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Original poster

If you left London and you liked living somewhere arty…

206 replies

Longdrive89 · 23/02/2023 23:24

… Where did you go? I am starting to feel very restless and London is making me cynical!

We’re going to check out Stroud and surrounds this weekend hopefully.

Where else should we look?

We both have very in demand jobs (healthcare / education type things) and have that freedom. We’re also considering abroad because of this!

OP posts:
LifeunderMarrs · 26/02/2023 00:42

notsosoftanymore · 25/02/2023 21:48

I can't believe that those thinking it's easy to get from Stroud to other places, maybe they go at midnight or 5 am? My last two journeys from Stroud to Frome and Glastonbury via Bath were twice as long as the satnav predicted because Bath traffic has become so appalling. The journeys took place in 5 metre jumps!

Similarly the joke of using the M5 to get to Devon or Cornwall. Friday nights since lockdown feature gridlocked roads in every possible direction and monotonously all-too-regular accidents.
Bristol is a huge relief from small town life and it's worth struggling to get there.
I'm sure Bristol has its anti vaxxers but at least you aren't endlessly accosted by them along with the 5G mast protestors!

Nailsworth used to be a nice little place but I often find myself agreeing with other locals bemused by Fridays and Saturdays which feature drivers going up and down the town hoping at least one parking space will eventually become free because every single space and all the side roads are full and, as someone said to me this morning, 'why do these people buy their ridiculous large vehicles if they can't park them, let alone reverse on the narrow twisty roads!'

As to the trope 'Stroudie' are those the ones who live in Uplands or is it Paganhill? Oh dear no, not the latter, I believe there's social housing there. Perhaps it's Minchinhampton with the horsey set? Or indeed Nailsworth, just make sure you're the 'right' side of Springhill! Lots of food bank users up there.

Still, I'm sure we're talking extended stone Cotswold cottage with high decking and a hot tub and of course, Steiner education except Winstones was closed after a damning Ofsted report and is now up for sale, a snip at £4 million.

Here's a little information about Gloucestershire population growth, Stroud included, www.varbes.com/population/stroud-population
.... up, up and away..... can't wait (not).

Oh dear...

notsosoftanymore · 26/02/2023 06:33

@massifcentral
What is arty about Stroud?

Good question. It's a place, like any other but it comes with a load of BS and I hate BS. In fact, the BS is part of what has wrecked an OK place. The local Facebook chat groups used to be full of this until the marketing types who loved the stupid articles in The Telegraph/Times etc saying it was one of the 'best ' places to live in the UK meaning ready for the pretentious, shut down the discussions!

Some discussions are still allowed like the recent dismay over the arrival of Starbucks, hilarious, there are dozens of cafes where you can buy hugely expensive coffee, there's even, shock, horror, a Costa! But then 'Stroudies' like their cold, expensive coffee along with 'independent' shops where you can buy sourdough bread and clothing at eye watering prices. Must make them feel special in some way.

Do have a wander around the back streets and you will see the array of glittering, monstrous, out of character edifices constructed by the beneficiaries of the London property market.

Hence, most genuine artists along with their children can barely any longer afford to live in the space. Never mind there's always the Saturday Market where you too can find sh*t covered organic vegetables for three times the price of even Waitrose but then 'Stroudies' don't like supermarkets! It's such a laugh watching it all, worthy of a sitcom.

BeautifulDayintheneighbourhood · 26/02/2023 07:16

I think there is a divide between locals and incomers. Particularly from London. However there are lots of people who aren’t wealthy , just love the area and want to get out of busier more metropolitan areas for a better quality of life. There are lots of interesting events/discussions/protests and lots of strong opinions. It can be exhausting at times and feel quite stressful. However at least there is a buzz and people who question things and are trying to work towards a better world . In general materialism doesn’t dominate.
If you sit in a cafe for any length of time ( not the big chains) you will overhear fascinating animated discussion about a wide range of subjects. Not so in other places I have found .

There are limited opportunities for work unless it is home based and that is a bit of a downside. Young people brought up in Stroud tend to leave to find work, and public transport isn’t great, though there is a train station.

Stroud is dominated by people working as therapists/artists and those running workshops of various kinds, many of whom have migrated from London or elsewhere. Those born and bred in Stroud tend to keep away from that scene which does create a divide.

I am told that crime is on the up (break ins ) . Drugs have always been a big problem and that’s getting worse. So it’s no idyll.

Crikeyalmighty · 26/02/2023 16:46

I'm really not sure what some people want. We popped over to stroud 2 weeks ago on a Saturday - very nice enjoyable potter. Yes I can see it has elements of pretension but I would much rather have that than an out and out run down crap hole . Given the number of posts here asking for places to move from London with an arty/liberal vibe and nice scenery but 'relatively' affordable- I can only presume it's what a lot of mumsnetters are looking for too.

HelloDaisy · 28/02/2023 06:57

Hastings old town is great. Lots to do, feels arty and has a good community feel to it.

Shimmermetimbers · 28/02/2023 07:20

We left London and moved to just near Tetbury (on the side near the Arboretum so not far off the M4).
Absolutely loved it! Had a beautiful cottage in the middle of a field, Bath and Bristol and Cribbs all close by plus all of the amazing countryside.
Commuted into Bristol City centre every day, was fine (except for parking charges but we got round that)

SRS29 · 28/02/2023 07:34

OP my eldest DD has just moved to Hove.....it's absolutely lovely, very arty with loads on independent businesses and such really nice vibe. Big wide sweeping roads leading down to the seafront ....would highly recommend (no idea on schools though...)

