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?

Adding to those saying Cardiff - try llandaff, Llandaff north or Whitchurch, those are suburbs with lots of good schools and greenery but within a few miles of the city centre (and easily cyclable if that’s important to you). At 3 your son is young enough that you could easily choose to go down the Welsh medium education route if you wanted him to learn another language too. Loads going on as it’s the capital city and close to the gower with its lush beaches or the Brecon Beacons for hill walks.

The Midlands! Outskirts of Birmingham are inexpensive (comparatively- I'm from the Midlands and moved to Surrey) and very multicultural.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/80998293#/?channel=RES_LET

This place isn't too far from where I used to live in Bristol (Victoria Park way), I absolutely adored it as an area - amazing community feel, very close to the city centre but also very accessible to get to the countryside if you want. Great primary school. Plenty of amenities. It may be slim pickings around Victoria Park/Bedminster/Southville way for 4 beds but definitely worth a try. Otherwise somewhere like Whitchurch or Stockwood may be good to look at too.

Outside of Bristol, I can't speak much for Cheltenham as I've not long moved nearby but I do like it a lot. Not as diverse as Bristol of course. Great schools though, lots of amazing parks to take the kids too, country walks down the road.

Cardiff, as someone has mentioned earlier, is a great place to look. I'm from the west midlands originally and there are also some fab little towns/suburban areas around there too.

Good luck!

Shrewsbury in Shropshire

Thank you, so much to everyone who has taken the time to respond! I have been really blown away by the kindness in this community and the amount of time some of you have spent researching places for us and giving really good suggestions. I'm looking into each of the suggestions and am sure that we'll find a wonderful place!

Amazing!

@Kittypillar

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/80998293#/?channel=RES_LET

This place isn't too far from where I used to live in Bristol (Victoria Park way), I absolutely adored it as an area - amazing community feel, very close to the city centre but also very accessible to get to the countryside if you want. Great primary school. Plenty of amenities. It may be slim pickings around Victoria Park/Bedminster/Southville way for 4 beds but definitely worth a try. Otherwise somewhere like Whitchurch or Stockwood may be good to look at too.

Outside of Bristol, I can't speak much for Cheltenham as I've not long moved nearby but I do like it a lot. Not as diverse as Bristol of course. Great schools though, lots of amazing parks to take the kids too, country walks down the road.

Cardiff, as someone has mentioned earlier, is a great place to look. I'm from the west midlands originally and there are also some fab little towns/suburban areas around there too.

Good luck!

Such fantastic suggestions! Thank you, so much!

Chester-near the mountains of Wales and a beautiful centre. A few SA people live in the area. Affordable as cities go. Manchester for more multicultural and buzzing place.

swansy I've sent a message back but not sure it's sent!

Eastbourne is a lot more multicultural than you'd expect and there's a good community spirit.

@LittleOverWhelmed

I would recommend Bath: it is very safe, popular with a good mix of people, including mixed race (we are a mixed race family). It is quite an international city. Great schools too: how old is your DS? Probably some good job opportunities for you…

“Affordable” is a bit of a stumbling block. As are “family house rentals” (most rentals are for students). Somewhere like this - Symes Park, Weston, Bath, Somerset, BA1
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/55767897 ? It is very close to this school - www.wasp-school.org.uk/ (which has a very good reputation)

This is super! What a beautiful garden space! Thank you!

@mizu

swansy I've sent a message back but not sure it's sent!

Thanks so much @mizu. Unfortunately, it hasn't come through.

I don't mind if you want to post it here, otherwise I can send my email address if you prefer.

Basically I said that the area you were looking at - and school - is great. Walkable into town too and near great local amenities. Two very good secondary schools too. Google them. Cheltenham is not massively diverse but it's getting there. And is a lovely place to bring up children.

Leeds is a great city, very diverse, lovely suberbs and lots and things to do in the city and west yorkshire in general. Housing is affordable. As a biracial family (ivorian/white british) we find it very inclusive and actually relocated from London ourselves 10 years ago.

@mizu

Basically I said that the area you were looking at - and school - is great. Walkable into town too and near great local amenities. Two very good secondary schools too. Google them. Cheltenham is not massively diverse but it's getting there. And is a lovely place to bring up children.

That's so helpful @mizu! Thank you, so much! I'm glad to know that we're on the right track!

If teaching careful of Wales as they usually require Welsh gcse or welsh pgce( I have friends who were caught out by this)