Checking out Stroud and surrounds - where do you suggest?

[Longdrive89]

DH and I are going to check out Stroud as we have a work opportunity we’re considering not far away and we’ve been told we’d like it as a place to live - or one of the surrounding villages.

Can anyone recommend where we should check out? Good locations to stay? Google tells me Randwick and Painswick are nice?

Nailsworth is a very attractive town not far from Stroud. Good independent shops and extremely pretty. Painswick is indeed nice-look at Minchinhampton and Tetbury is lovely too. Dursley, Uley and Slad are all extremely pretty. My DH grew up just outside Stroud and is telling me these places as I type! Obviously Bisley-home of Jilly Cooper. In Stroud itself, the Bisley Road area is nice-Victorian houses.Some of Stroud town is quite gritty. It really depends on whether you want town or village-and your budget.

Do you have children ? If they are at primary age you need to think about catchments. Foxmoor school has a good reputation but is in Cashes Green which is not pretty village territory.

Budget is also important. Randwick is a pretty little village with a small primary school and some sense of community. It doesn't have a shop though.
What kind of house are you after?
Some of the more picturesque houses are grade II listed which means stricter rules for upgrading/repairing and higher cost.