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Original poster

Reluctantly moving away from great schools WWYD

34 replies

mrsmartins85 · 30/04/2020 00:54

I hope you are all staying safe and coping as well as possible with the lockdown.

I currently live with my husband and young daughter in a tiny two up two down in central Winchester, close to excellent schools- the kind they say are good enough private wouldn't be worth it (we couldn't afford it anyway). We both work from home and can't cope anymore. We don't need a palatial home or giant garden but it would be nice to be able to fit a standard single bed in our daughter's room, and for our living space not to be littered with work related stuff.

Winchester is mostly lovely, but eye-wateringly expensive and our 620k budget wouldn't be enough for what we would like. My husband would happily live in the middle of a forest but does not drive, and I've found living 5-10 minutes walk from amenities wonderful and am reluctant to give that up (I have MS, but am fine for now).

Our daughter's education is our top priority, which makes me feel guilty for even contemplating leaving the area. I want her to have a positive experience and hopefully enjoy learning with classmates who don't think doing your best is uncool. Of course, schools can change over time.

We could, in theory, live anywhere. I'd like a 3 or 4 bed place with character, walking distance from the center of a beautiful town. Somewhere big enough to have things for my girl to do, but small enough to please my crowd-averse husband. We are pretty relaxed and would hate a place where pretentious parents judge you at the school gate. Or, for that matter, a place where someone who isn't English will feel unwelcome. I was initially attracted to Harrogate, York or Knaresborough (all very different!) but is it colder? Husband is Portuguese and already stuggling where we are.

Bradford on Avon and Malmesbury seem to have good schools and are so pretty, but are still quite expensive. I just read this back and it sounds embarrassingly picky. Does such a place exist? Am I mad to think of moving at all? I would be grateful for any advice, I'd like to start some research now for when we can look around in person, even though we don't know what the rest of this year (and next!) will bring. We are cash buyers but have a very Brexit-vulnerable business so that may be a factor. Oh, and I'd probably have to get a new neurologist, which is very scary. If you made it this far, I raise my pint of tea to you.

OP posts:
Reginabambina · 30/04/2020 00:59

If you are in the state sector I would be very careful about moving. Getting into a good state school seems difficult. I’m sure that someone will come along who can advise you. Maybe consider Cambridge though? I know that some of their state schools are quite good and Adenbrooks (hospital) is excellent.

PlanDeRaccordement · 30/04/2020 01:14

Bishops Stortford is a favourite town of mine from my U.K. days.
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-89375978.html

PerspicaciaTick · 30/04/2020 01:53

I'd look in and around Chelmsford. Somewhere like this
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-72812101.html

Orangesandbananas · 30/04/2020 01:59

York, Harrogate and Knaresborough are all lovely but can be a degree or two cooler. York is much more buzzy and cultural.

midwestsummer · 30/04/2020 02:03

York is a university town so I would say is the most naturally multi cultural of the three.
The weather can be pretty cold in Yorkshire but dry (until it floods of course!)

Mediumred · 30/04/2020 02:10

Umm, I don’t know much about Winchester but it sounds very nice and you and your husband and daughter sound very settled there. Might it be better to look to rent a small office space nearby? I’m in London and there are loads of places where you can just rent a desk in an open plan office style environment, sometimes WeWork but also less formal arrangements through Facebook or whatever, might you and your husband be able to share a rented hotdesk nearby? Your MS and your husband’s lack of driving makes me think where you are at the moment works for you and it’s maybe just trying to get a bit more work space for you both that could ease the pressure. Sorry if my suggestions are not v helpful and best of luck to you and your family.

PerditaProvokesEnmity · 30/04/2020 02:35

Is there a reason your husband doesn't drive?You don't sound short of money so he could surely afford a car. That might widen your search possibilities. (Though I appreciate wanting to be able to walk to places you use.)

Were it not for the weather factor I'd suggest Edinburgh (though I don't actually know about the schools). Cambridge is a good suggestion but it's also expensive. Bradford on Avon is pretty - but the traffic! There are lovely villages close to Bath, if you could find somewhere in the catchment of decent schools. And much of the area from there to Marlborough is very attractive, but I think you'd need a car to be comfortable.

MarieG10 · 30/04/2020 07:00

Harrogate could suit you. Lovely town not dissimilar to Winchester. Lovely houses within walking distance or actually in the town itself. Massive restaurant and bar culture when CV is I ver and very classy. Good train links to Leeds and York and also London (via York). Has a good hospital but there are also the big Leeds hospitals within easy reach

I travel a lot and whilst it is colder at times here, not massively so compared with Winchester. I find Newcastle much colder than Harrogate!

Schools are generally excellent but secondary can be tricky to get into, although easier if moving as someone moving into the area can get higher priority.

I would suggest you have a weekend away and look. I wouldn't suggest York. It is a fucking tourist nightmare and don't bother driving there at all

ChrissieKeller61 · 30/04/2020 07:04

Don’t move ! We made the same mistake, went north the schools are nowhere near the same standard and now I’m utterly priced out.

Egg · 30/04/2020 07:07

Could you move out to Kings Worthy or similar where you get a bit more for your money but it’s still lovely?

buttersidedown · 30/04/2020 07:49

How about Chandlers Ford or Otterbourne? On the Winchester bus route, but still amazing schools. You could definitely get more than a 2 up 2 down with that budget.

