Suggestions for a good place to live???

[chiswickmum]

My DP and I are thinking about moving over the next few years. We are starting to research possible places. This is what we are looking for:

Good state primary and secondary schools which are supported by local parents;

A sense of community - this is difficult to define, but I suppose what I mean is somewhere where people are happy to talk to one another in passing and where there are plenty of local activities, which don't involve going to church (we are non-Christians, so it is not appropriate).

A good hospital

I don't know whether this is a tall order. It certainly doesn't apply to where we live now, except for the odd street. Does anyone think that they live in a place which meets these criteria?

Thanks
the possibility of buying a 3 bedroomed house for less than 400k

I'm in Clitheroe, beety - about 10 miles away I think. They had the County Show in Ribchester this summer - it got washed away on day 2, sadly, but they plan to try again next year (freak storm - nothing to do with Ribchester.) I can't remember what the church school there is called (most of the villages have a church school, too many to remember all their names) but it feeds into the Clitheroe secondary schools like all the others.

Does she like living in Blackburn?

sorry to interrupt the thread guys but codmeister, if you have something to say please say it to my fat face :D

anyway i cant do badly on a diet that doesnt start until monday

ds2 took the entrance exam for the Grammar School 4 weeks ago - 2 weeks before we hear - he's forgotten all about it but I haven't!

Why doesn't she move to Clitheroe? It's not that much dearer really - you have to be quick though these days.

beety, we got married in Stratford, reception at the Glebe in Barford (1994)!

sorry coddy not watching the thread too busy bearing my soul on another i live in kenilworth.

Lovely little place barford beety, where about's did you get married? where was the reception?

sorry just seen below.I'm from Yorkshire originally but love it here. What a coincidence.

Berks. I cannot particularly recommend it!

Parents still live in SonA so we go up there quite a bit.

Thought you might have been at the Glebe too - there aren't that many places in Barford. Hope you enjoyed yours as much as we did

Clitheroe is a wonderful place to raise kids - a bit too small for them when they get older and want to be be able to get away with things (), but it's a nice size to live in, friendly people, some superb shops, good schools etc. Not enough for teenagers to do but I think a lot of places are like that.

How old is her daughter? The grammar school takes 20 from outside the Ribble Valley but they usually have 150-200 going after those 20 places so they have to be very bright. There are 100 places for the Valley children - about another 200 go for those.

• but tonight you're having a druknen eveing at home?

Love your typing, beety (think I've mentioned that before!)

It isn't on Preston New Road is it?

beety - we used to hang out at The Windmill rather than the Vintner.

I'm off to watch the telly (DVD of Notting Hill, Christmas pressie from dh) so enough of this reminiscing.

Sorry to have been no use at all, chiswickmum.

I know, I've seen your photo! (and I don't think I know you from our SonA days).