Bristol or Cardiff ?

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Hi,
DH is going to be starting a new job in Newport in April

We have been considering the question of where to live: Cardiff or Bristol as they seem the nearest big cities.

I work from home at the moment. But, plan to be looking for other options soon. And for my work, Bristol seems like a better bet. But, I am told that commuting to Newport will be more time consuming from Bristol (than Cardiff)

DD will be 3 in May and goes to a Montessori school at the moment. In terms of expectations out of a city: would want something that is reasonably cosmopolitan, child-friendly, green spaces, things to do for a 3 year old, good pre-schools

Does anyone have any views that can help me please

The commute from Bristol is horrendous both on the train and driving. Both are very nice cities, but both are expensive, I think Bristol slightly more so than Cardiff. I think Cardiff city centre has a nicer feel to it. I don't know enough about the schools in both to advise you there. I would say Cardiff, but would look at some of the other places mentioned.

More on Monmouth, it is a really nice town. In addition to the Montessori there is a Waitrose, M&S food, COOP and Lidl, a small theatre, cinema and lots going on.

You could always live in Newport. It's not so bad if you choose carefully.

I'd choose Monmouth too

Don't rule out the Newport area. The city itself isn't wonderful but some places just outside are great. Caerleon, Usk, Ponthir, Langstone to name a few. The Ridgeway area of Newport is lovely.
School wise, Bassaleg and Caerleon comprehensive schools have excellent reputations but if you want private, check out Rougemont and Monmouth.

How about Ross on Wye?

What's Monmouth like for non-drivers?

Where in newport is the job? Think carefully about a commute along the m4 especially if thru the brynglas tunnels. It is a terrible bottleneck

Another one voting to stay wales side of bridge. Newport has awful reputation but has lots going on for kids. No end of drama, music, sporting opportunities. I live in one of places previous poster mentioned and my kids are in catchment for one of the schools she mentioned (they are primary at the moment). They have a great life here.

Oh and free prescriptions and free hospital parking in wales :)

I think we live in the same place Nono!

Monmouth itself is great for non drivers, we have sold one of our cars since moving here. Everything is walkable and the local buses are brilliant and regular. Getting out of Monmouth for non drivers is not great. There are regular buses to Newport, Abergavenny and Hereford which all have train stations but there is no train station in Monmouth.

Thanks everyone for the replies.

Have ruled out Bristol, as it doesn't seem like a sustainable option.

NoNoNoMYDoIt, DH's job is in Cwmbran.

Monmouth sounds like a very good option, particularly because of schooling.

At the moment, we are leaning towards a private schoo, which will take 3 yrs onwards. As the nursery costs work out roughly the same as a private school.
However, there aren't many options, as we want it to be mixed-gender and non-denominational. Kings Monkton is the only one that I managed to find which ticks both these boxes. I gather it had financial difficulties last year and was facing closure, but has since been taken over by a new owner. But, that apart, Does anyone know good/bad points abt the school.

We are planning a trip to do some groundwork on areas in Cardiff etc. Will include the other towns mentioned.

Look at rougemont school. If dh job is in Cwmbran, you could live in Caerleon and rougemont is in between. :)

I commuted Cwmbran to Bristol for a year. It wasn't great. Lots of long queues along the m4 as you come off at j25 which is just before the tunnels. I wouldn't recommend it.

Cardiff! We love it hear and have a great quality of life.

So many parks, Roath Park (with a boating lake), bute park (walk in a straight line for 30 minutes without knowing you are in a city), Heath Park (miniature railway opens once a month and the kids love it- cheap as chips).

Free concerts in the millenium centre.

I don't know a thing about Bristol except it's steep (in gradient).

The early years provision is all via the primary schools though- so difficult to access if you work.

DH does central cardiff to the far side of Newport. No traffic= 20 minutes. Bad day = 1hr30

Live in Newport and buy a castle?

Thanks everyone for your helpful responses. Really appreciate it.

As it happens though, somewhat unexpectedly, DH decided to continue with his current employer, due to a combination of factors. So, not moving to Cardiff, at least for now.It was all a bit chaotic for a couple of weeks, making the decision or rather changing the decision that we had made already.We had given notice at the property we are renting at the moment and viewings had started. Luckily, no one had made an offer yet.

I think it also depends on where the Newport office is. We live in central Bath and my husband spent a grumpy 2 years driving to Newport for a client.

He found he had to be on the road by 7:30am otherwise getting past Bristol on the m4 was hell (he'd aim for 6:30 - baby was usually awake anyway). Wales was fine because the offices were just off a junction east of Newport. Getting home was easy because he was leaving Newport at about 4pm.

That was a 4-5 years ago before they started playing about with the M4 in Bristol, though.