Relocation, relocation, relocation... does anyone have any advice on choosing a new place to live?

[Frieda]

DH has just accepted a new job in the West Country. We've both been in London since the year dot, but it's just too far to commute (esp from the side of London we live). And DH has rashly promised DS a dog when we move, so I guess we're looking at somewhere country-ish, but I don't want to be somewhere where the only human contact I get is a fleeting glimpse of the postman through the letterbox.

One problem is, neither of us knows the West Country ? or where to start when it comes to finding out about schools (I'd like to be in catchment distance of a decent state secondary) or what different towns/villages are like, which ones have thriving communities, etc.

We'll probably be renting to start with (we need to sell our London house, which is at the moment being held up by accro props as the builders have just ripped out our stairs!), but I'd rather not uproot DS twice from school, so would like to find somewhere we can anticipate living happily for a fair few years.

I've had a bit of a browse on upmystreet, which is quite interesting but, to be honest, I find all the statistics a bit baffling. If anyone knows of any other good websites or has any research advice, or tips about relocating, I'd love to hear them. I guess I need to draw up some kind of priority list, but I'm not really sure what to put on it ? if anyone can help me I'd be eternally thankful. At the moment, I'm feeling like a rabbit caught in the headlights!

First question, Frieda - where is the job exactly? (Big place, the West Country!)

Congratulations though, it will be very different for you all but I hope you'll love it. (Don't tell beetroot, she is desperate to move the other way...)

Thanks for your posts ? Sorry about the delay in responding ? trying to wrap pressies, make mince pies and get ready for party all at the same time...

Job is in Chippenham, and vaguely thinking of being the Bath/Bristol side, which might facilitate me getting some gainful employ, but DH doesn't mind a bit of a commute (particularly as his job will entail travelling around the area a bit).

Oh, and would consider either state or private (so long as not too poncey) for secondary ed.

Hi Frieda, I live in Bristol and my mum lives in Chippenham, I seem to think there was some discussion about Chippenham recently, will see if I can find it in a minute. It would be a bit small for me but it depends on what you want. It's a good 45 minutes nearer London than Bristol though if you think that'll matter and property is reasonably cheap there. I don't know about schools but I think the other thread mentioned it. It depends on your criteria I suppose. I prefer Bristol to Bath (have lived in Bath too) and I'd prefer Bristol over Chippenham but it's hard to say without knowing more about what you want! If you moved to Chippenham you'd probably be nearer Swindon than Bristol for work for you (but I'm not positive on that tbh).

Oh, I think you've seen the other thread but anyway it's here

try upmystreet.com .. you put in the postcode and it tells you a little about the area .. schools / demographics / facilities etc

Hi. dh has just been offered a job in Cardiff whihc would mean a move from the n.w. I have had another thread about this, so won't go into details, but there might be a relocation for us too, so this is quite interesting for me. Souns like we're all doing it!

Try looking at the local councils website. It will have a section on all hte schools, probably with links to their ofsted reports etc.
Also, why not ring up some local estate agents? They can probably advise you on areas - obviously take their advice with a pinch of salt as they may just be desparate to get rid of a house in a particular area, but if they all say certain areas/schools are good its probably true. And get them to start sending you details, then you can form a better idea of what sort of thing is available and in what price ranges, even if you don't want to buy yet.

We relocated 4 years ago, and Dh's employers were very helpful with useful information about areas, schooling etc, perhaps your DH could speak to his?

Worth taking a look at Malmesbury (lovely market town) as an alternative to Chippenham if Chippenham doesn't take your fancy. Brinkworth is a lovely village nearby to Chippenham that I know - the countryside around there is stunning. I think Henry George (estate agents) cover around there.

We just relocated from london out West & are loving it!

Thanks all of you for some very helpful pointers.You lot have really helped me feel a little less daunted (and perhaps even a little excited ) at the prospect of our big move. I'll get onto the estate agents in the morning and check out the council etc for schools. And ask DH to see if his new employers have any advice.

Many, many thanks all of you

Now back to those pesky mince pies.... why do they always disappear the moment they come out of the oven? I feel like a bloomin' christmas conveyor belt!!

I live in Bristol as well and like where I live. My husband is from quite a popular town (Keynsham) which is half way between Bristol and Bath and has a very good state secondary school called The Wellsway. You can check it out on the Ofsted site. In was brought up in Thornbury which might be a bit off teh beaten track for your DHs commute but there are two good schools there as well (The Castle School and Marlwood).

HTH!

Thanks for that, WCL ? v helpful.

I don't suppose anyone knows anything about Bradford on Avon? There seems to be a v good school there (St Lawrence), but I don't know much about the town.

Bradford on Avon is very nice - I don't live there, but go there for work fairly regularly. As you say, St Laurence's is a good school, shops are nice, farmer's market, big & very historic Tithe barn, pretty river etc. Traffic can be a nightmare though as there are some really narrow bits through the town. Corsham (nearer to Chippenham) is nice too, or Frome (over the border into Somerset) - all a similar size, small market towns, smaller than Chippenham itself.

Ooh, thanks, Bramshott. I'll definitely put those places on my list for when we go down to do a recce.

All I know about BOA is it is very pretty!