Moving to Bath

[Imnewhere21]

Hi all, this is the first time I've ever posted anywhere so hopefully I have find the right spot! I have accepted a new job in Bath, starting in March, so my family and I will be relocating. We have two girls aged (almost) 2 and 4.5 so we want a family friendly neighbourhood. We are considering Combe Down and also Oldfield Park. I love the homes I am seeing in Oldfield Park and walkability, transport links etc, but worried it might be too noisy with the students. Any thoughts? We are moving from London so want to still be able to walk to shops and into town ideally, but do want a house with a garden. It's important too that we don't feel isolated in a more remote location. Our budget is up to 425k so puts some other neighbourhoods out of reach. We are also an LGBT French/American/British family so very much want a diverse neighbourhood with people from a range of different backgrounds. Is this asking too much?! Any suggestions are very welcome and thanks everyone!

Larkhall and Batheaston are great Batheaston school is fab. Larkhall is a slightly more 'alternative' neighbourhood with a small street of local independent shops. It has a fantastic community feel, great places to walk dogs and kids. Easy bus into town and walkable too but probably slightly too far for kids.

Thanks GherkinsOnToast, I'll take a look at Larkhall. Batheaston is on our radar too!

If you are worried about students every council has to have a public list of its licensed HMOs so you can easily check if you have students next to a house you are planning to buy.

Agree re Newbridge though - much underrated area.

Both the areas you mention are very popular with students. So you may not have a permanent neighbour and you Amy have noise/unkempt gardens. If that is no problem to you they are both nice enough and an easy walk/bus ride into town.

thanks so much everyone for the thoughts and ideas.JoannaDory I did look up the house we are thinking of buying and an HMO is right next door which is so disappointing. I wouldn't have thought to look it up so thank you so much for the idea. I don't mind being near students, but right next door with potential for garden parties etc doesn't feel too compatible with young kids. I like to get as much sleep as we can given how exhausting parenthood is ;-) Yes I think renting is complicated as our older daughter will start reception in Sept and we really want to settled as soon as possible as the deadline for school selection has already passed. We'll keep looking! Any thoughts on Mulberry Park development? Seems to have a good new school and nursery so convenient. Thanks!

@LittleOverwhelmed thanks for that re Mulberry Park. Sounds about right re description. We will be visiting to check it out. Great to know that one of your friends was able to add a loft extension as we had the same idea so will try to get one with a steep pitched roof as you mention. Great advice so thank you for that!

I was a uni student with Oldfield Park housing! It wasn’t the quietest area at night, I’ll be honest - though that may change with Covid, I don’t know. This was 20 years ago! Parking wasn’t fun.
Newbridge is a good suggestion, there’s a park and ride. Larkhall is lovely! There are lots of villages locally too if you don’t mind being away from the city.

Combe Down is a mixed bag - 'old' village is lovely and therefore much more expensive, 'newer' parts (ie 1930's onwards) can be variable. Personally I wouldn't live in Mulberry Park, but I'm past the young children stage - it may suit you. Larkhall is good if you want alternative, and is a level walk into the city. Oldfield Park is student land and therefore can be noisy with dreadful parking. Widcombe = ££££!

Thanks everyone, great feedback. We will be visiting this weekend for the day to check out Combe Down, Bathampton and Newbridge :-) to start. May venture to Larkhall as well. Sadly I think Oldfield park won't work for our current family situation.