Charlton Kings, Leckhampton or Stroud?

[stephielc]

Hi everyone, we're potentially moving down south from Scotland and I've been doing a lot of research into the areas mentioned. I have two primary aged boys and know secondary school will come round quickly, which is why I have zoned in on these areas!!

I feel like I'm being pulled towards Stroud, simply because of how stunning the countryside is there... however, I'm very aware I'll have teenagers on my hands before I know it. Therefore, would we be better in Charlton Kings or Leckhampton so they could have a bit more freedom to go into Cheltenham etc.? Balcarras is also another huge draw and I feel takes the pressure off trying to get into a grammar school.

It's so hard to judge from google street view what Charlton Kings is like? Leckhampton looks a bit more buzzy, but that little bit pricier. Our budget is below 500k and I've noticed a lot of properties sell quite quickly.

I'd love to hear opinions on these places or suggestions for anywhere else we should consider. Our closest family is in London so it's a big move for us in terms of not knowing anyone or the area that well. Just happy memories from visiting as a child.

We're planning a visit down to Cheltenham soon once travelling is an option again. TIA :)

Stroud has a very particular sort of vibe which is which different from Cheltenham. Archway is the Secondary and reports I have heard aren’t great. It depends a lot on your children and what they are like and what you want from an area. Stroud has a very eclectic sort of population. There are the locals and the incomers, many from London. There are lots of alternative practitioners and free thinkers. If that’s your thing, you will appreciate it more than the Cheltenham area which to my mind is a little dull. Cheltenham as a town is very attractive, but a bit lacking in character. I would take some time to look round the area, get a sense of what the dynamic is. Balcarras has a good reputation. If that’s your main criteria, I would pick Balcarras over Archway.
Stroud has a weekly market and lots going on. I love it but many people don’t.

OK!

Leckhampton is quite a tighly packed place. And uphill from everywhere. It is lovely, and the roomier houses are truly lovely. Parking might be an issue the closer to Bath Rd/town you get.

Charlton Kings is a decent compromise, again parking can be an issue and the prices are high because of Balcarras and Kings. It's comparatively flat though!

Stroud is very hilly. Cheaper closer into town, ludicrous the further out/up you go! Has some brilliant 'local' things going on, but is definitely further out in the boonies than Leckhampton or Charlton Kings. I'd prefer it to the other two if it weren't for the hills.

With your budget you might be pushed to find what you want in an older property and newer ones are very boxy, small.

Up on Rodborough common, for example. The absolute boonies for teens

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/87912079#/

Offplan in Stroud centre

Leckhampton off plan and squished www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/87665920#/

Lovely house, typcal of the streets
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/75313347#/

Charlton Kings

I know this house and one few doors up, bloody lovely once done up but the road noise would be a problem, and parking! I'd also note that the one a couple of doors up had a pump for the basement, ground water level I think, or maybe road run off. But it would probably be my second choice of area with kids

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/88938700#/

Seems like @GoLightlyontheEarth and I have the same idea

@GoLightlyontheEarth @CuriousaboutSamphire

Thank you so much for your replies, really helpful! Those house links were great too as examples. I agree we have this in-between budget and anything we get will be a lot smaller than we'd hoped. I'm curious to know your first choice areas with kids?

For us, schools are really important in our decision-making process... In Stroud, we would most likely only be looking in the Thomas Keble School catchment, so Chalford Hill and Bussage? Do you have a feel for these areas? And realistically... teenage wise... is it just too out in the boonies like you say haha. It does look hilly also, which would take some getting used to.

I'm wondering, even though a lot of them are lovely, with young kids if Leckhamptom would be too squished for us... especially moving down from where we are now which is quite spacious in comparison. So tricky but I can't wait to visit in person, next month hopefully!

I think just have a look round and get a feel for the place. I don’t understand what’s wrong with hills? I love hills. The Cheltenham area and Stroud are VERY different. Stroud is very friendly . Cheltenham not so much so. If you are looking to make friends it would probably be easier in Stroud. I don’t know anything about Thomas Keble school , sorry. I know quite a bit about Kings, but it’s fee paying.

The Steiner school has a strong following in Stroud by the way.

Yes. come and have a play. They are all lovely areas. I agree Cheltenham is probably less fun, though Leckhampton does have it's own social life.

Hills? I have some health issues that make them tricky, thought the dog loves them

Stroud really would be fine for teens, it's just that Rodborough and some of the outlying areas wpuld take some getting used to. Absolutely lovely places, well worth a look. There are regular buses up and down.

Rather than staying in Cheltenham stopover in Stroud, including their rather amazing market day.

As for other places, I live across the other side, towards the Forest of Dean. I love it, it is a great place to live, but the teens really moan about the lack of stuff to do and the horrendous roads, scarce buses. So I couldn't really recommend you look out here. The single road pinch point back towards Gloucester and all the new developments are going to make living out here truly miserable for years to come!

@GoLightlyontheEarth @CuriousaboutSamphire
Good idea to stay in Stroud during our visit. I totally agree they seem very different places... things about both areas appeal to us so I reckon we are these awkward middle people who are not quite sure where we fit.

Nothing wrong with hills, sorry I meant more the driving issues, especially in winter (ice etc) but I'm sure we'll manage :)

Thank you both for your help, I really appreciate the advice!

Just don’t think about living in Gloucester. 😩

Stroud is amazing! I was born in Stroud but didn’t live here until I was 12. It’s a great place to grow up and raise a family. I don’t particularly rate Chalford or bussage. And buses for teenagers wanting to get into town are rubbish to and from there so you’d have to drive them everywhere!
Archway isn’t a bad school if you want to do well there you will I know plenty of qualified doctors who went to Archway, I went there and I really enjoyed it, although that was a long time ago! Thomas Keble is known as a good school and there’s the grammars school too.
I live very central and love being able to walk into town in just a few minutes. I would recommend looking at the Old Stroud area like Bisley Old road and surrounding roads. Rodborough is lovely, Kingscourt, Slad and Woodchester all lovely too.