Stamford / Market Deeping, S Lincs

[imabeautifulfennelcalledjoan]

There's a chance we may need to move to the Peterborough area for work. We wouldn't want to live in the city itself. We live in a gorgeous Herts market town at the moment and want to find something similar. Stamford looks perfect but pricey! We also like the look of The Deepings. Primary schools are important. Anyone know these two towns / areas? Thank you!

[imabeautifulfennelcalledjoan]

Thank you. Stamford does sound lovely. We're actually moving to Newark in two weeks. We decided that it was better suited to our needs and budget. But we're looking forward to day trips to Stamford and Oakham once we move. We loved Rutland Water.

[Hugobear2014]

Hi I am also originally from Yorkshire and live in Stamford. It is a wonderful place to live! By far the nicest place in the area and worth paying a bit extra in my opinion. We live in a spacious three bed townhouse within walking distance to town (currently valued at around £230,000). Stamford has a really great choice of shops, pubs and restaurants and is always a good night out on the weekend. Market deeping is a cheaper option but still okay, but nothing like the range of pubs etc

[imabeautifulfennelcalledjoan]

That is something to think about. Although we live about the same distance to the East Coast mainline at the moment (in Herts) and it's not a problem for us.

It's more what the general area is like. I got a sense that there is a real community feel centered around the school which is great. We also loved the playground and there was a sign for a community gardening day there think which sounds very cute.

[WhoTheFuckIsSimon]

I don't know newark well enough for specific roads but I have friends in new balderton who are very happy and that's very close to barnby rd from looking at a map. How close is the main East Coast line?? Can you hear the trains?? They go all night pretty much.

[imabeautifulfennelcalledjoan]

I realise Barnby Road is really long so this may be a silly question! I mean the Barnby Road area close to Barnby Road school.

[imabeautifulfennelcalledjoan]

OP here. We're in Newark this weekend and really like it. We think it's the right place for us.

Our house is on the market and we've found a house almost on top of Barnby Road school. We really like that immediate area and the playground opposite the school is gorgeous.

But can anyone tell me what the Barnby Road area is like in general? Is it quiet? Safe?

Any pointers would be so helpful! Thank you.

[imabeautifulfennelcalledjoan]

Thank you. That's good to know. We've seen some gorgeous properties on there but the road put us off. We've found a house almost next door to Barnby Road which we really like. I hope it would mean she'd get in but I will give them a call.

[dotty2]

Yes, I grew up in a big Northern city and moved to London before I lived in Newark so I guess it just depends what you're used to.

My kids are at the older end of primary and when we were applying we couldn't get into Barnby Road (just out of catchment). However, it has since gone up to a 3 class intake, so I don't know what the current situation is - I'd call and ask if I were you.

London Road has a fairly constant flow of traffic, but it's a 30 limit. It's not 'very busy' by big city standards. , except if the A1 is closed and traffic gets diverted through the town then it's a nightmare - but that's only once every couple of months if that. I know a couple of people who live on London Road itself and they find it OK for traffic noise as far as I know - the houses there tend to have quite big front gardens so are set reasonably well back.

[imabeautifulfennelcalledjoan]

Thanks. This is what i had read - about the traveller site. And I sort of hated myself for being concerned. We lived in London for a decade amongst all nationalities and walks of life and we loved it.

We are looking at the London Road area a we like the styles of properties. Am I right in thinking that London Road itself is very busy? We have seen houses on the actual road but am worried about parking and safety with two small kids. Do you have any experience with the schools in that area? Barnby Road looks good but i am guessing that it is probably oversubscribed. DD needs a place for reception in September.

