Chester - what's it really like?

[claricebeansmum]

I am a Londoner born and bred. There is a possibility that we may have to move to Chester and I would like to know what it is really like. I am not a "WAG" - just a regular middle aged middle class mum... What are the good points and what are the drawbacks?

never lived there but one of my best friends went to law school there and when I visited her I loved it. It has character which a lot of cities don't have.

Bump

I don't live in Chester but about 20 minutes away. It's a very nice city, good size, good shops. Don't know much about schools though I'm afraid.

If we lived outside, say 20 mins away, what would the school run be like? I am used to SW London jams. Do you end up going to Manchester a lot for concerts, gigs and galleries? Is it very "northern"?

20 minutes away is very rural. We're in a small town with its own secondary school, DSD (11yo) walks to school by herself, as do most of the kids, so there isn't really a school run! The primary school is about 10 minutes walk away. The traffic getting into Chester in the morning can be bad, but there are ratruns if you know them. I say 'bad', it's probably much better than you are used to! The 20 minutes can turn into an hour at the wrong time. The difference is I think to big city life that the rush hour is much shorter so you can be in quick if you travel a little earlier. We do go to Manchester a lot but that's mainly because both DP and I work there and I used to live there. Manchester is a good big city to be near though. We are near enough equi-distant from Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham. I don't consider it 'northern' around here, it feels much more like the midlands, like Worcestershire/Herefordshire/Shropshire if that means anything to you!

I went to law school there and lived about 20 minutes away in a gorgeous rural setting - I loved it! My mother lives in Shropshire now so I still visit sometimes...great shops, super restaurants, lovely rural pubs, easy to get to major cities. I live in South West London now, and I would really recommend the move. I also agree that it feels more like the Herefordshire/Shropshire parts of the Midlands than the North.

MIL lives in Chester - I really like it. As others have said - good shopping, nice pubs and restaurants. City itself is lovely.

I've done the opposite to you - born and bred Chester, now live in London!

I grew up in a village about 20 mins outside Chester (in fact, it sounds suspiciously like where SuperMonkey lives!) I went to the local primary and secondary schools, and walked to school every day. I suppose it's 12 years since I left, but I do remember it feeling very safe.

Chester is a great city. The only reason I wouldn't live there is because it's where I grew up, if you know what I mean. It has all the advantages of a big city (great shopping, bars and restaurants) while being small enough to walk around, and retaining lots of character. It's a really beautiful place, and the river is wonderful in the summer.

As far as schools go, there are some very good state ones (Tarporley and Christleton High were very good when I was there), or Kings if you can afford to go private.

I don't know what you would consider "very northern"! I claim to be a northerner, but down here people tell me that Chester isn't in the north (despite it being on a similar latitude to Sheffield!) All in all, I'd say that no, you wouldn't find it very northern. Accent is like a milder cross between Liverpool and Manchester.

Same as Pennybenjamin. Was raised in Chester and the only reason I won't live there is that i did previously for so long. Plus I have lived ages in London now.

My family still live there so I visit a lot.

I think if it was in say Cambridge location I would move there in a flash. The city is excellent with a really good balance of big shops and unique ones. You're close to other big cities and the Trafford Centre. Plus it is very family oriented.

It doesn't have as many great restaurants but even that is changing.

It does have the advantage of lots of rural towns/villages nearby that have good local pubs.

Downsides is that it is a bit further for for London mates to see you so it would be weekends when you have arranged it.

Hi clarice, I live in a village just outside of Chester.

I love it here, and will never ever leave .

I'm a Cestrian (born within the city walls), but have lived all over (inc. London) and have no desire to live anywhere else.

As previous posters have said, the city centre is great. Good shops, the Rows are lovely and there is always Cheshire Oaks Outlet village is just up the road (if you like a bargain).

The schools are very good. The best State secondary atm are at Helsby and Christleton. If you want to go private The Queen's School (girls) is always up there in the top 20 (I think) results wise. King's (mixed) also has a good reputation.

Good train links up to Liverpool (for galleries, concerts etc).

The only bad point (IMO) is John Lewis is a hour long drive away , I miss JL.

Oh and Chester is def. not considered WAG land. Chester is West Cheshire (where the 'old' money Cheshire set tend to settle). East Cheshire (with it's proximity to Manchester) is where the 'new' money is .