Best place to live with children?

[car25]

Very fed up of high house prices in the south east.

So now considering relocating, but where is the nicest/safest place to live and bring up children? Looking for good schools, friendly local community, would prefer village location but would consider small town.

Any advice gratefully received. Thanks

We couldn't speak French when we moved here, but we learnt and the people are very friendly and willing to help out. Submerging yourself in another language is the best way to learn.

I hope you Cumbrian lot on this thread know what you've done btw!!!

Rhu - You'd laugh if you saw me in France. Phrase book, dictionary and a confused expression.

Submerging yourself in a language is great if you have people who are willing to help you out. In Switzerland people either just spoke English to me or were curt when I couldn't manage to make myself understood. I truly have a "deaf ear" when it comes to language. Surprised I speak English to any degree.

Most of the French speak a fair bit of English, but if you try to speak French with them they really do appreciate your efforts. And the French are actually lovely people, if you ask for help they will actually bend over backwards to help you. Just one example (and a reason why I fell in love with this place), we were hitching for a lift to Chamonix in the Alps that was mentioned in our Lonely Planet Guide. We were picked up by this posh lady who just slung her golf clubs to one side in her boot to make room for our tatty backpacks. We told her where we were going, but instead she recommended a place just outside called Argentiere (I think!) that had a cheap gite because she said all the gites in Chamonix would be expensive. She not only drove us to the door (out of her way), but went into the place and made enquiries for us! That's just one example as I said.

We were warned about the French, but I think that's just English predjudice. So long as you make an effort with the language, they'd take you to their hearts!

I 'd really recommend switzerland for safe environment, friendly, great place for kids - forever outside playing, excellent transport, excellent location for travel to Austria, France, Germany, Italy..... And so far extremely happy with health care (docs even waited for me to get there at 6.30 on Friday night when ds had ear infection) and education. Language is an issue for adults tho, not kids. Depends on haw flexible you are.

I've lived in NE, midlands, Kent & London & nowhere comes close. It is a different life.