anyone live in taunton

[CKMUM]

I wondered what it's like living there? Is it easy to get a council property, where I live now, you start off in grotty emergency accomodation, then go to second stage and then as soon as they find you a permanent place you have to move on without 28 days even if you can't afford to pay for removals! (I am fleeing domestic violence so should be eligible, taunton is far enough away from him and I have family there for support).

I also wondered what it's like for toddler groups or Sure Start?

What is public transport like, are the buses low floor so you can get on without folding the pushchair (I have a very heavy difficult to fold double buggy)

bump

Hiya.

I ddid live nearby, and I plan to go back nearish (Ilminster probably) at some point in future. Still heavily involved with a social thing there, so go back every other week (studying in South wales at mo).

They do the low floor buses yes, used to catch one every day. And there is a good Surestart there, used to link-work with them.

I don't think it's relatively hard to get a house there if you go HA, but I don't think anywhere is easy. There are also some pretty bad estates (inner and outer circle and a few more), but on the whole it's OK.

I used to work in bridgwater (10 miles away) and we got a client via Sure Start there who was in a similar situation re: domestic abuse to yourself, her relocation was organised by the refuge and then surestart / refuge / homestart put in place lots of help re moving, support, getting her to meet people. I think she settled relatively well.

First thing would be to call Taunton Deane Council, and maybe shelter for advice. because you have family there they should be able to help. And if you get any potential addresses, post them back as my sister knows the area very well (her fil has a business there).

I do know somerset has the emergency accomodation thing (at least bridgwater did, different ha's though) but the 2nd stage didn't seem to be around: it was a few (3?) years ago, but when you got a house, it was yours, generally. So that might help.

more questions.

Who do you pay water rates t if you live in taunton? I know it sonds daft but i preferred severn trent as i used to pay 15 a month there. Where i live now it's thames water and costs 45 a month.

anyone know anything else about cost of living intaunton?c

and how hard is the water? here it costs me a fortune in washing up liquid etc as need to use loads to get any suds as water so hard and mine and girls' skin is so chapped and sore!