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Original poster

Moving from London to Staffordshire

26 replies

eloquentsilence · 08/02/2022 15:11

Hi everyone

I'm considering leaving London and moving to Staffordshire. I have a child who will be two this year. I have been doing my research on areas but wondered if anybody had personal experience of Staffordshire and could recommend some nice, safe areas. I'm planning on taking a trip soon to scope out some different places.

Thanks in advance Smile

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PatterPaws · 08/02/2022 15:20

Lichfield is nice.

Lots of independent shops/cafés, lovely cathedral, small theatre, nice public parks, quaint museums, good schooling options for both state and private. Direct train lines to London and Birmingham.

GingerAndTheBiscuits · 08/02/2022 15:22

Staffs is huge so you probably need to tell us a bit more about what you’re looking for.

Original poster
eloquentsilence · 08/02/2022 15:27

@GingerAndTheBiscuits

Staffs is huge so you probably need to tell us a bit more about what you’re looking for.
Good schools, town centre/shopping centre, entertainment for young ones, good transport links I suppose would be most important
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Original poster
eloquentsilence · 08/02/2022 15:28

@PatterPaws

Lichfield is nice.

Lots of independent shops/cafés, lovely cathedral, small theatre, nice public parks, quaint museums, good schooling options for both state and private. Direct train lines to London and Birmingham.

Sounds lovely, thank you. Will add Lichfield to the list!
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GingerAndTheBiscuits · 08/02/2022 15:31

In that case I’d agree on Lichfield. I don’t know much about the north of the county but I’d say transport links definitely lacking in that direction.

BadgerB · 08/02/2022 18:43

At all costs avoid Stoke on Trent. Tho' I believe you can buy a house there for less than £30k. Not that you'd want to live there.

Just over the border in Derbyshire is Ashbourne, which is lovely. And, yes, Lichfield is good - cathedral, good schools.

ivykaty44 · 08/02/2022 18:57

Leek

Id say Congestion but its not Staffordshire, though close enough to Manchester for shopping and theatre etc

ivykaty44 · 08/02/2022 18:58

Congelton not congestion

FusciasBright21 · 08/02/2022 19:00

Avoid Cannock Chase 😬

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 08/02/2022 19:02

Newcastle has some really nice areas. Houses are well priced.

Not all areas of Stoke need to be avoided either Hmm

Stone is nice too. As well as Lichfield and areas of Stafford.

Rheopecticfluid · 08/02/2022 19:06

Stone is lovely.
Leek
Newcastle under Lyme.
Lichfield
Congleton also lovely although not quite Staffordshire / as is Buxton.
I quite like oakamoor, although it's probably a bit too isolated. Lovely walks though.

Rheopecticfluid · 08/02/2022 19:07

Not all areas of Stoke need to be avoided either

Definitely not. I like Stoke.

OneRingToRuleThemAll · 08/02/2022 19:08

I lived in Burton-on-Trent for 2 years between the ages of 9 and 11. It was the most boring place on the planet (for a child).

mum2jakie · 08/02/2022 19:09

Leek is lovely

Didisquat · 08/02/2022 19:09

Stafford…. You literally have Cannock chase on your doorstep and train links to anywhere.

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 08/02/2022 19:14

@Rheopecticfluid

Not all areas of Stoke need to be avoided either

Definitely not. I like Stoke.

You always get people slatting stoke on Mumsnet. As we've already had on this thread. Yes there are places you'd prefer not to live, but there are areas that are nice as well.
MollieSheep1 · 08/02/2022 19:27

We are currently renting in Stoke, due to buy in Oakamoor (we had to move quickly with work). Hoping to complete soon. We moved from the Southampton area so it's very different where we are now. I'd say levels of deprivation seem a bit higher (we lived on the edge of the New Forest, lots of money folk) here but people are so friendly and there's everything you would need (transport links, lots of super markets etc).
We looked all around Staffordshire to buy and it just depends what you are looking for really. All the places listed (Stone, Congleton, Leek etc.,) seemed like nice towns but we wanted to be somewhere a bit more rural.

EmergencyPoncho · 08/02/2022 19:39

My in laws live in Stone, it is very nice: villagey feel. Not too far from Birmingham or Manchester.

Rheopecticfluid · 08/02/2022 20:09

@MollieSheep1

We are currently renting in Stoke, due to buy in Oakamoor (we had to move quickly with work). Hoping to complete soon. We moved from the Southampton area so it's very different where we are now. I'd say levels of deprivation seem a bit higher (we lived on the edge of the New Forest, lots of money folk) here but people are so friendly and there's everything you would need (transport links, lots of super markets etc). We looked all around Staffordshire to buy and it just depends what you are looking for really. All the places listed (Stone, Congleton, Leek etc.,) seemed like nice towns but we wanted to be somewhere a bit more rural.
Oakamoor is so lovely. I nearly bought a place there once. It's supposed to be really magical at Christmas when Santa comes round on his sleigh. I used to live in Cheadle up the road, but sadly so many shops seem boarded up there now.
Original poster
eloquentsilence · 09/02/2022 09:13

@BadgerB

At all costs avoid Stoke on Trent. Tho' I believe you can buy a house there for less than £30k. Not that you'd want to live there.

Just over the border in Derbyshire is Ashbourne, which is lovely. And, yes, Lichfield is good - cathedral, good schools.

I'm considering Derbyshire too as I have family there, will probably have a look at some areas there! Thanks for your suggestion Smile
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Original poster
eloquentsilence · 09/02/2022 09:14

@ivykaty44

Leek

Id say Congestion but its not Staffordshire, though close enough to Manchester for shopping and theatre etc

Congestion made me laugh! I have looked at some properties online in Congleton, it does look nice so may have a drive around to scope it out Smile thank you!
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Original poster
eloquentsilence · 09/02/2022 09:18

I have looked online at properties in Newcastle and Stone, I'll definitely be visiting those areas when we travel up there. Thanks for the suggestions :)

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Original poster
eloquentsilence · 09/02/2022 09:19

@Rheopecticfluid

Stone is lovely. Leek Newcastle under Lyme. Lichfield Congleton also lovely although not quite Staffordshire / as is Buxton. I quite like oakamoor, although it's probably a bit too isolated. Lovely walks though.
Stone, Leek, Newcastle and Lichfield are all looking very popular! I think I will look at Congleton too as it has had a few mentions now. Thank you :)
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Original poster
eloquentsilence · 09/02/2022 09:21

@Didisquat

Stafford…. You literally have Cannock chase on your doorstep and train links to anywhere.
Cannock Chase looks lovely! Train links are a bonus too. Stafford will be added to the list Wink
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Original poster
eloquentsilence · 09/02/2022 09:26

@MollieSheep1

We are currently renting in Stoke, due to buy in Oakamoor (we had to move quickly with work). Hoping to complete soon. We moved from the Southampton area so it's very different where we are now. I'd say levels of deprivation seem a bit higher (we lived on the edge of the New Forest, lots of money folk) here but people are so friendly and there's everything you would need (transport links, lots of super markets etc). We looked all around Staffordshire to buy and it just depends what you are looking for really. All the places listed (Stone, Congleton, Leek etc.,) seemed like nice towns but we wanted to be somewhere a bit more rural.
I think we will have a look around Oakamoor too, it's nice to get a feel of lots of different areas so we can make a choice! We will rent initially and then look to buy. It's nice to hear that people are friendly - that isn't so common in SE London ... It looks like we have some nice areas to choose from Smile
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