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17 replies

baiyu · 12/10/2009 18:10

Hello, I'm moving to Cheltenham from Edinburgh in a couple of weeks with DH and a 17mo DS. Heading down tomorrow to house hunt (to rent initially). Just wondering if anyone can give me some advice on areas to live? Letting agencies to recommend/avoid? Friendly toddler groups/ classes? I'd really appreciate any insight at all about the area! I don't know a soul. Thanks very much for your help

OP posts:
SazZaVoom · 12/10/2009 18:23

We go to a signing class in Leckhampton on a Wednesday but come from outside of Cheltenham

There is a local Gloucester meet thread here

IIRC there was quite a long thread a little while back on good areas/schools etc which might be very helpful

Hope you find somewhere - it is a lovely area

SazZaVoom · 12/10/2009 18:28

It was this thread i was thinking of. It is focussed on schools but has some discussion of nice areas to live

ApuskiDusky · 12/10/2009 18:33

Hi baiyu,

I've lived in Cheltenham for around 5 years now, and have a 2.1 year old ds; and we rented when we first moved here. We rented through CJ Hole, and they were good, Isherwoods is another big letting agency round here. And most of the estate agencies handle lettings too.

There are lots of toddler groups and classes, it just depends on the area you are living in. Areas - well, it depends what you want! Can't list them all, but here are a few of my favourite areas:

Charlton Kings, southwest - quite expensive, out of the town, lots of families because it has great schools, quite a lot of detached houses.
Leckhampton, south - lots of Victorian terraces, great mini high street, fairly expensive again.
Tivoli, more central - some really nice terraces, again higher than average price, quite popular for renting
Prestbury, northeast - out of town, got a 'local community' feel to it away from the town centre, good mix of houses, but not brilliant links to the south or west if commuting
Pittville - just north of centre but close to town, great parks, some lovely architecture - we rented here, but didn't buy - not ideal for our commute and the schools in the north are not as good as the south, unless you're closer to Bishops Cleeve.

Hope that helps for starters - happy to try to answer any specific questions!

baiyu · 12/10/2009 23:12

Ok, that's wonderful thank you! I'm frantically scribbling notes.

sazzavoom thanks for finding me the thread, places to avoid very useful to know!

Apuskiduski that's superb insider info, just what I need!

Quite excited about having a look around over the next few days, I've stopped once for coffee about 15 years ago and soon it'll be home, eek! (also slightly delirious at the idea of a few childfree days, I'm coming on my own!).DH has been down for interviews etc and he seems quite keen on the place so feeling very positive.

Need to go and pack my bag! More questions to follow I'm sure...

Thanks so much

OP posts:
baiyu · 14/10/2009 00:13

is Fiddlers green nice or scary? Seeing houses also on Rosehill street and Milsom street tomorrow. any thoughts please?

OP posts:
ApuskiDusky · 14/10/2009 11:51

Just seen this, hope you're enjoying Cheltenham!

Fiddlers Green is OK - lots of new houses, people from GCHQ often live there, mix of young people and families I think - but it is close to some of the not so nice areas of Cheltenham, like Hesters Way. But then, so am I!

Rosehill Street area I think is nice, though roads can be busy. Nice parks close by and an easy walk into town. Milsom Street area not as nice I'd say, but not extreme. Quite studenty I think.

baiyu · 14/10/2009 23:06

Hey! I actually took the house in Fiddlers Green today (Kempton grove) and a stones throw from from the park. The other ones were so small and a bit rubbish. I had heard there are some unsavoury areas near there but I think that's the case in lots of places and i think we'll probably move again before DS goes to school! Nice house and in our budget with a garden so feeling quite pleased. No idea what else is in the area though, will have to get exploring! (and get a bike and probably learn to drive, really didn't need to in Edinburgh). Hopefully won't be too much of a schlep to a shop and maybe a toddler group!
Moving in on the 26th so not long!
Thanks so much for the help!

OP posts:
ApuskiDusky · 15/10/2009 07:44

Glad to hear you got sorted!

Toddler groups in Cheltenham

I think St Marks on Church Street and Reddings toddler group are probably nearest where you'll be.

baiyu · 28/10/2009 10:22

Thank you very much! We're here, I live in Cheltenham!

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ApuskiDusky · 01/11/2009 21:52

Hi baiyu!

Just seen this, how are you settling in?

baiyu · 08/11/2009 21:31

Hey! Settling in well thanks, nobody to play with and DH starts work tomorrow but we're doing well.

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perfectstorm · 12/11/2009 15:22

baiyu - I'm moving with DH and our 13 month old ds in December; have just rented a flat in Montpellier, but if you have any tips about the place and toddlers, I'd be very grateful.

baiyu · 13/11/2009 13:57

You lucky thing! Lovely area.
I'll let you know when I have some tips. Haven't found any groups etc yet, must try harder as the loneliness is getting to me already!

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perfectstorm · 13/11/2009 15:16

There's a waddlers and toddlers NCT group I've found, and an aquatots class - will have to try them, I think. There's also a soft play place, though ds is a bit young still for that. He's not propely walking yet - takes a step or two and then realises he isn't hanging on to anything....

It is a lovely area - we compromised on size and having a garden, it being close to the parks, because we also haven't got a car and being in walking distance of things is correspondingly important. I go stir-crazy very fast, stuck indoors alone with ds. There's a brilliant coffee shop opposite the Gardens called Gusto - if you fancy grabbing a coffee there before endlessly pushing baby swings, let me know?

baiyu · 16/11/2009 14:53

Hey! that would be really lovely. I haven't discovered any good cafes yet either (not very good at this am I? You've done better and you haven't even moved yet!) E-mail me at glitterbrain AT gmail DOT com when you fancy it. Good luck with the move!

OP posts:
PatTheHammer · 21/11/2009 10:49

baiyu- my FIL lives in Kempton Grove!!!! How are you finding it now??
We live in the Stroud area but are over in Cheltenham most weekends. I have a 3yr old DD and 10mth old DS. When I did live in Cheltenham I loved it but that was pre-DC! DH is born and bred there though so has lots of insider information (although not on toddler groups which is probably what you need).

Crossword · 28/11/2009 19:09

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