Affordable, hapy town to live that's foreigner friendly

[Swansy]

Hi!

We're a South African family relocating to England for DH's work. He's working remotely, so it doesn't really matter where in England we are for his job. I'm a teacher, so I'd be looking for a teaching job as well.
My Mom is moving with us (she's British) and while I don't think we'll have a problem fitting in with British culture, I would like a diverse, multi-racial environment for my son to grow up in.

We're looking for all the usuals: affordable housing, good community vibe, good schools. Not too small, but not too big either.

We were considering Cheltenham, but some of the things I've read about it concern me a little.

Any recommendations?

What would you consider "affordable"? Will your teaching status be fully recognised in UK?

What's your budget, what size house would you need etc? Hard to answer your question really without knowing that. What sort of things have put you off Cheltenham?

You mention England but if you can live anywhere, look at Northern England or Scotland, more affordable housing, friendly people and multi-cultural cities.

What's the budget, what are your family interests, so you need to be near transport, are DC boys or girls, how old are they. Do you prefer city or country life, the beach, does mum still have friends in the UK that she would like to be near. Cheltenham's is very specific, what do you like and not like about it.

If you fancy the west, Bristol is more multicultural

Yes! Bristol. Multicultural and vibrant and good links to other parts of the country.

Oh wow! Thanks all for the great responses. That was so much faster than expected. Loving this community!

Here's some more detail:

• We'd need a 4 bedroom place, if possible.
• I believe that rentals exclude things like water, electricity and council tax, so we'd probably be looking at no more than 1500-1800 per month (sorry, my keyboard doesn't have a pound sign 🙈) without those things, 2300 all-inclusive

- my teaching qualification is recognised in the UK. - I'm not opposed to more North. I've worked in London before so South is more what we know. I also have family in East Sussex and DH has in Bristol, so being around there would be nice, although not a must. - I've heard that Cheltenham is not really foreigner friendly. We're a mixed-race family and I'm concerned about potential bullying in schools. My son is 3yo. - Definitely prefer country life. I live in Cape Town currently and would rather climb the mountain than sit on the beach.

@Notaschoolday

I know quite a few white South Africans and a multi-racial area is definitely not what they were after when moving to England!

I don't think the OP said the were white though?

@gogohm

If you fancy the west, Bristol is more multicultural

Thanks so much @gogohm and @00feckingbollocks! Bristol seems quite pricey. Am I looking in the wrong places?

We've lived in Cheltenham for years and both children started school here. Mixed race family. Girls are now year 11 and 6th form. We are very happy here.

Liverpool. We've been an international city for a long time. Good value for money. Not 'the country' but Cheshire, north Wales and the Lake District are all easy to get to. London's two hours by train.

Cardiff is really good value for money . You’ll benefit from the Welsh coastline and still well connected to London . Plymouth is nicer than it was and then the midlands have numerous cities that are affordable and quite multicultural . Nottingham , derby , Birmingham outskirts .
Sounds like you’d like a lot of london. But it’s ridiculously expensive to get the sized home you need. Been looking at investment properties ‘up north’ recently and couldn’t believe what your money can get you in Staffordshire . Maybe hunt down your ideal job and then go from there?

Come to Scotland. Lots of Mountains to climb and really friendly.
I'm mixed race and nobody cares. Best move I've ever made.
My friend lives in Cape Town and moved to Bristol for a few years and loved it (also mixed race)

Parts of Bristol are VERY pricey. Clifton v expensive for example.

I just had a look on rightmove for Bristol as my parents still live there and I can’t believe the prices .
Most 4 beds are around 1800 -2000plus I saw some for over 3k a month

Plus bills
Cheapest was £1200 and that was in a street that was years ago known as the worse street in Bristol 😂
I think you will struggle to get what you want in Bristol at your budget which I think is pretty healthy
There was a nice 4 storey townhouse in hotwells overlooking the waterfront but even so £1800 a month plus bills for no parking would make me cry

Bristol is expensive. Cardiff is a little cheaper but the property market is pretty hot. I'll have a look on rightmove now

Very smart suburb
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/81004911?utm_campaign=property-details&utm_content=lettings&utm_medium=sharing&utm_source=copytoclipboard#/&channel=RES_LET

Good area, house needs TLC
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/108849080?utm_campaign=property-details&utm_content=lettings&utm_medium=sharing&utm_source=copytoclipboard#/&channel=RES_LET

Area has fair few students, but house is lovely and near facilities
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/81006675?utm_campaign=property-details&utm_content=lettings&utm_medium=sharing&utm_source=copytoclipboard#/&channel=RES_LET

Similar area
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/110766617?utm_campaign=property-details&utm_content=lettings&utm_medium=sharing&utm_source=copytoclipboard#/&channel=RES_LET

At least you can see what the budget gets you in the capital of Wales. A fantastic place to live.

And the first one has excellent schools and would be my pick

There is a South African presence in Cheltenham but I wouldn't say it is diverse or particularly multi racial.
Bristol would definitely be a better option.

Bristol is expensive, Cheltenham is up there too with the crazy property prices. I second Cardiff as Wales is stunning.

I think Cardiff too. We have friends in the area @Notavegan linked houses in and I agree, it's a great area. If we didn't have family ties where we live I'd happily move there.

Yorkshire is a beautiful part of the country, lots of multi cultural areas and most areas would come well within your budget

Newcastle. Definitely affordable and depending on area pretty multicultural. (I'm foreign and live in the North East). Good schools, and beautiful countryside and beaches nearby.

Might be a bit far north for you but Leicester is one of the most welcoming and truly diverse places I've ever been, outside of London. Lots of schools, countryside all around the city, far enough north to be reasonably priced without being proper north (not that there's anything wrong with that), great transport links.