Black family - moving outside of London

[Forfamily]

Hi All.

I wonder if you can help?!

Myself (Jamaican heritage) and DH (Nigerian) want to move outside of London but are finding it a bit of a struggle.

We want to step away from the business of London and live in the countryside (not the sticks!) where our DD's (6 and 3) can play outdoors more and have access to better schooling opportunities etc.

Along the search so far we have found that in some parts of the North England you can get a double take or two (being either the only black people there or one of the very few) or the area's we can afford are really rundown and not the places we want to live.
We were in Leamington Spa and I fell in love with the high street, parks, even the people seemed friendly enough but some parts were really rough and sadly those area are more within our price bracket 🙁

It's so scary as you just don't know what your getting yourself into as we are stepping into the unknown. We both have been in South London all our lives.

So of there's anyone that can give suggestion on areas that would be great! Or if you are in the same position- get in touch!

What we are looking for:
•Great community/friendly town
•Access to local amenities
•Town centre with good high street store Next, Zara, M and S, H and M and good charity shops too
• Good schools
•Period properties
• Local parks that are safe
• Somewhere accepting so we all can make friends and settle well.

I hope you can help

Possibly left field, but have you considered Wales?

Bristol
Brighton

Stroud!

Thank you to everyone who replied.
We have now made our big move and couldn't be more happier

Where did you move to in the end @Forfamily ?

Hi, what area did you move to?

I need to know where she ended up too hebe

Whoever said Northamptonshire, not really. Outside Northampton and Wellingborough it is still pretty white and the shops are rubbish.

Duh. I didn't notice it was an old thread.

What about cardiff? Ten mins from the countryside, right near to the seaside and one of the oldest black communities in the UK ( tiger bay) .

I need advice please, we are black family planning on moving the kids to outside London, the thing Is My older child is in college and the youngest in primary school I need to consider schools & safety as the main factor. I found a property am planning to go and view it is in Wigmore's, CB8. does anyone know if this area is diverse? Am also open to any suggestion on good places for a black family. please

Keshina11 - it's probably best to upload your post as new thread, as the OP is a zombie thread so I'm not sure you'll get many responses to this thread.

We live in Hinckley, Leicestershire. It is predominantly white but no one blinks an eye if you're not! I am white and DH is Nigerian. We have 4 kids and haven't experienced any issues. We also have Leicester, Coventry and Birmingham close by when wanting to visit a city (and also Nigerian/Caribbean food)

@CarlasjE

We live in Hinckley, Leicestershire. It is predominantly white but no one blinks an eye if you're not! I am white and DH is Nigerian. We have 4 kids and haven't experienced any issues. We also have Leicester, Coventry and Birmingham close by when wanting to visit a city (and also Nigerian/Caribbean food)

Hello, can I please send you a PM? Thanks

Reading.
All the way.

I too am married to a nigerian hunk. We are a multi cultural family and I have always said I would live in a multicultural area. Lived in london years ago but now raising the kids in surrey and planning a move to reading in the very near future.

Very mixed area. And I have made sure the kids are going to a new mixed and diverse school. We are currently 45 mins train from waterloo and 30 mins drive from reading and I love it there. The university is great too. Shopping is fantastic, a huge primark. And so many others.

Hahaha, just seen you have already moved op. Excellent. How you are enjoying your new'ish home!!!!

Yes, no problem

My friends moved out of London to Bristol and are very happy there.

Hey lovely people

I was speaking to a colleague today who told me that she wants to move out of London like me and like soooooo many Londoners, since the pandemic.

She has two kinds, of primary school age and she is Caribbean while her partner is mixed heritage.

She told me that they viewed properties in Wellingborough and Newark and she liked both properties. Her partner though seems to like Grantham and Hinckley where he has visited previously but has no current connections there. He does not mind however to live where ever she settles with.

What are your thoughts? Their budget is £275k which is likely to purchase in any of these areas. She is more concerned about not living somewhere where her kids will feel too different.

These are not the areas I have considered myself and therefore have no info to share with her. So, I told her that I will ask you guys.

PS: she works from home a lot but she may need to commute once per week to London. She is also thinking of getting a job closer to home, if need be.

Please share your views.

Thanks as always

If your friend still wants to commute to London, Hinckley is doable or have they considered Rugby? It's a slightly more multicultural than Hinckley and only 20 mins away.
It has a fast train to Euston that only takes 50 mins. If you have any more questions about that general area, I'm happy to help!

@medicstudentmum

We have just moved to the West Midlands! We've ended up in a small village which is beautiful and has lots of lovely dog walks in open countryside, yet you can hop on a train and get to Birmingham in half an hour! Where we are it's about 10 miles from Leamington. The thing that attracted us to this area was the fact that there are lots of very good schools hereabouts

Where about is this, if you don't mind me asking. Thanks

@Newearringsplease

There's some nice places in Coventry and it's pretty diverse, and you can still visit Leamington Spa!

Can you please recommend some nice places in Coventry

@CarlasjE

If your friend still wants to commute to London, Hinckley is doable or have they considered Rugby? It's a slightly more multicultural than Hinckley and only 20 mins away. It has a fast train to Euston that only takes 50 mins. If you have any more questions about that general area, I'm happy to help!

Hello, Can I please send you a PM ?

Hello!

I've just moved from South London to Colchester with my 2yr old DD.
Looking to meet like-minded mothers from any cultural background (I'm British- Ghanaian if you need a label) who may also have just moved to the town.
I'm located in Lexden.

Been separated for almost 2 years and needed a fresh start for myself and child.
Very excited at the prospect but have no friends.

Steph Xx