Where to live? Along the M5... Cheltenham, Worcester etc.

[CatsAndDIY]

Hi, I'm new and wasn't quite sure where to post this, so hope this is ok.
My partner and I are looking to move to somewhere along the M5, between Bristol and Birmingham, to be closer to family. Cheltenham seems the obvious choice, and there's also Worcester. Work would be either south Worcestershire or split between Cheltenham and Bristol, so would need to be near the train station in Cheltenham ideally. It's early days for us planning this, but can anyone living in these areas offer any insight? Specifically, as a same sex couple is there anywhere to be avoided/ recommended? Also, this move would potentially be permanent so having decent schools and family facilities is relatively important - though I'm aware much could change over time and we don't yet have children!! Thanks in advance!

We lived on Cheltenham for 5 years and absolutely loved it! We then lived overseas and when we came back, I was pregnant and we couldn't afford the good school area of Charlton Kings/Leckhampton so we've settled closer to hubby's work.

It's a wonder town with great shops and social scene, plus lots of cool festivals etc. We lived closer to Prestbury/Pittville and unfortunately the primary school there was terrible. The prices vary tremendously according to schools and period properties. It's still one of my favourite places and we may relocate there in the future

Oh yay... I'm Cheltenham..i agree with the above poster...love this town. Not sure there is any places to avoid because of same sex relationship (places to avoid because they are shitholes though! )

I'd recommend Hatherley as a place to live..close to station...super easy access to M5 and great schools! What's your budget? I'll find you somewhere

Worcester is lovely but it does flood so check the flood plains carefully.

Amazing, thanks all!
Definitely leaning more towards Cheltenham to be honest. Interesting about the Pittville school situation - we were amazed by what was available in our budget e.g. this house www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/44638903?search_identifier=437a2620ef56e4c0126dcb41fd9d18b0#KDVLUi0fsujiUI1B.97
Realistically we couldn't go higher than £500k at this stage. Will check out the other areas mentioned. Thank you all so much!

This is probably going to sound a bit random, but are you aware that Junction 11A is one of those annoying junctions that doesn't do the full on/off in both directions. You can't go southbound.

Have you considered Gloucester?

Pittville is a much improved school..the pastoral care there is amazing and it's now over subscribed. The problem with that side of town is the distance to m5. Though not significant.

Junction 11A is on and off. It's junction 10 that isn't

500k should get you a nice house in a nice area. Once I'll home...I will post some links.

We loved living in the Pittville area, so if the schools are better, go for it. The park is amazing and there's some great pubs. Plus not too far into town etc

Apologies for getting my Junction numbers wrong.

Senua - no worries, any and all input is greatly appreciated! :)
Thanks so much to everyone who has contributed. It's a big step, both in distance and lifestyle, so it's fantastic to have input from People Who Know even at this early stage in the process. We need to make some more trips to Cheltenham to really make sure it's right, though it did have a great feel from what we've seen already.
Pittville looks like it would be a good fit - ticks lots of boxes in terms of green space, period houses etc. Need to do some more research on the local schools...for my yet to be conceived child. Madness, but it matters.
If anyone has comments on other areas etc I'd love to hear! Thanks again, so so much.

I live in Worcester and love it here, but with your budget would probably go for Cheltenham considering the need to get to Bristol.

I would also strongly advise against Gloucester, there is a reason it is cheap in comparison!

I can't advise on specific areas in Cheltenham, but if Worcester comes back into the equation please pm me as I'd be happy to help.

I lived in Worcester most of my life, and moved to Cheltenham two years ago, I love both cities, and honestly don't think either would be a decision you'd regret.

Initially I was going to lean towards suggesting Worcester, purely because you'd get so much more choice property-wise without spending the earth....but with a budget of 500k you'd be absolutely fine in Cheltenham too!!

Both cities have loads of family friendly amenities- lovely parks, days out, beautiful countryside. Both cities have lovely shops, restaurants and bars.
Funnily enough we are moving today to a lovely family home near to the train station in Cheltenham!

