If you live in or near Shepton Mallet and Trowbridge or know the general areas, would you be able to tell me what you think of these properties please?

[ComtesseDeSpair]

I was brought up in Bath where my parents still live, spent most of my 20s in London before moving to the Central Belt of Scotland where I am now. I want to move back closer to my parents; but there's no way I can afford to live in Bath itself. So I've been considering Trowbridge, Westbury, Frome and Shepton Mallet, and Shepton Mallet seems to offer the best value for money property wise - although I have no idea if that's because it's a bloody awful place!

Schools aren't an issue and my job means I'm an essential car user, so excellent public transport links aren't essential. I've lived on a couple of pretty notorious London estates, so areas being "a bit rough" by Bath standards probably won't faze me too much either - although obviously I wouldn't want to live anywhere known for being really troublesome. I'm easy to please, really - I just want easy access to a few decent bars and restaurants, a local gym, and to be within 25 miles or so of Bath. Do any of these meet my criteria? I'm planning a visit down next week to do some viewings and don't want to be booking viewings of places which would be a waste of time to look at. Would happily accept suggestions of other areas in the Bath surrounds where I can get a half-decent two-bed flat or house for under £130,000. Thanks :)

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-50547470.html

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-47692343.html

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-46116142.html

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-46787545.html

What about this little cutie? Great area.

The bedroom and bathroom look massive so I reckon you could have a cheap re-jig of upstairs and make it into a 2 bed.

The Hill Street one is on a very busy road, but very central in an up and coming area.
The Willow Grove one is right by the college and a hike into town. Trowbridge has excellent facilities and many new developments underway. Good public transport links etc.

Shepton Mallet is a pain in the arse to get to.

I might be biased

That is a cutie - I think I'll add it to my short list. Ideally I'd like the second bedroom without having to do a lot of work but would consider a one-bed if it's a lovely character property otherwise. Thankyou!

The cutie is in Sherborne. Sherborne is a gazillion times nicer than Shepton Mallet!

Stroud might interest you. Within your budget and area. For example:

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-48227422.html

Stroud also has cafes and a nice food market on the weekend.

Yup, you can't really compare being able to walk into Sherborne with being able to walk into Shepton.

I like these two as well. I don't actually know Devizes but it is nearer to Bath if that is a priority.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-44463133.html

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-47505403.html

You'll have trouble finding nice little bars in Shepton I'm afraid. It is a beautiful town in the older parts though.

Looking at your criteria Comtesse I'd go for Frome. Best chance of decent bars/cafes etc.

How about this one?
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-48325951.html

Your second link, the bungalow, looks like it has a ton of potential if the area's right for you. That garden - wow!
I may be a lone voice here but I'd never go for a flat if I had the budget for a house.

Shepton is a last resort I would say. I'll have a look on rightmove and see if I can find any better options for you. Frome is lovely if you can find anything there

Just outside Wells (Wells is beautiful) horrington

Not exactly aspirational but much better than Shepton midsomer norton. Not good for bars/restaurants but you would find decent country pubs nearby

Sorry OP but the "cutie" is sold STC - unless that's you who's moved v quickly and snapped it up!

3 bed shared ownership in frome

Sherborne is about a 35 minute drive from shepton and about 45 minutes from trowbridge and even further from bath so i don't really know why Sherborne was thrown in to the mix, makes no sense to me.

i used to live in shepton, its not got a great rep although they have thrown money at it recently. I quite liked living there as its quite quirky and near lots of places. But there are nicer areas around......midsomer Norton, wells, even parts of Frome.

i live in Sherborne now (also my home town) so can give lots of advice there, but i wouldn't class it as near to bath and doesn't really fit any of your criteria.