I think we're moving to Salisbury!

[kittykatz]

Hi all, my OH has been offered a job in Salisbury and, whilst moving wasn't on my list of things to do this year (we're currently in Cambridgeshire), it's a bit of an opportunity not to be missed. My biggest concern is finding a new school for September for my 5yo DD and then finding somewhere to rent around that. I'd prefer a village location or a quiet part of the city - we have 2 nervous cats - so if anyone can help with any advice and suggestions I would be very grateful.

OMG...........all I can say, it is pushy parent tastic, competitive, academically driven schooling, a selective education system at secondary level (i.e. grammars), prep schools and private tuition to push children in to them and oh, yes, don't forget the faith schools. The church runs everything round here.

So, welcome!

If however, you have a 4x4 and tousled haired boden brats, vote Tory, think it's dog eat dog even for children and are looking for a place without any soul or independence of thought etc etc you will fit in fine

I agree with curiousdog!

Move to the New Forest. It's so much nicer than Salisbury. And the people are fab!

Kitty, it is not really a city in size, just a town really so it's all pretty quiet.

It depends what you're after in terms of housing. The housing stock is not great and people all want to live in a couple of areas.

Old terraces ( a couple of streets worth)inside ring road terraces fetch around 300k.

Castle rd area has 1930s semis for around 275+.

Harnham has some nice properties but they rarely become available - 230+ for an old semi, 300 for detached

There are two main newer estates - Bishopdown Farm and Harnham - both are popular and both fetch 250 for 3 bed semi, 300 for a 4.

Schools - Wyndham Park and St Marks (crammar for the grammar)

Greentrees on Bishopdown Farm - better - got outstanding in its Ofsted

St Andrew's Laverstock is a nice, friendly little juniors

People seem to like Woodford Valley

Sorry to be so pessimistic but I hate the place and I live here!

There are some lovely places just south of Salisbury like Godshill and Ellingham although they may be a 30min commute to Salisbury and are more New Forest area which is lovely but I would say that as I live there too...

Lol at church runs everything.

Tis true! God's own mafia, creationism, you name it, there are two non-faith schools in the whole of the city and even the high schools are dominated by the church. See this link www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/4997422.Controversial_choice_for_academy_headship/

They'll even take on people no other schools will touch if they follow the party line.

Hampshire is good as you'll keep away from the grammar schools. They bus 11 year olds out of Salisbury 'over the border' to avoid the tripartite system here.....

I live 30 mins from Salisbury - there are lots of nice villages within that distance.

I wouldn't want to live in Salisbury itself.

Do you want to be right in Salisbury or is your DH happy with a small commute?

Sorry, I know you said you would consider a village. My question was really how close does the village have to be?

Kittykatz

I have lived in Salisbury for years. It has its downsides like anywhere but I don't recognise the church-dominated picture that curiousdog paints.

Do be aware of the grammar school system and resultant stress though.

DH already commutes about 30 mins so that distance shouldn't be a problem. I'd prefer a village, we've lived in this one for nearly 10 years and love the school and the atmosphere. Some villages can be a bit claustrophobic but that's what my car's for...

Thanks for all your helpful comments. I've never been to Salisbury so I didn't have a clue what to expect. Now I can start to plan and have an idea of what to avoid.

Amesbury is nice! 20 mins from Salisbury.

I am 40 mins from Salisbury and really like it, we are frequent visitors. We have discussed moving there, infact there was a teaching job that I considered out there but I am too happy where I am.

I don't like grammar schools, don't vote tory oe drive a 4x4. I do go to church and wear boden though so maybe they would have me.

wastwinset...if you don't like grammars, this is really not the place for you...you really don't see this if you do not live here, it devours the primary ed system. Be warned!!

Bootoyou...how many schools in Salisbury are non-faith schools? In terms of education, the school has it completely stitched up. But then it amazes me how few are concerned by things like that, particularly if the school has a good reputation for getting kids through the 11+.

Julezboo....you are kidding right?? No offence

LOL curiousdog, my thoughts exactly

Regarding the faith schools, it's just something that never occurred to me. I presumed it was the norm iyswim. I also thought nothing more than lip-service was paid to religion even in c of e schools. Am intrigued about where creationism is afoot!

Kittykatz, have a look at Downton/Woodfalls/Redlynch. Lovely family communities, and Morgans Vale School is outstanding. 8 miles from Salisbury, but right on the border of the New Forest so best of both worlds.

I grew up there and was educated in Salisbury, and would be very happy to move back. I think it's got a really nice vibe about it (albeit rather middle class, but then it is a cathedral city with a selective education system, which all seem to go hand in hand!).

Good luck with your search (fully agree with Curious about Amesbury, btw...).

Boo2 see my post on the religion in schools - there is a particular church in Salisbury which is very evangelical and, some say, creationist, it has just had a new extension and attracts big groups of aspirational professionals. Very strange sermons on its website and very strange exclusivity amongst 'followers'.....I shall say no more

My one fact about Salisbury is they have a Lakeland shop.

HTH

'competitive, academically driven schooling, a selective education system at secondary level (i.e. grammars), prep schools and private tuition to push children in to them and oh, yes, don't forget the faith schools.'

SO it sounds like a good place to move to if you have clever children and want them to do well at academic subjects. What's wrong with that?

Thank you all so much for a terrific response. I now have some idea about Salisbury and the surrounding area. DH and I are hoping to have a look around as far as the New Forest area and I feel a lot more positive (rather than scared witless!) at the whole prospect. School-wise, I suspect DD would be happier outside Salisbury so we'll be having a close look at this as an option. Again, many thanks.

I have a daughter who is clever and I hope she will do well in academic subjects but will do all I can to keep her out of the grammar based on my knowledge of them round here.

I would think that if you were the clever mother of clever children, then you'd be smart enough to understand that 'competitive, academically driven schooling' where kids pay their way in because they've been tutored up to the eyeballs is not the same thing as a school environment which fosters genuine creativity and intelligence.

My experience of Salisbury is:

Rote learning and teaching to the test - tick.

Independent thought - forget it.

You should see the uniforms and the idenitkit hair the girls have.....all long and tossy a la 1980s sloanes.

SO abride.....be my guest....Salisbury awaits you!

I like Salisbury nice atmosphere I've made a lot of friend.. Afraid the Church thing is a bit full on, all play groups, nurseries and schools seem to have links, but we've escaped getting too involved. I like the schools we looked at 7 before they started.. you get a feel for which one is going to suit you and your child very quickly. Loved Downton & Fovent lived in both for about a year. All the villages as the other posters have said are lovely. I also like Wilton dispite the bottleneck traffic problems. We're walking distance to the 'city' centre now and I LOVE it
I have social free thinking happy children dressed mosly in Tesco's and Primark and have made a lot of very dear friends here.

My goodness, I wasn't aware there were so many Salisbury mumsnetters around! Rather restores my faith!

Mousehole...you are right about the restaurants. Very hard for when you do get a baby sitter.