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

[Jbirds]

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.

I love Edinburgh but I'm not sure I'd put it up with places like Rome and Barcelona.

Why not? The history, the landmarks, the architecture, the universities, the arts...it's all there. The weather, not so much.

[quote HesBoughtAFuckingHat]@cafedesreves the town I live in in south Devon is so diverse that a mixed race boy that was in my year group (finished A levels in 2002) is still on the front cover of the school prospectus.[/quote]
!!

@Cbd333

I live in Shrewsbury (grew up here and moved back a couple of years ago from London after DD1 was born) and I love it. It ticks all of those boxes. Only downsides for me are:

• not diverse
• conservative / Brexit heavy
• doesn't attract the best touring theatre productions or music so if you like live entertainment you would need to travel to

Birmingham or Manchester.

This is interesting as I had no idea it was a Tory seat. I have moved from a Tory strong hold and find it far more liberal here. DD is doing politics at the college and said the same having come from a state comp in our old area (where many of the kids are from affluent families) she has really felt the difference in attitude.

@cafedesreves
Probably not many, as soon as you leave the larger cities/towns I find these “nice” places are not that diverse. I’m currently in Winchester which is gorgeous and I hope to stay (looking to buy) but I have to go to Southampton for hair/food or Reading and London.

Edinburgh - beautiful, lively, lovely people, still some affordable areas. Scottish students don't pay tuition fees. Not as polarised and toxic as many parts of England.

SE London

How many of these places are diverse? That's so important to me.

socioeconomically & culturally? very few i'd imagine.

Yes mine is diverse but in no way ticks the 'beautiful' box. Mainly as people who might move halfway round the world for schooling don't give two shts what the area actually looks like. Quite rightly in my opinion.

You can always move somewhere beautiful afterwards.

Depends what you do for a living and if those opportunities are available to you where you plan to move to. If you can work from home then I guess that’s not such a problem but it’s worth considering future employment prospects for your kids. I have several friends and relatives who have moved to some really nice parts but see their grown kids at Christmas and for a week in the summer. Also, my stepsister is trying to move back to London but house prices in the area she lived in has doubled. Just be careful what you wish for.