Moving to Bear Flat, Bath? Is it a good place to live?!

[docket]

Hi all

I grew up in Bath and we're thinking of moving back there next summer (me, DH and 3 DCs).

We've seen a great house in Bear Flat but know very little about the area or what it's like to live there, I lived on the other side of town and don't think anyone I knew lived in BF.

Anyone got any pearls of wisdom?

Many thanks!

docket

Hi Docket,

I'm also a native Bathonion, and I came back to live in Bath with DH and DS 3 months ago. We are 5 minutes from Bear Flat!

It's a popular location for families, mainly because it's very close to the city centre/station, lots of buses and is in the catchment area for some good schools.

Nice local shops/delis. Lovely big park with children's play-area and stunning views.

How old are your children? What else do you need to find out about?

Oooh MrsFlittersnoop, how exciting to get a reply, I wasn't expecting one!

Whereabouts are you then? Further up or down the hill? Are you happy that you moved back?

The DC are 5 (already in reception, so will be trying to get him into year 1 - gulp), 3 (reception in September) and DC3 is due in December.

I'm quite sure that the area is a good place to grow up but I guess the main thing is schools and the worry that applying late will mean we end up in not-very-good school(s), I know Moorlands has just been put in special measures. My optimistic teacher friend says this means it'll get better really quickly but who knows..

What was it that made you move back there?

We are up the hill!

I lived in London for 25 years. Very elderly widowed mum lived by herself in large crumbling family home in Bath which was too much for her to manage. Couldn't sell it because of the recession and the huge amount of work required. DH's business in London not doing well, paying outrageous rent which we could not longer afford. DS v. unhappy at school and no practical alternatives nearby.

So we moved back in with my mum, DS (13) now in excellent local school, DH making new business contacts and getting more work. Aged Mama happy, and we're not constantly terrified she'll burn the house down while making toast.

Re: schools for your DCs, please don't worry too much about Moorlands. Your teacher friend is absolutely correct.

My brother and I went there. It is in a beautiful location, has a caring ethos, and (can't believe I'm writing this ) a large number of very middle-class Bear Flat and Bloomfield parents have always chosen to send their kids there. Many of the pupils go on to excellent secondary schools (Beechen Cliff for example).

Most of the "best" primary schools in Bath are CoE which might not be appropriate for you.

HTH!

Sounds like moving back there is working out really well for all of you. We're in London at the moment and want to move somewhere more peaceful. I worry sometimes that I idealise Bath but I really did have a good time growing up there (especially as a teen!), a better one than I think the DC will be able to have here.

Thanks for your Moorlands comments. I think you are probably right, it's just that the report makes slightly worrying reading. Still, the only way is up! I went to St Stephen's which I think falls into 'best' category and I don't think we'd get in as we aren't church-goers. I've heard Widcombe is quite good but think that is CofE too.

I think these things have a habit of working themselves out in the end. Just need to make the leap!

Thanks for replying, you've been really helpful!!

Hi Docket,

I'm also a native Bathonian. Moved back to Bath 10 years ago and now can't imagine living anywhere else. I'm down in widcombe but know lots of Bear Flat mums who are very happy there, and who have kids at Moorlands, and are also quite happy with the school. Widcombe Infants isn't c of e -although juniors is, bizarrely- and a fair amount of Bear Flat seems to fall into the catchment area most years.

Make that leap!!

Love Rolfies Junk/ antiques store in Bear Flat - and a couple of nice delis I think. Even The Bear pub has had a make-over! Nice park and quite a middle class area I'd say.

I was a student in bath in the early 90's where I met my husband. We moved away - but realised both of us were pining for Bath, so moved back after 6 years and have lived in or around ever since.

It can be easy to idealise it and it is a huge mixture of good/bad, rich/poor but wouldn't live anywhere else now!

Good luck!

Thanks everyone for your replies. We've just made an offer on the house so we'll see. You've all been lovely, thanks!