Doone21 · 28/02/2023 07:48

Small old cities like Salisbury, Winchester, Chichester are all brilliant with loads of history, beauty and things to do

Trixiefirecracker · 28/02/2023 07:57

My sister is an artist in Stroud. Always amazed at how much is going on in that area. Also on the edge of lovely countryside. Totnes is fab. Hebden is also okay but has a bit of a checkered past and problems with flooding so be careful where you look. Houses at bottom of valley never get the sun. York is nice. Lots going on. Has an arts scene, may not be as apparent as other places but lots of community stuff dotted around and has a ‘town’ feel about it, even though a city.

CurrentHun · 28/02/2023 08:04

OP don’t move to Stroud (or Gloucestershire) for progressive education, it’s a grammar school county. The relatively affluent kids are tutored up to their eyes from a young age with accompanying stress. Social divide between grammar and kids who ‘fail’ the 11+ and go non selective.

Yes there’s plenty of Steiner type options, which is obviously a private education. So none of that is necessarily progressive it’s more individualistic looking out for your own family/child.

Trixiefirecracker · 28/02/2023 08:10

CurrentHun · 28/02/2023 08:04

OP don’t move to Stroud (or Gloucestershire) for progressive education, it’s a grammar school county. The relatively affluent kids are tutored up to their eyes from a young age with accompanying stress. Social divide between grammar and kids who ‘fail’ the 11+ and go non selective.

Yes there’s plenty of Steiner type options, which is obviously a private education. So none of that is necessarily progressive it’s more individualistic looking out for your own family/child.

There are other school apart from Grammar schools. My nieces went to an ordinary secondary and were really happy there. They have a close bunch of friends and are all involved in music and arts in some way.

CurrentHun · 28/02/2023 08:35

That’s great for your niece Trixie but it doesn’t discount what I am saying. OP is looking for ‘progressive’ education and I don’t think it’s progressive educationally or socially for whole county school systems to cream off the most academically able kids to a few schools and then to leave the comprehensive schools with a disproportionate number of kids with the highest needs and also to say to all of those pupils at the comprehensive that they have ‘failed’ something important to their lives.

Snailsaresweet · 28/02/2023 08:44

Lot of practicing artists and craftspeople in Frome, and lots of nice indy shops and old houses to buy. BUT the rise in house prices means there's a growing divide between locals and incomers, there is a massive amount of current and future housing development not matched by services such as doctors/schools, and an awful lot of people need to commute to Bath/Bristol/Trowbridge to work, as there aren't enough jobs within the town.

Amy8 · 28/02/2023 08:46

I'm guessing you mean a particular type of art scene - what else really beats the art scene of Notting hill , Bethnal Green and up and coming areas in London ? Maybe move into a better artsy area

Lollzi86 · 28/02/2023 10:44

Leeds/Calder valley/hebden bridge/Harrogate areas. Lots to do in Leeds, pottery, art galleries, scenic walks, dance classes….it’s got it all.

Bananawomaan · 28/02/2023 11:20

Can't believe some of the comments on Margate! I think it's great.

Brighton nice too, but £££, and Cambridge lovely but even more ££££ - most expensive after London I think, though nearby Ely is cheaper and worth a look

Norwich is a good suggestion I think - arty in the sense that actual artists live there and also v left wing (relatively speaking), and affordable, compared to some of the other places mentioned.

tiger2691 · 28/02/2023 11:24

HelloDaisy · 28/02/2023 06:57

Hastings old town is great. Lots to do, feels arty and has a good community feel to it.

Yep, DFL central, along with Normans Road, Kings Road, The Marina, oh and the Bohemia Creative Quarter. No doubt Silverhill is next, followed by Ore. A fatal and unstoppable virus.

Harper67 · 28/02/2023 11:40

Stroud is the first place that springs to mind, like everyone has suggested. I lived in the local area and a lot of the surrounding towns and villages fit the bill too.

Also, Glastonbury? Very arty and similar vibe to Stroud by smaller.

Crikeyalmighty · 28/02/2023 12:31

If I can also mention lovely Wells. We frequently pop there on a Saturday when Bath is heaving and it's about a 35 minute drive. Lovely place for a potter- great market and cafes etc and housing is comparable to many of the nicer places 'up north ' . It's only downer is it's not on the train .

sixfoot · 28/02/2023 14:07

OMG not Glastonbury, it’s full of stoned anti vaxxers

Crikeyalmighty · 28/02/2023 15:16

@sixfoot Ha, ha- I would agree and it's useless for practical stuff- it's a bit crystals and broomsticks- mind you much as I likeStroud - it reeked of weed too and slightly had that feel- just more practical stuff too.

bagelbagelbagel · 28/02/2023 15:45

Bananawomaan · 28/02/2023 11:20

Can't believe some of the comments on Margate! I think it's great.

Brighton nice too, but £££, and Cambridge lovely but even more ££££ - most expensive after London I think, though nearby Ely is cheaper and worth a look

Norwich is a good suggestion I think - arty in the sense that actual artists live there and also v left wing (relatively speaking), and affordable, compared to some of the other places mentioned.

It's great for the people that can afford to live in a bubble.

bagelbagelbagel · 28/02/2023 15:46

Harper67 · 28/02/2023 11:40

Stroud is the first place that springs to mind, like everyone has suggested. I lived in the local area and a lot of the surrounding towns and villages fit the bill too.

Also, Glastonbury? Very arty and similar vibe to Stroud by smaller.

I didn't find Glastonbury to be arty at all, it was a very strange place that seemed to be utterly devoid of soul.

Crikeyalmighty · 28/02/2023 15:49

@bagelbagelbagel totally agree

Kafkascat · 28/02/2023 17:09

@Lollzi86 and slowly the locals are even being priced out of there..