Mrsrobinson247 · 30/04/2020 08:41

Bath? Great train links with good schools. Harrogate is lovely and amazing schools otherwise what about Skipton? Skipton girls is a great school and trains to Leeds very regularly. Lovely market town with lots going on.

PotteringAlong · 30/04/2020 08:44

Can you extend into the loft where you are and rent an office somewhere close by? It would be a lot cheaper than moving.

MsJaneAusten · 30/04/2020 08:45

Kendal. Excellent schools. No issues with them being oversubscribed. Great community. Gorgeous location.

(Don’t tel your husband about the weather though)

Mumtothelittlefella · 30/04/2020 08:51

We moved and while I don’t regret it as there are lots of positives, the school situation is awful. To the point we are now considering buying a second home and splitting our time between two counties so our children can go to a decent school. We can’t move from here now as all our family and businesses are here. Don’t underestimate the importance of good schooling.

4amWitchingHour · 30/04/2020 08:56

Can you compromise on the type of house? Accept that it's not going to be the character you love, but is practical for now and keeps you where you want to be. I didn't realise quite how crazy Winchester is for prices, but Rightmove throws up a 4 bed new build for £600k - enough space for an office each and a proper size bedroom for your daughter right in the centre of town

www.rightmove.co.uk/new-homes-for-sale/property-79070821.html

Ohohohwhereyougoing · 30/04/2020 09:12

Could you rent?
Rent out yours and get a house you need in the same area till dd has finished school then move and buy?

StarintheMorning · 30/04/2020 09:52

Unless you have unlimited funds there will always be some compromise with any move. You are so settled in Winchester, particularly with two things which you cannot possibly know if you are going to be happy with if you move, namely schools and medical care.

Having had a little look on Rightmove, I think you could find something within your budget, but it probably won’t tick every box on your wish list. You may find it just as difficult to get something in any really lovely town, because they are all expensive.
I have spent a lot of time in some lovely Northern towns, they are more expensive than my lovely little market town in South East, and they are often wetter and colder.

List your priorities, must haves and nice to haves. Put them in order of importance and feel pleased with yourself if you can find something that manages to tick the top three or four.
I would not disrupt my daughters school and friendship groups, nor medical care if you are happy with it, but this is all for you to decide what is important for you.

senua · 30/04/2020 10:16

How old is DD? What year at school?

ChocoTrio · 30/04/2020 10:39

That is a tricky one. On another thread there has been a discussion about potential changes to the house market, so try to play it carefully. The idea of renting out your current place (get a BTL mortgage) and then renting somewhere bigger, cheaper and also near good schools sounds like a good idea. It helps you hedge your bets as it allows you to keep your current home (ride out the recession) and explore other areas. If you don't like the other areas or schools then you can always go back to your current home.

Here are some ideas: 'Commuting to London: 50 of the best towns and villages with good-value homes and well-rated schools'. The article offers a price guide too.

justdontatme · 30/04/2020 22:40

With that budget you should be able to squeeze something bigger out of Winchester if you would rather just stay there? I know it's pricey but assuming you are talking about Westgate catchment or similar there should be a few options around the edges...?

SuitedandBooted · 30/04/2020 23:51

Wells in Somerset?

Pretty, nice schools, (primary or too that seem below par) and a shortish bus ride to Bristol and Bath. There is an old thread on here about it.

Nice house here Smile
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-77467270.html

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-72597703.html

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-77585782.html

Marlborough in Wiltshire? Always really liked it as a town, and good schools. Not much on at the moment, but this gives an indication;

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-77324218.html

Or if you don't move away, how about this in Winchester?

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-64105425.html

Good luck, there's a lot to think about with any move!

Purpleartichoke · 30/04/2020 23:55

I would also look at renting office space. There are official coworking spaces, but people also find other arrangements. In my neighborhood there was a man who rented a store front and was working out of it and posted on our local listserv to see if anyone wanted to share. They even were able to put up office walls.

Original poster
mrsmartins85 · 01/05/2020 00:19

Thank you all so much for taking the time to reply to my post, I really appreciate the honest advice. I don't think we would be able to move until we see how things go after December. I'd hate to jump into a move right before a potential crash.

To answer a few questions, our girl isn't in school yet, so no disruption for her. I would hope that would mean getting a school place wouldn't be too difficult. We have done the loft, there was only room for a ladder unfortunately so a little impractical, plus it is already full to the brim of stock (husband exports to the EU... for now). Renting office space could be an option, that's where the driving potentially becomes an issue and adds to the cost. My husband has always lived places that had good public transport but I think underneath it all he's terrified of driving, but I know if I couldn't drive anymore he'd learn. I have a car myself.

I think part of it is shock since our budget seems like such a lot to me (it's partly an inheritance and I don't have a high paying job, I'd rather have my dad here than the money but it is what it is). Nothing especially wrong with the houses linked either, they seem so dear for what they are. I am willing to accept I'm just really out of touch.

I'm interested to know how others analyse how good a school really is and if it's that easy to get caught out by one that seemed good on paper. What constitutes a good school will vary from child to child, naturally, but it feels like such a minefield. I had such good opportunities that I wasted I wish I could give them to her instead. I'm a little wary of grammar school areas and if they mean other schools nearby aren't as good? I could be totally wrong.

ChrissieKeller61 and Mumtothelittlefella, this is my exact fear. I haven't got a clue how to compare with any real accuracy and we couldn't go back.

The health stuff is just clinging to the familiar in a sea of what-ifs. There must be plenty of good neuros, but you do hear some horror stories.

Thank you again, I really am grateful.

OP posts: