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Original poster

Stroud vs Frome vs Rye

48 replies

Whichonewhichonewhichone · 31/01/2023 14:10

We have no family or friends connections to any of these places! But love all three. We work from home 100% of the time and have small kids.

London is too expensive and we feel sick of the price of everything there.

Budget about £800k.

Looking for:
-good for kids
-a strong community
-easy to meet people and make friends
-lovely walks nearby

Which would you choose?

OP posts:
Original poster
Whichonewhichonewhichone · 31/01/2023 14:15

We also liked Hove, but it was a bit trafficky, which put me off.

Oh another thing I like is: a place that has loads of little things to do - workshops etc you can join to learn new hobby skills, etc.

OP posts:
BlueberryWheats · 31/01/2023 17:47

I'm guessing that's Rye in Sussex? No opinion on the other two I'm afraid but I live near Rye. It is nice, plenty of arts and creativity, your budget would get you something nice in a surrounding village if that's what you were after. A big consideration for you might be schools though as the secondary school in Rye doesn't have an amazing reputation. There are popular state schools in Tenterden, Battle and Robertsbridge and grammar schools in Ashford but they might require quite a commitments to daily travel. Cranbrook is- I believe- still highly regarded but Rye isn't in the catchment area. There are a few prep and independent secondary options within a 20 mile radius.

Lifestyle-wise it is nice with nearby beaches, watersports, lovely nature reserve etc. and I think plenty for kids to do. I like that it is rural enough but easy to hop on the fast train to St Pancras!

Badger1970 · 31/01/2023 17:56

My sister in law lives in Stroud, and I personally think it's very run down/poor. And has a strong hippy vibe (SIL fits right in). The surrounding villages are pretty, but it's the back arse of nowhere for kids especially teenagers. The nearest decent shopping areas are Cheltenham and Bath. Yes there's lots of lovely walking, and the whole area is very picture postcard but you have to drive everywhere. If Gloucestershire appeals, I'd look closer to Cheltenham with that budget.

Original poster
Whichonewhichonewhichone · 31/01/2023 21:54

Yes Rye in Sussex - I must admit I hadn’t looked at secondary schools, so that’s a good shout!

OP posts:
TheaBrandt · 31/01/2023 21:58

Bath is better than Frome. Dds friends (teens) who live in Frome wish they lived in Bath - lots have parents who moved there from London. Secondaries aren’t great there hence why the teens flog into Bath schools. Bath has better schools more to do culturally and country walks

UniversalTruth · 31/01/2023 22:03

Bath possibly isn't the right place for someone sick of the price of things though!

No advice on your address OP but good luck

Howeverdoyouneedme · 31/01/2023 22:09

Have you looked at Lewes or Totnes? Similar vibes.

Of those three, I think I’d go to Stroud, but agree it’s not as middle class as it looks and very knit your own yoghurt. Frome is a bit tea rooms and mushrooms. I liked Rye when we visited last year on holiday, but felt a disconnected.

Howeverdoyouneedme · 31/01/2023 22:11

Oh, and Woodbridge.

devildeepbluesea · 31/01/2023 22:12

It’s been a while but I’m not keen on Frome. Stroud is ok - surrounding areas are beautiful and I quite like the vibe there. Don’t know about Rye.

iwishitwasdifferent01 · 31/01/2023 22:17

I live about 18 mins from
Frome, I do my shopping there so use it quite a lot.

I don't know about schools as ours are in an independent but it has a lot of ex-Londoners and a great vibe I think.

You'll get a lot more for your money in Frome than you will in Bath.

Also the traffic is horrendous in Bath.

SnuggleBuggleBoo · 31/01/2023 22:20

I lived in Frome for a spell. Everyone is permanently high, kids openly smoking weed en masse. It's got a really 'alternative' vibe. Not somewhere I'd choose to return to.

Tunnocks2022 · 31/01/2023 23:05

Visited Frome with friends a few months ago and none of us liked it. Highlights were the anti-drug, talking toilets, drunks by the river in the middle of the afternoon, park full of litter. Maybe we got it on a bad day?! I have quite a lot of colleagues who live there and love it!

SummerSazz · 31/01/2023 23:22

I live near Stroud, with teenagers who are very happy...

