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Original poster

Let’s vote: best place in the U.K. to raise children

134 replies

Jbirds · 11/12/2021 13:34

I thought(hoped) this might be a fun post.

Shall we vote on where we think would be the best place to live in the U.K. I know that people have different priorities, so I was thinking if I list my priorities for places to live and if these match yours then you could contribute towards the post positively.

  1. Good schooling (good ofsted, good behaviour, good results)
  2. Safety- low crime figures
  3. Green space
  4. Community activities
  5. Local architectural beauty
  6. Affordability

Add cities, towns, villages or hamlets- if you think they fit the bill.

It would be interesting to hear people’s opinions and experiences.

OP posts:
Linguini · 11/12/2021 20:21

I would recommend Derbyshire, anywhere around the Peak District totally smashes 1-5 there are affordable homes if you look say Buxton, Tideswell, Matlock or even up towards Glossop which is up-and-coming.

Crime is ridiculously low here which is why I think Derbyshire police now have a terrible reputation for their heavy handedness towards lockdown rules. They literally have nothing else to do!

The people are lovely, schools are great, there's enough outdoor space to share with the rest of England practically.

Unfortunately it probably wouldn't score highly for "Diversity" Grin I must apologize profusely it's mostly English people who live here... So if no one minds us, I'd recommend it here!

TeddingtonSchools · 11/12/2021 20:30

@arethereanyleftatall

Where I live in the Uk is awesome, but I'm afraid I'm not going to out myself. So, shouldn't have bothered posting. Sorry everyone Blush
I have this name change for when I talk about anything local to me :)
TremoloGreen · 11/12/2021 20:30

I would definitely say York. Affordability is all relative isn't it. York is expensive compared to other places up North but cheap compared to the South East.

TeddingtonSchools · 11/12/2021 20:31

@gattey

or you (like us) bought in the 2000s you might think it is affordable :)

tbf lots of places that are nice were much more affordable in the 00s

Yes of course but do they tick all the other boxes that the OP mentions like Teddington does?
Turefu · 11/12/2021 20:41

I agree about York. Cheaper then SE, more expensive then rest of North. Same Harrogate.

gattey · 11/12/2021 21:11

Yes of course but do they tick all the other boxes that the OP mentions like Teddington does?

I can think of loads that do

TeddingtonSchools · 11/12/2021 22:04

@gattey

Yes of course but do they tick all the other boxes that the OP mentions like Teddington does?

I can think of loads that do

Care to suggest anywhere then or happy just make pointless comments that add nothing to the thread?
gattey · 11/12/2021 22:10

🚓🚓 the thread police have turned up.

There are loads of places suggested on the thread, you can just read through them. If you want my favourite it's my home turf, Wimbledon.

Paulina23 · 11/12/2021 22:14

Hampstead Heath, Muswell Hill, Chiswick, Dulchwich.

TeddingtonSchools · 11/12/2021 22:17

@gattey

🚓🚓 the thread police have turned up.

There are loads of places suggested on the thread, you can just read through them. If you want my favourite it's my home turf, Wimbledon.

Ha, not really the thread police at all, but you chose my comment to comment on without adding anything constructive - but well done for your mature response with the police car emojis, hilarious.
gattey · 11/12/2021 22:18

Well it made me chuckle & that's what matters 😜

gattey · 11/12/2021 22:21

but you chose my comment to comment on without adding anything constructive -

Er, you copied & quoted my post & then directed a question at me.

4pmwinetimebebeh · 11/12/2021 22:22

Didsbury and Chorlton in south Manchester. I have friends who live there and the communities are great, lovely schools loads to do and lovely houses. And so close to the city centre. Not affordable enough for me to live there but not too bad for UK.

Soulstirring · 11/12/2021 22:24

Another vote for York and surrounding areas. I live 10 miles away with good rail links to London, Leeds and York

ohreallynotreally · 11/12/2021 22:29

South West Kent ticks 5 out of 6 boxes ! Affordable housing is dependent on how far out you can live to get your children to school and catchment area.

StarryNightSky26 · 11/12/2021 22:30

Gower in S Wales.

Hits all the criteria except possibly affordability but that depends on your point of view. Housing in Gower is ridiculously expensive compared to the rest of Swansea but very affordable compared to lots of other desirable places to live.

TeddingtonSchools · 11/12/2021 23:16

@gattey

but you chose my comment to comment on without adding anything constructive -

Er, you copied & quoted my post & then directed a question at me.

Erm see your comment made at 19:08 where you quoted me first, have you been drinking this eve 😂
gattey · 11/12/2021 23:24

Oh I didn't realise that was you, I couldn't be bothered to scroll back. It was an innocuous comment, I wish I could have bought then but was still at uni, as my mortgage would be tiny in comparison. Not sure why it triggered you though, perhaps it's time for your bed. Night!

halloweenie13 · 11/12/2021 23:36

Lincolnshire, especially villages to the north of Lincoln, ie Welton, Nettleham, Dunholme, Wragby, Market Rasen etc.

TeddingtonSchools · 11/12/2021 23:51

@gattey

Oh I didn't realise that was you, I couldn't be bothered to scroll back. It was an innocuous comment, I wish I could have bought then but was still at uni, as my mortgage would be tiny in comparison. Not sure why it triggered you though, perhaps it's time for your bed. Night!
I hate to tell you this in case it is 'triggering' (😂) for you but I was at uni then too, I just married someone who was already a homeowner and got put on the now tiny mortgage. Anyway night to you too :)

And sorry for the thread derail OP, lots of good suggestions posted :)

gattey · 12/12/2021 07:52

Why on earth would I care that you got married to someone whilst you were at uni whilst I was at uni? I have no idea what's wrong with you or why me replying to a post that lots of nice places were affordable if you bought in the 00s made you upset. It's so bizarre 😆

Linguini · 12/12/2021 08:03

Hampstead Heath, Muswell Hill, Chiswick, Dulchwich

Grin all completely cancelled out by the affordability criteria.

FlatterNow · 12/12/2021 08:11

Otley in West Yorkshire. Ilkley's more affordable close cousin! Prices have gone up lately but still cheaper than many places in that area.

gattey · 12/12/2021 08:23

all completely cancelled out by the affordability criteria.

I actually don't know anywhere that fits the affordability criteria although I guess there are scales. I would love to live in Wim village but would need 5m plus for that but the rest of Wimbledon is more affordable in comparison 😆

Anothermumm · 12/12/2021 08:33

Agree with pp on Shrewsbury, love it there. I'm in Staffordshire and there's lots of little towns and villages here that tick all the points on the list too.