Please do ask if you have any more specific questions about either city,

Oh- I wouldn't personally consider Gloucester though 😬. I've worked there for years, and although it has some nice parts, it's really very different to Cheltenham and Gloucester,

Oh, and I just realised I keep calling cheltenham a city. I do know it's not 😂

There seems to be a lot of investment going in to Gloucester at the moment. We're between Cheltenham and Gloucester. Sure, they are different. But both have their uses. If I want Joules or an artisan coffee, Cheltenham. If I need B&Q or outlet shopping, Gloucester.

I get a bit fed up with people running Gloucester down. The docks area is fantastic, and there are all the shops you could possibly want. Gloucester is very compact too, and has a more intimate feel than Cheltenham. Also the railway station is actually in the town centre, not stuck down a back street, miles away from the shops. Why do people seem to despise Gloucester? Is it because it has a large ethnic mix and quite a lot of sensibly priced houses? If it is because it is perceived as 'rough', well, Cheltenham, take a look at yourself, you are no better or worse in the 'roughness' stakes. By roughness I mean possibly neglected areas of housing and drunken/loutish behaviour in the street at night. It is only in the last 30 years that Cheltenham has been gentrified, and many areas in the centre used to be really run down. If you want value for money have a look around the Gloucester area, you may be pleasantly surprised.

Grew up in chelt and uni in Worcester, I agree with most people that Cheltenham is a great choice. Think you should get a decent garden in leclhampton, fairview is cute but smaller houses. Nice pubs on Bath road and friendly feel

I can only answer for myself regarding Gloucester. I work in a role related to crime and vulnerable people, and there is quite an unpleasant undercurrent of gang culture, drugs and exploitation in Gloucester that simply isn't there (or is much more patchy) in Worcester or cheltenham. I also think that large areas of the city are visually unattractive- eastern avenue/Metz way, east gate/west gate street, llanthony.

Of course, there are also large areas that are lovely, and lots of my lovely friends and colleagues live there. It's totally subjective, and I appreciate that lots of my opinions are linked to things that I wouldn't know if I didn't do my job,

Oh I do love a Cheltenham v Gloucester fight
The main issue with Gloucester is the senior schools... if your child isn't a grammar school quality pupil then your options can be limited.

Personally, I love that I can walk to the Cheltenham festivals and to a lovely array of independent restaurants.

I have lots of family in Gloucester and they are happy and moved there for the affordable housing stock but they didn't have 500k to spend!

How about Yate? A bit closer to Bristol but close to the M5 and M4 and it also has a train station.

Just want to say, it's not that we haven't considered Gloucester. If we moved to Gloucester I'd be travelling to Cheltenham daily for work and so it just wouldn't make sense for us to live there. My work is relatively specialist and the opportunities within our search area are really only in Cheltenham and Worcester - my partner works mostly from home so fortunately we only have one job location to navigate, alongside being fair to both families with distance, and finding somewhere we actually want to live. Sigh. We have been very spoilt in our current location, and lucky with our property choice, but always knew it wouldn't be our forever home. Will be sad to leave but feeling excited about the prospect of Cheltenham. Thanks again for your comments everyone.

I used to live near Gloucester (more towards the Forest of Dean) and I hated going to gloucester. The traffic, the pound shops, the lack of decent quality clothes stores etc. The quays is nice though. We used to go shopping in Cheltenham or Worcester. We are now moving to Worcester. We used to live there many years ago and missed it very much. We are going back for the facilities, good schools and stuff that goes on- e.g. Shows/fairs and events etc. You need a reasonable budget in Worcester if you want to live in the east of the city for the M5. My husband commutes into the centre of Bristol 3 days a week so message me for drive times etc. Anyway, for a detached 4 bed with good garden you'll need about £400,000 in Worcester on the east possibly more if it's in the outlining villages near where they will build the new railway station!

Am looking for accommodation in Chalterham or Worcestershire. Will be starting university soon. Any recommendations. Really struggling with the Agencies, houses go so fast.

Am looking for accommodation in Chalterham or Worcestershire. Will be starting university soon. Any recommendations. Really struggling with the Agencies, houses go so fast.

@Nkoe
It seldom works to bump an old thread - people look at the opening post and reply to that, not your question.
I recommend starting your own, new thread.