Where to live??

[beebusy]

Hi there,

I've just posted a similar post in the Somerset Local thread, and am hoping some Wiltshire mums might be able to help.

My husband, 7 yo DD and I are moving from Australia to UK in February. But we don't know where to move to!!!???
We have lived in London before (DH is from there) and know people in London, but would rather live in the countryside.
We've been to some areas in Wiltshire and love Marlborough, but we're probably priced out of the housing market there (as well as immediate villages)
As we can't visit locations before we move, I'm relying on online research which is really, really hard.
I'd love to hear any recommendations (as well a places to avoid) given our following preferences:

Welcoming/good community spirit
Some educated / worldly people (sorry if this sounds snobby, but I live in an area of Aust at the moment where people are very friendly, but most have left school at 15, and have no idea what's going on in the world except for milk and beef prices - and I find it difficult to relate at more than a superficial level).
Flexible with size of town / village.
We're into our food and wine - so good restaurants / cafes
Some art / culture is a plus
Good schools nearby
Pretty historic housing / scenery
Possible to buy 3-bed house for about £250,000 - I know this might be tricky given we don't want a post-1950s house.

We work remotely, so don't need to be near any particular town or city. Although a train to London would be handy. Both drive, so PT isn't an issue.

What do you think?!?

thanks in advance!!!!

Hi beebusy

I don't envy you having to relocate, remotely. That's really hard work!

For all that you've written, Chippenham or maybe one of the villages might be what you're looking for.

Chippenham has great schools, both primary and secondary. Trains into Paddington and it's only a few miles from the motorway.

People are generally friendly and there is a low crime rate.

Plenty of cafes etc and a couple of really nice parks.

Salisbury has a lot going on, but I'm not sure about schools and transport links.

If you have any other questions about North Wilts, I'll try to answer them

Thanks ChalkyWhiteHorsey,

I have driven 'around' Chippenham and thought the urban sprawl wasn't exactly what we are after. But as you say, the villages nearby might suit us more.

I'd love to visit Salisbury - if only it wasn't a 24 hour flight away! It does sound lovely - as do the villages nearby.

back to the research...

Trains to London from Marlborough? I often wonder what the point is to North Wiltshire. Not near the sea or anything.
Why not winchester or Chichester. Both more sophisticated

Agreed swilts, but us unsophisticated people need somewhere to live too

Salisbury and Marlborough are both lovely. But I have only been a tourist there. I imagine they could be quite expensive.

The centre of Chippenham has plenty of Victorian houses and you can be in the countryside within a 15 minute walk. It was never my 1st choice, but it solved a lot of the educational issues we were having. The villages between Chippenham and the motorway are really quite pretty, there are village primaries and then buses to Chippenham for secondary school.

Hi Beebusy! We re-located remotely two years ago so know what you're going through. We chose Malmesbury, on the Wiltshire/Gloucester border. The main reason? Schooling. It has a collection of good primary schools in town and the surrounding village but more importantly the secondary school is about the best in Wiltshire and in the top 25 in the country.
I can get to Bath in 45 mins and Bristol in about 40. There are loads of great pubs and restaurants a short taxi ride away. Everyone has been very friendly and welcoming. It would also tick your box for cultured folk. I'm a photographer and designer of handcrafted jewellery and so I have met people through selling at craft fairs. There are loads of very interesting people with wondrous tales to tell.
It is an hour and half to Heathrow or the western edge of London by car. You can catch trains from Kemble or Chippenham or Swindon into London that take from 70 mins.
Hope your move goes smoothly. If you do choose Malmesbury get in touch. I';d love to take you for a coffee and show you round.

That's tough I don't think with your budget you get a house with your specific but probably a larger town. There are a lot of small towns which are in the countryside near to bigger cities like Bath or Bristol. Marlborough is lovely have you looked at Devizes most of the towns have only one large secondly school so may need to travel to a different town. There are a few new housing developments in Wiltshire I live on one in Melksham I have lived here all my life the town is ok and has lovely local villages have you looked at Shaw village or Whitley. Maybe look at surrounding villages of Melksham, Trowbridge, Chippenham or Devizes.

Good luck.

Lynda

Thank you all for your suggestions.
We did visit malmsbury and loved it ( in the one hour we had!) But had scant insight into life there. So thank you so much for you detailed response Solenzara. That is all VERY reassuring.

Lynda last year we went to devizes. Thought the buildings were beautiful but it didn't quite have the feel we were after (no offence to people who live there please!). We do want to look at some surrounding villages though.

Arriving next week ... Yeah! Can't wait to explore!

Thanks again everyone.
BB