[dotty2]

We live near London Road and love it. There is a big traveller community in Newark but I have never found this to be any kind of problem (have seen people previously on MN saying that they wouldn't live in Newark because of the travellers and am frankly surprised people could be so overtly prejudiced). There are so many incomers of all sorts now - commuters, Eastern Europeans etc - that it's much more mixed than it was 15-20 years ago, when the majority of families had been here for generations and it was a bit insular. Lovely to be able to walk into town, great road and rail links. Nottingham just a hop away for big city stuff - and the train service in that direction is much improved now. Secondary schools in town itself are still not great, but there are good options not too far away in every direction.

[imabeautifulfennelcalledjoan]

Fab. Thanks for the pointers. DH has agreed to go up and have a look. I'm hoping that we'll be dazzled by the bright lights of Newark and that this is the answer to all our problems!

[MrsPnut]

Balderton and New Balderton are really nice, I think they are very family friendly.
Wellington Road is the other side of the railway lines from where DD lived, they were on Tudor Close.

[imabeautifulfennelcalledjoan]

Ha! I'd appreciate that, MrsPnut. So is the general consensus that it's a nice place to raise kids?

And any lovely areas within a mile of Newark North gate? Any to avoid?

London Road looks gorgeous and I've seen a lovely property on Wellington Road very close to the station.

[MrsPnut]

Newark town centre is great, especially the market on a saturday and the transport links are amazing. Actually my daughter lived in Newark for a few months (before she split up with her boyfriend) They lived near B&Q and the area was quite quiet. I shall ask her when she appears from her bedroom. :o

[WhoTheFuckIsSimon]

I think the tolney lane residents keep the,selves to themselves. As long as you're not backing onto it you'll be fine.

[imabeautifulfennelcalledjoan]

Can you tell I'm a bit stressed at the moment?!😂

Pass the gin please, someone....

[OliviaBenson]

Tolney lane is one area- don't worry about it! Newark is lovely.

[imabeautifulfennelcalledjoan]

Thank you. This is really reassuring. We could afford the house of our dreams in Newark. In Oakham we'd be stretching ourselves.

I have read the Tolney Lane area is a problem in Newark. Just read this on another thread. Does anyone have experience of this?

[MrsPnut]

I haven't noticed Newark being unwelcoming. I don't live there but live in a village about 20 minutes from Newark and it is absolutely fine.
There have been a lot of people moving up from the south because a commute to kings cross is only 1hr 15m but I've never heard of any tension. My OH works with some people that live in the town.

There are other villages around Newark that you can use to attend events and groups, you aren't tied there forever.

[imabeautifulfennelcalledjoan]

Thank you. I assumed it was but this has just stuck in DH's mind even though every time we've visited, we've loved it there.

He's also worried about secondary education but as ours are three years and four months, I'm not overly stressing. We just need to focus on a good primary for now.

The houses I've seen there look perfect for us. Also the train links are fantastic. And it looks lovely and buzzing.

[WhoTheFuckIsSimon]

Newark is fine, it's plenty friendly enough.

[imabeautifulfennelcalledjoan]

My mum could travel on the train to Newark in an hour and a half. Oakham would take much longer. I am finding it hard with two kids without any family nearby. I am worried that Oakham will leave me more isolated. I'm fact, I know that it will!

[imabeautifulfennelcalledjoan]

We can't stay where we are because three beds around here are now close to £400k. Some at £375 which need work. We just can't afford it. It's a difficult situation! Feeling a bit all over the place.

Do your friends like Newark? .I think it seems perfect except for the secondary school situation.

[imabeautifulfennelcalledjoan]

The houses in Newark are sooo lovely. But SIL, who lives near there, told DH that it's not very welcoming to incomers, especially southerners. I'm a northerner but he is from Essex....

I'm also being indecisive because I'm still a bit hormonal, having only had DS in October.

[LizardBreath]

Oh dear op, is staying where you are an option?

I know there is a big new build estate (prob good 20 min walk from town) in Stamford, which may have some properties in that bracket. It's called Stamford manor I think.

Fwiw I have two friends recently moved to Newark due to the fact they can get much bigger houses for their money, but really don't know much about it!