Advice re moving to Warwickshire- Leamington Spa or....

[Blondie87]

Hi,

It’s looking increasingly likely that my family may be moving to Warwickshire. I don’t really know the area but I have two pre-schoolers with one due to start next September. Therefore being near a great primary would be ideal. Currently live in the suburbs of a big city so used to all the amenities that offers, although I’m tempted to give more rural living a go if Leamington Spa isn’t right for us. On the other hand, I’d like to live somewhere with a bit of a community or social scene as I won’t know anyone locally.
So, advice on good primary schools and areas in/around Leamington Spa would be much appreciated!

Can't help on schools, but just wanted to give you a little bump and say it's a fab area. Leamington is a lovely town, but if you do want to go rural, you've a wide choice of 'big' villages with plenty of amenities through to tiny hamlets, all within 20 mins drive of the town centre. Good luck!

Thank you! I appreciate the bump 🙂

Can't help on schools either I'm afraid ( mine all grown up) I live fairly near by and love Leamington too! Enough to do but not too big. Beautiful architecture, parks and green spaces and great shopping. There are also lots of nice villages close by. Just have drive around and get a feel for the area. Most village schools are OK, so it depends how important being near to amenities is to you.

Kenilworth is very nice with very good schools.

Very expensive though.

Actual Leamington is mostly students or very expensive properties. Have you looked at surrounding suburbs like Heathcote, Whitnash, Syndenham? There's loads of development happening on the M40 side. Would you be commuting? Traffic is a bit of an issue if you need to access the M40 in the morning.

The thing I find most bizarre is the lack of "normal" secondary schools. There's Myton, and the one at the top end of Leamington towards Kennilworth, but otherwise they are all private. Bizarre.

Thanks everyone very much. We’ll head over and do a drive around to get a feel for the areas. It’s just not knowing it at all that makes it a bit daunting!

I don’t have any advice on school but lived in Warwickshire on and off for about a decade. Kenilworth is great as is North Leamington (South Leam where the station is located is more student central and more pubs are located). With young kids I think I’d prefer Kenilworth. Or consider Warwick itself or Stoneleigh? Good luck!

We moved to Warwick last year. Hoping to exchange/complete in Leamington by summer end. But if we had our time again we would have gone for Kenilworth. All quite expensive. Have a think about what kind of schooling you want as it ranges from the liberal forest school type (Fernecumbe/ Milverton/Barford) to stricter more target focused (Coten End/possibly St. nicks in Kenilworth- while since I last looked around.
St. Nicks park is amazing, Victoria Park and Abbey Fields also lovely.
Trains are better from Leam (more frequent, more destinations) but easier to walk to Warwick from nice bits.
A lot of competition for family houses in Leamington- HMO landlords on the prowl!
Also I have found it a bit more insular than I was used to as lots of people have a lot of family here. I feel like after a year I am starting to make nice friends but as a veteran mover it did surprise me.
Good luck!

Alcester is utterly fabulous if anywhere near where you need to be.

Thanks everyone- this is so helpful! durian thanks for the info re. schools. The one thing I’m worried about is re-establishing myself and starting from sctrach to build a social life! Moved to where we’re living currently 6 years ago and I’ve built up a great friendship network through kids, work etc. but it takes time and effort!! I’m definitely going to check out all the places suggested. Much appreciated to have some idea of where to investigate!

We live in Rugby, much cheaper but a good community and loads going on. We moved two years ago from London (where I still work and commute!) if you move here DM me and i’ll intro you!

We lived there a few years ago now, but Harbury is lovely and the primary school is great.
Definitely a village but plenty of pubs and a good community feel to it.

Hadn’t consider Rugby- no particular reason but I’ll add it to the list! Thanks vanillasky & if we move there will definitely dm you!

Another vote for Alcester if you are looking a little further afield and at more rural locations (It's still only 10 mins from Stratford, 15/20 to Warwick). Lovely town with a great community spirit and great properties in the rural surrounding areas. We moved here from London a couple of years ago. Haven't looked back! Good luck.

Hello I may move to CV32 AREA OF LEAMINGTON SPA is this a good area to live? and is it greenery and countryside ? is they shops near by? what about the local community are they friendly.Which is the nicest place to live? and worst place?Thanks Doreen