Does anyone live in Pembrokeshire?

[diplodocus]

My DH seems to think the only way he can be happy long term is to move back to Pembrokeshire, where he spent his teenage years (he doesn't really know anyone there now, though except his mother and sister). I don't think this is a passing phase, as I originally hoped, so think I need to think seriously about it. I'm really wary of the idea - while I love the area as a holiday destination, it always seems really isolated to me, and I'd be worried I wouldn't find friends and that everyone else will be born and brought up in the area and know everyone. Some of my own family live there, and they're like that. I would probably have to commute to Swansea to get any chance of work as well. If any of you live there would you mind telling me how you find it? I'd be particularly interested to hear from anyone who moved there from outside the area. Thanks a lot.

Hi there, we've been living in Pembrokeshire for nearly 6 years. I love it, dh hates it. I find people here really friendly, being an incomer is not an issue. I love being near the sea, being able to walk in the countryside, and it is much less expensive to keep my horse here than it was in the south east. Although I live in a small town, there are several different playgroups. The schools where we live are excellent, and I feel safe when dh is away on business. Dh is a city boy and hates the feeling that everyone knows who he is, so we have the opposite problem in that he thinks that happiness lies in London, which is my idea of hell. As to work, it depends what you want to do. The vast majority of jobs in Pembrokeshire are tourism related - in my experience as an employer, I find it really difficult to find good people, so you never know what you might find. Pay is probably lower, but then so is the cost of living, with the exception of house prices in some areas, thanks to demand for second homes.

Roskva
Thanks for your reply - really helpful. Interesting and positive that you find people friendly to incomers. My area of work is quite specialised though, so not sure would be much use in the tourism industry.

My friend and her husband moved there from Cardiff about six years ago and they both love it. They live in a really isolated place - you have to drive for about 10 mins to find a pint of milk! They have a ds now and my friend didn't have any problem finding playgroups, etc. to go to.

I know so many people who would love to move there!

Hope it all works out, whatever you do.

If you are seriously thinking of moving, it might be an idea to spend a week or 2 here in the depths of winter - the world takes on a new perspective when you're taking the dog out in horizontal rain, plus the people you meet will almost certainly be locals, not tourists.

Also bear in mind that some parts of Pembrokeshire are Welsh speaking and some parts are English speaking - that can make a big difference if you are not a Welsh speaker. It's predominantly English speaking where I live, but I take dd to Welsh language playgroup from choice - I'm made very welcome even though I don't speak Welsh.

I moved to just outside of Tenby when I was 18. Most gorgeous scenery anywhere, fab beaches, etc. Tenby was an 18 year old's drinkers paradise.

But God I missed the shops. The only clothes shop in town was New Look (small branch). The only supermarket I believe was Kwik Save, although there is now a Tesco in Pembroke. We used to drive to Havorford West if we wanted to go shopping but it was a right trek getting there and to be honest wasn't much better. It does take time to drive anywhere.

This was 11 years ago so may have got better, I moved away after a year.

I do keep thinking about wanting to go back though. I'm used to living in a bigish city and know that I would miss the shops. But then I would get used to it and save a fortune! People are very friendly there and there does seem to be a lot for kids to do.

Haverfordwest is still rubbish for clothes shopping - I go to Carmarthen.