Any Harrogate or Stroud mums?

[2ManyPimms]

We have decided that we MUST move now or settle down where we are.

Harrogate and Stroud are the contenders for our next (and final) move.

Problem is that I don't know ANYTHING at all about the area "from the horses mouth" (so to speak). I have all the information about schools, housing, community groups etc...but I need some "colour".

Anyone live in either of those areas or know someone who does?

Anyone in Stroud want a house swap to Harrogate??? Stroud sounds far more my sort of place

Ta, 'gators! I have my details in with a LOT of the agents and have been scanning the property websites on a daily basis. Once we have done a recce in a couple of weeks I'd be happy for you to send the papers down! Any suggestions for villages in the area?

Wisp - Which villages with good primary schools/secondary schools would you recommend? DS is 6 and DD is 3.

Used to live sort of near Stroud, and DH's family still do. I know that the 6th form college nearby is mixed and non-uniform BUT girls have to cover their shoulders!

I would have thought Stroud is less 'sophisticated' than Harrogate...(not neccessarily a criticism...)

Hi -I'm a Harrogater with good friends in Stroud. I'd agree with everything people have said about Hg. The only disadvantages of Hg compared to Stroud as far as I can see is the weather.

Seriously as a southener moved north I didn't ever consider the weather as a factor in where to move but the very long dark winters up here have seriously got us down and visiting family in the south has made us realise how very different the climate really is. Less access to London, the South West etc are also drawbacks for us because all our family are down there.

Also, beware - excellent high schools in Hg yes but only depending where you live or how much you 'do church'

There are some good primary schools in Stroud itself.
Also towns 10 minutes from Stroud like Nailsworth are lovely. We are looking to move to Nailsworth-which has a primary school in the town, but at 12 you then have to go to a secondary school in either Stroud, Gloucester, Tetbury or Cirencester. Theres also a private school in Nailsworth called the Acorn school, which we have considered alot for Ds1.
With your budget around the Stroud area will get you a detached house 4/5 bedrooms with a big garden. Or a georgeous cotswold stone cottage in Minchinhampton/Rodborough common which are the expensive areas 10 minutes from Stroud.(On national trust land with great views across the valley)
Have you looked at rightmove to get an idea?
HTH

2manyPimms, will you still talk to us now you're famous?

You look lovely, come to Harrogate

yeah - we are all lovely and I was told i was 'posh' today so thats another reason to come here!

We came to your lovely riverside park the other weekend NAO - was thinking of you; and wondering why you would come to the Valley Gardens when you had all that

We were supposed to go to Stroud today for a look around but something came up at the last minute. The next few weeks are booked up as well. (Drat!) I guess it is best to see areas at their darkest (from October onwards) and not during the sunny summer months.

What I have been hoping for was a no-chain home that we could close on quickly, like prior to Christmas so that DS could make the transition into school after the hols.

Watch this space, I guess!!!!!

Thinking of a move to Stroud - but can't quite get to the bottom of what sort of town it is - have seen a house quite close to town centre - but what about drugs/crime, etc ?