looked at some rental properties on Trinity Street and Greencroft Street any recommendation would be really appreciated.

Also some advice on the schooling system would be great.

Hi, you shouldn't be dubious. It is a lovely place to bring up kids, like a strange mono cultural toy town. Teenagers aren't routinely mugged and there is a lot going on for littlies.
the centre is nice but can be noisy ( at night in particular) and you will have huge parking issues. Nice roads are Albany and Belle View.
Schooling is church dominated,largely and at 10 kids can take the eleven plus for the single sex grammar schools. Girls who fail are well catered for, boys less so and many travel every day out of Salisbury.
Primary school wise, it depends where you eventually choose to rent. I would avoid St Martins, even though it is within a walking distance, they get many transient families for many reasons. Take a look at Wyndham Park - it just got an outstanding, although it is quite big.

i am not up to date with playgroups - there is one in the Baptist church I think, that used to have a bloody waiting list.

Thank you for the advice. We spent the weekend there and all really enjoyed it. I think I spent more time listening to the negative comments people have written rather than just experiencing it for myself. We're hoping to move in September so Ill research playgroups and maybe get our names on some lists if necessary!!

Thanks for the advice on the schools I'll def look into Wyndham park. Having trouble with finding somewhere to rent doesn't seem to be much available and when they do come up they go so quickly but I'll keep a look out for the streets you recommended.

Many thanks again

i saw a few on Bishopdown farm when I was driving through there recently.

Salisbury is a lovely place to bring up a family - lots of parks in city centre, lots of playgroups, my children go to Sarum St Paul's school - just given Outstanding by Ofsted (very close to the Fire Station and a playground!). please consider, that if you live out of town, then you have to drive and try to find a parking spot every time you need to go to town (which is often) so we decided better to live in the centre - very close to everything. You can get parking permit for onstreet parking if your house does not have a drive (we do!) you can see for yourself how quickly properties go - this is because Salisbury is a desirable location! we moved down here in 2009. Best to rent, then have a look around and choose where you want to live. Good luck!

Note. No mention made of Sarum St. Paul's. Yet poster chose to dm me about it. How odd

Dear swillts - the reason for my DM is not on this thread - there is another thread called "Salisbury easy to meet new people?" and on this thread a parent asked specific question about Sarum St Paul's school and you made a specific comment in reply telling them to avoid the school. Hopefully this clears it up!