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Original poster

Should we move to Wales?

23 replies

damewalesornot · 29/09/2006 10:21

DH has been offered a job in Wales so we are trying to decide what to do. Advice wanted from those in the know please We both love Wales I been there on holiday lots and dh lived there between ages of 4 and 10. Main worry would be boys and school but think they would cope, ds1 is 7, ds 2 nearly 5 just started reception. Thoughts please

Oh and I am very excited about the idea so please don't tell me it rains lots in Wales

OP posts:

SSSandy · 29/09/2006 10:22

Think it depends where in Wales

Original poster

damewalesornot · 29/09/2006 10:26

Sorry it's near Borth which is not too far from Aberystwyth.

OP posts:

NomDePlume · 29/09/2006 10:29

I moved from Manchester to Wales as a child and hated it. Sorry. However, I was 11 when we moved so I was much more aware of the differences between semi-rural, small-town Wales and Manchester. I left home at 16 and moved back to Manchester ! My Mum still lives in Wales, it is nice to visit every now and again, but I wouldn't live there.

BTW, Borth is nicknamed 'Birmingham On Sea'

Original poster

damewalesornot · 29/09/2006 11:39

Nobody else?

OP posts:

portonovo · 29/09/2006 11:40

I love Borth! I spent 3 happy years at university in Aberystwyth, visiting Borth lots. We still visit the region quite often - we went back to Borth for a family holiday a few years ago, and might go back again next year.

Personally, I would live there again, but everyone's different. Borth is quiet, Aber is a bit busier, especially in the tourist season, but still not as touristy as most holiday resorts. And the whole area of mid-Wales is gorgeous.

What sort of place do you like to live in? Do you want rural or lots of bustle? Do you have lots of family and friends near you now that you would really miss, or is that not a huge factor?

When do you need to decide by? I would look online for things like schools and other amenities to give you some idea of what's around. But most importantly, go and visit for a long weekend if you can and get a feel for it.

As far as the children go, they are young enough to adapt I think, it's not like moving them just before GCSEs or anything like that.

And it doesn't always rain in Wales!

bubblepop · 29/09/2006 12:26

hiya. is'nt wales beautiful, i love it. a work colleague lived there once, sorry not sure of the area. she found it very hard to make friends, as she was seen as an outsider.. the other mums would ignore her on the playground and talk in welsh when she was around,even though they spoke english aswell, so it was almost deliberate from her point of view. the kids were bullied for being 'english'. im sorry if this all sounds negative.

Lucybug · 29/09/2006 12:40

Ohh....we live near Aberystwyth. We moved 3 years ago from Coventry. Best thing we ever did! My eldest daughter is 5, and is coping fine at school...it is all Welsh speaking (I can't speak it)
My advice would be to go for it...its lovely out here. Borth is a nice spot... I nearly lived there as a student. Good Animalarium there too!
Go for it!

Original poster

damewalesornot · 29/09/2006 12:45

Like the idea of a village.
Lucybug we are in rugby at the mo is the school completely welsh speaking? From looking on the web it seems that some schools are welsh speaking and some teach it as a second language, not sure it would be fair to drop mine into a school where everything was taught in welsh.

OP posts:

Lucybug · 29/09/2006 12:46

Ah bubble I'm sorry to hear about your friend. You do get the odd person who makes you feel uncomfortable but on the whole the welsh are lovely I have found. There are loads of us english in our village though and a lot of the welsh are more accomodating towards you if you make an effort. I forced myself to go to our local mother/toddler group and after a few weeks It was all fine.

NomDePlume · 29/09/2006 12:49

I went to an English speaking primary school (regulr Welsh lessons on the curriculum) with a Welsh Unit (Welsh speaking).

I also went to an English speaking secondary school. There was a Welsh speaking secondary for those who spoke Welsh as a first language.

This was also in Mid Wales (although much further inland)

Lucybug · 29/09/2006 12:52

We live about 15 miles out of Aber...very small village called Pontrhydfendigaid (mouthful) our school and the nursery are welsh speaking which is compulsary till the age of 7, then they get taught English as a lesson. In Aber there are schools which are Welsh/English mixed,but english is the main language. I wouldn't worry too much about the language barrier though, My dd can't speak welsh fluently but the teachers have a high percentage of english speakers in the class so they do speak in english too.

redshoes · 05/10/2006 20:01

We are thinking of moving to Wales! To rural area 40 mins North of Swansea (near Black Mountains). Our reasons for moving would be: more space (looking at smallholdings), cleaner air, beautiful scenery, more peaceful way of life. Our doubts: ds 14 just starting 2-year gcse course (younger ones don't think it matters - they will adapt), missing family/friends and the general bustle and convenience of city life. Tough decision.

WelshBOOris · 05/10/2006 20:06

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Original poster

damewalesornot · 06/10/2006 11:00

Spent yesterday there, got wet, still loved it
My main concern is will my 7yr old(yr3) and 5yr old(reception) be alright in school? They seem to be mostly welsh speaking, which is fine it is Wales after all but I wonder how they would cope and if it would make the move more stressfull for them.
Anyway it looks like we are going just not yet, DH will be coming home at weekends for a bit.
WB do you think maybe yes?

OP posts:

IvortheEngine · 06/10/2006 11:09

damewalesornot - I've just spotted this thread. Sorry I didn't spot it earlier. I'm a (now) local so I can advise you on the schools in the Borth area and housing and stuff.

Original poster

damewalesornot · 06/10/2006 11:14

That sounds great ivor
DH is looking for somewhere cheap to stay 4 nights a week any thoughts? Was thinking of getting a caravan and parking it on a site for a few months but the ones we found all close for the winter, looking at b&b but then he would have to eat out all of the time not sure what he's going to do yet.

OP posts:

Original poster

damewalesornot · 06/10/2006 11:16

Oh and the job is in Tre'r-ddol which I haven't quite worked out how to say yet

OP posts:

IvortheEngine · 06/10/2006 11:21

Hmmm. I'd have to think about where to stay. Most people I know who have to stay in the area prior to moving get an allowance per night that pays for the B&B and evening meal out. Will your dh get that? If so, what's the allowance?

IvortheEngine · 06/10/2006 11:39

I've e-mailed you. Get yourself a cup of tea ready as it's a long read!

damewashalot · 06/10/2006 11:43

OH dear, did you see my message on other thread

damewashalot · 06/10/2006 11:45

Very should read stuff before I post, is it still in your sent items foulder???? Sorry!

IvortheEngine · 06/10/2006 11:51

I've just sent it again. Let me know if you don't receive the second one. It is marked as the second one, too.

SPACEdoutZombieCADET · 06/10/2006 11:56

i live in north wales not west wales so cant comment on that area, but ive recently moved back to wales and am very pleased that i did.
heres some info on aber and also borth

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