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Shrewsbury - a good place to live?

38 replies

MiracleBaby2022 · 07/12/2021 13:43

Were thinking of relocating. Is Shrewsbury a nice place to live? Good schools? Any information most welcome!

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Afreshstart2021 · 07/12/2021 13:44

Yes lovely town! I can tell you about the schools - private or state?

MiracleBaby2022 · 07/12/2021 13:48

Oh tell me more! State schools please. What about general life, people, crime, anything you know - most grateful. I've noticed properties are very affordable there, hence the pondering...

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supertedious · 07/12/2021 13:55

Yes Shrewsbury is great, good links to major cities and also amazing countryside and the beach isn't too far either.

beguilingeyes · 07/12/2021 17:36

Bloody love Shrewsbury. I've contemplated living there myself. We go to the fantastic folk festival almost every year. Property seems to be very reasonable too.

MiracleBaby2022 · 07/12/2021 17:47

@beguilingeyes never been to the folk festival - sounds lovely!

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Ruralbliss · 07/12/2021 19:16

Yes we love it! We relocated from London when the kids were tiny.

beguilingeyes · 07/12/2021 19:21

It's a great festival, and because it's just outside the city walls there's no need to camp and a nice hotel with hot water and a comfy bed is an option.

ChequerBoard · 07/12/2021 19:21

Don't get poorly - one of the worst performing NHS Trusts in the country.

https://www.cqc.org.uk/provider/RXW

Musicalmaestro · 07/12/2021 21:01

Er, I would't say it was close to the beach supertedious. It seem quite a long way when I passed through on the way to the Welsh coast.

MiracleBaby2022 · 07/12/2021 21:02

@ChequerBoard I knew I'd heard something about Shrewsbury and the NHS trust in the news! Crikey, it does look very bad...

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FreyaHazel · 07/12/2021 21:06

I lived in Shrewsbury for 15 years in both Belle Vue and Frankwell. It's a very pretty town with plenty of nice, safe residential areas. What sort of areas are you looking at OP? I also work for emergency services and there are definitely areas I wouldn't want to live in - the same goes for any town really. Happy to help with ideas for areas that would suit if you let me know where you've looked 😊

Newnews · 07/12/2021 21:10

Following as we have wondered about Shrewsbury. Looking to leave the south east in the next 3-5 years. I wondered about job opportunities, where is easy commuting distance? Birmingham?

VelvetSpoon · 07/12/2021 21:13

Plus - it's a beautiful part of the world. You're close to countryside but also under an hour from Birmingham. Shrewsbury itself has all the big supermarkets and shops as well as a lot of artisan type stores. It's a lovely, friendly place.

Minus - the hospital isn't great (although basic healthcare ie GPs, dentists etc seem fine). Council tax is very similar to the levels I pay in a London borough. And no idea what they spend it on but the roads around town are in a terrible state and even worse once you get to more rural areas.

macshoto · 07/12/2021 21:18

As a place to live I would say has to be pretty high up the list as long as the employment you need is there.

Great local family-owned wine merchant in Tanners, plenty of independent shops, the Market hall, despite the building, contains some good stalls, cafes and shops. Food-wise it's not bad, but isn't Ludlow.

The Folk Festival is truly one of the top 3 in the country - I'd say top, but then it's my local festival and I've been for the last 10 years (excl. 2020 which was cancelled due to Covid-19). Excellent mix of new and established artists (UK/International), good food options, excellent bars and very child/family friendly.

As others have said, the NHS Trust does have its challenges and there's a bit of a scrap going on about what is in Telford vs. Shrewsbury from an A&E perspective. Other downsides, the local MPs and Council tend to be Tory by default; the council is relatively hard up as it's a big county (lots of roads etc.) but relatively small population (and they, with hindsight no doubt regret buying the main shopping centre in town just before Covid-19 made it worth a fraction of what they paid) - so potholes are only infrequently repaired and other council services are being pared in a major cost-saving drive.

