Are people from Cheltenham really unfriendly??

[ProjectGainsborough]

No, am not aiming for a flaming from locals, honest!

To explain, we are relocating back to the UK from abroad and trying to work out where to live. My ideal city is Bath, but it's a bit far away from family in Oxfordshire/Midlands.

On paper, Cheltenham looks like a great compromise - lovely architecture, great schools, cosmopolitan etc., but I don't know it at all. And I've come across a few sites online which suggest the local character is a bit unfriendly. Obviously we'll need to do some exploring of our own and rent for a bit when we do get back to England, but in the meantime, what are people's experiences of Cheltenham? Good? Bad?

I really like Ross on Wye too, and Herefordshire in general. My parents have a cottage that's about half way between Ross and Hereford so we spent a lot of time there as children. I don't know how easy it would be to find work there.

It's not particularly, but it's only an hour to Bristol / Cardiff / Birmingham....

Was brought up in the Forest but now I live in Cheltenham and really like it. Have lived here for about 7 years. Have also lived in Gloucester, as well as abroad in various countries as a teacher. I don't find it snooty really although I can see why some people think that as it is very expensive house wise (we rent) and there are some really rich people around. It can be very local, we live in an area that has loads going on locally and it does feel lovely. Dh is black and so dds are mixed race. Never had a problem. I have moved around so much since I was 19 (now 38) and this is the longest I have ever lived in the same place. Easy to get to lots of other places too.

What about Stroud?

That sounds encouraging, mizu can I be nosy and ask which areas you'd recommend? Never considered Stroud - will have a look, although depends on flooding, I guess.

We live just north of Cheltenham and love it. Plenty to do with kids, really good schools, fab shops, lots of evening stuff when you have the chance, and gorgeous scenery for dog-walking / weekend walks etc.
There are snobs / annoying people everywhere! We've lived in plenty of other places round the country, but I can't see us moving very far from here.
Good luck in your search. :)

Cheltenham is nice but expensive. Try Warwick as you get more for your money house price wise. Oxford is astronomically expensive and basically is like a suburb of London now and if you are not working in the University can feel quite unfriendly.

pmsl at "Gloucester is a real shithole, but at least it knows it"....so true!

I like Cheltenham for shopping but no experience beyond that.

Mind you even shopping there can give you an insight I suppose. On one trip we witnessed the extremes within a 100yds - on one hand you have the Cheltenham Ladies College girls shopping in the Promanade (all "daaaahling") and then round the corner we witnessed a real Jeremy Kyle-style showdown in the street outside Wilkinsons!

We are north I think, Live in Leckhampton. Charlton Kings also lovely, Tivoli and Lansdown too. Leckhampton is expensive - hence we rent - but we have been in this house for 4 years and we have a lovely community feel. Know our neighbours and the local primary is fab.

And really near countryside so long walks if you like that kind of thing.