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Original poster

Best place to live in Wales?

70 replies

Giraffey1 · 15/09/2020 00:36

Where are the best places to live in Wales? I need to decide where my next home should be and I’m at a bit of a loss.

I’d like somewhere semi rural, with space, views and a small garden. Good places for dog walking, but within reach of civilisation. No need to be near an office, I work from home. No children or partner to factor in.

Budget up to £300k.

Where would you tell me to look, and where would you tell me to avoid?

OP posts:
tywysoges · 16/09/2020 08:35

It’s absolutely ludicrous to lump the whole of Wales healthcare together as if it’s an single entity. It will be different across all regions in the same way that it’s different all over England.

I’ve been here 2 and a bit years now, and have never ever not been able to see my GP whenever I needed to, same day or next, including during the pandemic. Never had trouble being referred to consultants, and I have never had to wait 16 weeks for an appointment either. I have a chronic condition and have seen the consultant more in 2 years than in the 8 years since I’d been diagnosed in England. Last year I was poorly during a holiday, arrived on 31st October, saw my GP on 1st, she sent me straight to hospital and my gallbladder was out less than 3 weeks later.

So while I recognise that I might have been lucky, I have been consistently lucky and really don’t miss anything about my previous healthcare experience in England. And my prescriptions are free. So is the hospital parking.

DeeDimer · 16/09/2020 08:48

If you need good internet access do your research first especially in the more rural areas. Towns I think you might like...
Abergavenny
Newcastle Emlyn
Aberaeron
Monmouth
Usk
Cowbridge
Brecon

snowspider · 16/09/2020 09:18

Llandeilo is nice. I have a very soft spot for Llandovery and 300k would get you a nice house and if you wanted a doer upper interesting older properties. Much more expensive with lots of community/green initiatives too is Crickhowell, Llangattock might be the place to look there. Great allotments!

snowspider · 16/09/2020 10:45

[https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-84673180.html Llandovery]]

MikeUniformMike · 16/09/2020 10:56

@Giraffey1, And yes, I do have contacts in Wales but that isn’t really relevant as I am well able to start from solo scratch. And yes, of course I know How big Wales is is in comparison to England, not sure why that is relevant?

There is a big difference between, say, just over the border in Flintshire or Monmouthshire and rural remote areas like Snowdonia or Pembrokeshire.

Original poster
Giraffey1 · 16/09/2020 21:05

I do a bit of DIY but am not after a ‘project’, I’d rather have a property that I can just move into and enjoy living in without having to do stuff.

I would need good internet access and that is already on my list. As is heating - I know that there are many properties in Pembrokeshire, for example, that relay on oil, and that’s not for me.

I’m grateful for the suggestions some were already on my radar but others are new. I’ll be looking into these, thank you!

OP posts:
AyDeeAitchDee · 16/09/2020 21:13

Haverfordwest/Milford Haven area would be my vote.

snowspider · 16/09/2020 23:01

Do you mean by oil is not for you the you want mains gas, because that would rule out a lot.

snowspider · 16/09/2020 23:01

As would good internet access

snowspider · 16/09/2020 23:05

and mains drainage

FranklyDearIDontRiverdance · 16/09/2020 23:10

There’s some lovely places that fit your bill in the Vale of Glamorgan - St Hilary, Welsh St Donats, Aberthin and around those areas.

I also like Coity and Pen Y Fai near Bridgend

beingmums · 16/09/2020 23:39

Caerleon has nice walking areas and close enough to M4 if needed.

Original poster
Giraffey1 · 16/09/2020 23:42

Yes, mains gas, and I’m well aware that this will rule out a lot of properties / areas.

OP posts:
Original poster
Giraffey1 · 16/09/2020 23:43

Sewage, drainage etc also important, of course. Thank you for reminding me.

OP posts:
BackforGood · 16/09/2020 23:49

Do you speak Welsh ?
In some areas, that will have a bigger impact than others. HOw would you feel not being able to speak the same language as your neighbours / shopkeepers / tradespeople / other people in this choir you are going to join / ec ?

wedidntstartthefires · 17/09/2020 02:08

I'm so jealous of the idea that you can work from home and can live anywhere.

JustAnotherPoster00 · 17/09/2020 05:40

It’s absolutely ludicrous to lump the whole of Wales healthcare together as if it’s an single entity. It will be different across all regions in the same way that it’s different all over England.

They never seem to mention how unfair the barnett formula is, the difference in funding between the North and South, but always seems to be Tories that bang on about the health service in Wales because its Labour run, I like my free hospital parking and free prescriptions

LowLou · 17/09/2020 05:44

Vale of Glamorgan has it all. 2 cities close by (Cardiff and Swansea). Cardiff is a fab city imo.Wonderful coastline and lovely countryside. Not too far from M4 for getting back to England and day trips further west.
Cowbridge is considered a bitvposh and you pay the price. Lots of coastal villages. Barry and Bridgend are more urban but both have their "niace" areas that will be obvious by the house prices.

Original poster
Giraffey1 · 17/09/2020 11:29

No, can’t speak Welsh, I think In the sort of places I’d be considering this would be less of an issue - but it is a good point to bear in mind.

I agree that Cardiff is a great city, lots to offer. I have family there.

So much choice!

OP posts:
CottonSock · 17/09/2020 11:33

Abergavenny or Monmouth if you can find anything suitable in budget

tywysoges · 17/09/2020 12:07

@FranklyDearIDontRiverdance

There’s some lovely places that fit your bill in the Vale of Glamorgan - St Hilary, Welsh St Donats, Aberthin and around those areas.

I also like Coity and Pen Y Fai near Bridgend

Pen y fai was top of our list when we were looking, shame nothing was available at the time Sad - we were looking around Bridgend for work reasons, we wanted a short commute for DH. So our list was pretty much Pen y fai, Coychurch, Coity, Laleston, Porthcawl. We ended up in none of these places Grin but they’re all quite nice. Our budget was only slightly bigger than OP’s.

Broadband was important to us too, we used the checker on the openreach website to see what was available before going to see the house.

And in my patch of South Wales Welsh is not a barrier, you hear very little of it - other than the occasional diolch. I’m learning it because I love the sounds and I’m very curious, but not out of necessity.

FinallyFluid · 17/09/2020 17:09

Commenting so I can find it without having to start a thread. Grin

Letsleepingdogslie8 · 17/09/2020 17:29

If healthcare is an issue, I really wouldn’t go further west than Swansea. The hospitals don’t see a wide enough range of conditions to spot things and for any speciality, you have to travel to Swansea or more likely Cardiff or Bristol. Speaking from personal experience here, sadly.

Standrewsschool · 17/09/2020 17:46

Aberystwyth was my first thought. Seaside plus town.

Llangollen is a pretty Welsh town, and in striking distance of Wrexham. Chester and Liverpool are within striking distance as well.

Chester may be another option for you (although it’s in England, so technically doesn’t fit your remit).