OverByYer · 07/12/2021 21:18

@supertedious

Yes Shrewsbury is great, good links to major cities and also amazing countryside and the beach isn't too far either.
Its nowhere near a beach!! I moved from Shropshire back to Wales as it was too landlocked for me. I found Shrewsbury quite a dull place. I worked there and lived in nearby Telford.
macshoto · 07/12/2021 21:25

Oh, and do look at a flood risk map before you buy somewhere near the river - most of town is fine, but some does flood...

Mum0509 · 07/12/2021 21:32

Copthorne area and The Priory School is good. It's a nice place with lots to do. Coast isn't that far, with trains to Barmouth. Depending on what you do, you might find work lacking. It's friendlier than a lot of places. Birmingham and Wolverhampton are not far on the train. Without wishing to offend, my own opinion is it's not terribly multicultural or worldly.

Afreshstart2021 · 08/12/2021 13:21

Great primary schools and priory school is good. Lovely town with loads going on. Nowhere near the beach however lake Bala is manageable for a day, plus of course the river is lovely. Tennis club, rowing club, loads of other sports catered for. I absolutely loved living there, miss it. Easy to get to Birmingham and from Birmingham international easy to fly/get train to London. Telfords a bit meh but has a good mall for rainy days and big town park with huge playground. Shrewsbury has nice park called the quarry. Lots of independent shops but that might have changed since covid. Go for it.

starshideyourfires · 08/12/2021 13:38

I grew up there and it’s a lovely place to live. Still go back as my parents are still there. Would highly recommend if you don’t want to live in a big city.
Very picturesque town centre and countryside. Went to the priory and I believe it’s an even better school than it was before

xxmyheartxx · 08/12/2021 13:55

I live in Radbrook and have got children and primary and secondary schools (Radbrook primary and The Priory school) also work for the NHS as well.
Town isn't as busy as it used to be, though lots of coffee shops/independent shops/pubs, I tend to either go to Telford or Chester if I want a day of shopping as more selection there.
Certain areas do flood which really does impact traffic levels around the town, approx 1 and a half hour to the coast which is nice for a day out.

VelvetSpoon · 08/12/2021 14:00

Distance to the sea is a funny one - I live in London and for us growing up a 30 min drive to Southend/ Leigh was a day out and about as far as we'd go - yet in Shrewsbury people often do day trips to Barmouth which is a good 90 mins away.

There are some areas in Shrewsbury that are less 'nice' than others - parts of Harlescott and Ditherington are less attractive but that's reflected in the price of housing there. Copthorne is imo a bit overpriced due to proximity to the hospital. Sutton Farm, Meole Brace, Radbrook are all nice and a little cheaper.

TheNoonBell · 08/12/2021 14:31

@Newnews

Following as we have wondered about Shrewsbury. Looking to leave the south east in the next 3-5 years. I wondered about job opportunities, where is easy commuting distance? Birmingham?
We made just that move earlier this year SE to Shrewsbury area. It's been great so far.

It's about an hour to Birmingham on the train.
Outside of the town there is hardly any congestion compared to the SE.
People are much more friendly especially in the surrounding villages.
Everything is cheaper and the local tradesmen are less likely to rip you off as it is a smaller market.
You get a lot more house wise for the cash, basically 1 level up on the SE.
Pubs are amazing, cheap and friendly. A meal out is around 2/3rds of the SE and quality seems better overall.

Highly recommend it. PM me for more details if you like.

Ruralbliss · 08/12/2021 16:00

Agree with previous poster regarding the lack of multiculturalism which was marked for us coming from east London.

Re seaside it's a direct train to Aberystwyth and Cardiff (different lines obviously) plus only an hour from N Wales beaches and slightly further but not too far Anglesey and Llyn Peninsular

It's an hour or so from Birmingham but also not much further to Liverpool and Manchester so big city culture easy to get to.
Also a straight through train to Euston from Shrewsbury early morning and late afternoon.

MiracleBaby2022 · 08/12/2021 18:09

Thanks everyone for all the replies. I think we've decided it's just too far inland for us, we've got to be within 30 minutes drive to a beach ideally. Might have to start another thread on that one... Poole is too expensive but maybe Southampton...

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WhoppingBigBackside · 08/12/2021 19:26

How about Chester @MiracleBaby2022? Wirral is nearby as is Prestatyn