Great schools, access to cheltenham/Glos easily and just under 1.5hrs into London on the train. Moved here from Hove and love it

For 800k you could get something big in Stroud or very decent in surrounding villages

Happy to answer any Q's

Mydogatemypurse · 31/01/2023 23:23

I used to live in frome. Pleasant but boring, attempting at a hippy vibe. Nothing special to be honest. Has an asda.

Gloschick · 31/01/2023 23:39

Stroud is good for schools and community although as PP say a little rundown. Nailsworth just to the south is a bit nicer. Wotton under edge ticks all your boxes. It is a bit out of the way transport wise, but that strengthens the community aspect. Cirencester is worth looking at if you want somewhere bigger..

xeraco · 01/02/2023 15:20

Wouldn't choose Frome for a family.
So many stoned people, litter everywhere and a weird vibe.

Whammyyammy · 01/02/2023 18:00

Frome is awful.

PutYourBackIntoit · 01/02/2023 18:28

I live in a town near Stroud, and absolutely love living here (not in Stroud but a nearby town). Moved from SE London.
So much going on, amazing outdoors lifestyle, trains are handy.

Secondary schools is my one concern. We've ended going private, but our kids have mild sen/spld.

However, I also love Frome, love visiting. So I think I like your style :)

Donelurking · 01/02/2023 18:39

BlueberryWheats · 31/01/2023 17:47

I'm guessing that's Rye in Sussex? No opinion on the other two I'm afraid but I live near Rye. It is nice, plenty of arts and creativity, your budget would get you something nice in a surrounding village if that's what you were after. A big consideration for you might be schools though as the secondary school in Rye doesn't have an amazing reputation. There are popular state schools in Tenterden, Battle and Robertsbridge and grammar schools in Ashford but they might require quite a commitments to daily travel. Cranbrook is- I believe- still highly regarded but Rye isn't in the catchment area. There are a few prep and independent secondary options within a 20 mile radius.

Lifestyle-wise it is nice with nearby beaches, watersports, lovely nature reserve etc. and I think plenty for kids to do. I like that it is rural enough but easy to hop on the fast train to St Pancras!

You might need to dig a bit more deeply regarding schools. Reputations are not always that helpful. I hear that Rye College is getting much better.

AsanteSana · 01/02/2023 18:58

Stroud is a dump! I was born and brought up there and escaped at 17. All the way from Chalford to the Stroudwater junction of the M5 it is depressing, built up, suffocating and feels gloomy, hemmed in and just generally weird and unwelcoming, despite its 'green' credentials and popularity with luvvies, arty farty folks and hippies. Never understood the love for Stroud.

Agree that many of the surrounding villages, out of the Stroud Valley itself, are lovely though

TheFairyCaravan · 01/02/2023 19:04

AsanteSana · 01/02/2023 18:58

Stroud is a dump! I was born and brought up there and escaped at 17. All the way from Chalford to the Stroudwater junction of the M5 it is depressing, built up, suffocating and feels gloomy, hemmed in and just generally weird and unwelcoming, despite its 'green' credentials and popularity with luvvies, arty farty folks and hippies. Never understood the love for Stroud.

Agree that many of the surrounding villages, out of the Stroud Valley itself, are lovely though

Totally agree.

I escaped from the Stroud area 30 years ago when I was 21, although the rest of my family still live in the vicinity. I don’t get the love for it at all. There’s so many more beautiful areas of the country. Every time I go back I thank my lucky stars I don’t live there anymore.

Bluesclues1 · 01/02/2023 19:10

How about Wells? Artsy vibe, nice independent shops and pretty high street.

Within easy reach of Bath and Bristol.

AsanteSana · 01/02/2023 19:18

@TheFairyCaravan, thank you, glad I am not the only one who feels like this about Stroud! Like you, I still have family in the vicinity and can only ever bear to visit for a day, at most! I find it totally oppressive and, as I drive away, always feel as though a gloomy cloud has been lifted from my shoulders!

Kentlassie · 01/02/2023 19:45

DH is from Frome. It is so trendy these days but I find it has a weird, too extreme, alternative vibe. Whenever we visit it feels like there is a rundown area and then the artsy expensive shops but nothing in between.

Ivyleaguestoner · 01/02/2023 19:50

What about one of the neighbouring villages to Bristol like Keynsham or Chipping Sodbury?
I love Frome though, but love mushrooms so fit in alright. I like a choice of incense shops.