what's it like living in the valleys of South Wales?

[catbills]

Hi mums,
I'm considering a radicle house move to South Wales because it's the nearest place I might actually be able to own my own home. I have visited many times but would love to hear from anyone living in places such as Mountain Ash, Merthyr Tydfil, Ebbw Vale, Abertillery, Tredegar, Aberdare, phillipstown, Trealaw, Ferndale etc or any of the rural villages around Newport and Cardiff.
I'd especially be interested to hear from anyone who has moved there from England as to how easy it is to integrate in to the community. I'm a single mum and worried I might get lonely if I can't make friends easily as I don't know anyone in Wales.

Pontypridd itself looks reasonable - good links to Cardiff if you can't find a job locally, there's some nice little houses on Rightmove to rent for around £500 a month, and your partner would be close to the university facilities (library etc) so you wouldn't be spending lots on bus or train fares for him.
On 'The Student Room' the main complaint seems to be it's too quiet for them which is probably a good thing for you as it doesn't sound like a wild student town!
Living near the university will probably be a more diverse area too, which might help you settle in and there will probably be other mature students with families who have moved to Wales too. Good luck!

I would say your best staying in Pontypridd too. Anywhere around Treforest is fine though it’s full of students. The area around upper Glyntaff or Graigwen is good as well. The town is small and a bit run down but had a lovely park and a great outdoor swimming pool and really easy access to Cardiff by bus or train. The only area I would say to definitely avoid is Glyncoch. Feel free to PM me if you need any more specific advice as we live there and my husband is a Prof at the uni.

The other option is you and the children stay in Liverpool and he travels back at weekends!

We moved to the valleys in Cwmaman Aberdare and I absolutely love it.
My view from my bedroom window overlooks the mountains. There isca lane which goes directly behind my house straight Dare park , where I can get exercise and get away from the rat race.
I have met wonderful people abd really helpful neighbours. I had 2 interviews within 10 days of moving here (from Yorkshire) and was offered a job with one if these companies. am originally from Bristol so have family not far so don't have to do a 5 hr drive like before.
We have all the benefits of countryside but In a village where shops like Asda etc are 10 mins away and Merthyl Mydfil is less than half hr drive. Having a car makes a massive difference but transport links are quite good.
Life is what you make it. Everyone has been nothing but friendly so far. I love it

Murinae. Saw that you live in ponty and after advice. I’m moving from the lovely and quiet as I’m starting uni in Cardiff, my max is500£ but I’m so worried about picking a decent area that ideally is quiet and safe, can you make recommendations please?
Thanks

I know this is an old post but don't be put off.
You could move to Cardiff and have idiots next door, so the valleys is no difference.
It is literally what you make it yourself.

I'd say a car is essential , unless you work from home.
Some steep streets in the Valleys that's for sure!

I am just about to buy a house and I would love to stay in Cardiff but a dive in Cardiff starts at £170k. £100k in the Valleys get's you something quite tidy. Most are terraced for this price though.

Go to north wales. I grew up on Cheshire / wales border (CH5). Not too far from Chester - also only 25 miles to Liverpool

Moved from Bristol to Blackwood and absolutely love it, the people are so lovely. House prices so cheap up to Bristol. Got a job within 2 months I commute to Cwmbran. It’s a slower pace than Bristol and so quiet your neighbours actually speak to you! We considered moving to Aberdare but just couldn’t find the right house, I’m so glad we moved to Blackwood.

I once lived in Pontypridd for 3 years. I swear it rains everyday from 1 October to 30 April

Went to Swansea Uni. Can confirm.

Absolutely not, Swansea is fabulous, albeit with deprived parts like all cities. I moved here from England 20 years ago and my quality of life is amazing compared to what it was before.

I have sea views. I can walk from my house directly through 2 beautiful parks to reach the beach in 15 minutes. The prom stretches from the marina in the East: restaurants, cafes, monthly market, 2 museums, LC2 - leisure centre with pool with wave machine and slides, climbing wall, soft play and lovely gym and spa. Walk or cycle West from the beach and you have the skate park, Blackpill with a large playground and a paddling pool, access to the beautiful Clyne Park, outdoor gym equipment and so on. Onto Mumbles described in the Times as the Hampton of Wales - beautiful Victorian fishing village with lots of poncey shops and eateries. expensive houses. Small pier and walking distance to lovely beaches and onto Gower.

West of Swansea is more upmarket and more diverse, loads of English incomers. East cheaper and more traditional but some lovely welcoming areas.

Good schools.

Town centre is horrid apart from the amazing covered market with vegan shops, sushi, Thai and fab veg, fishmongers and butchers.

But for decent clothes shopping go to Cardiff.

But I highly recommend Swansea.

Oops zombie thread. 🤣🤣

@lots33 we didn't buy in Swansea but I did visit many times over the course of 2-3 years.

Loved it! Fell in love with Mumbles, started a collection of love spoons, walked passed the Big Apple many times. Further west Tenby was like going to Cornwall but only closer.

Must visit again soon.

Bumped a few times already so I'll add something to this.

Having lived in several towns and cities and now Aberdare, it's really not great.

No vets taking on (you'll hear people say it's the same everywhere, it really isn't). Hard to get a dentist and if you don't drive, it's not good at all due to very little in the area.

I gave Aberdare 8 months and now selling up and going back to Gloucestershire. I feel sad about it but it just doesn't work for me with not being able to drive. Aberdare park and dare valley are nice places to visit but the town is run down and shops aren't really of any interest. I was bored all the time. Public transport isn't very good.

Merthyr isn't very nice. It's run down, regular street drinkers are about dumping empty cans. Constant roadworks all around. The castle/park is nice there. It just feels all very bleak in Merthyr though.

Nearly everyone drives so congested streets and blocked pavements are to be expected.

If you drive, have done your research and want a good sized house for a good price, then maybe it could work.

The most depressing part of this thread, other than the enduring negative stereotypes of Merthyr, is that property isn't cheap anymore.