Moving to north Wales?

[wherethecityis]

We are considering moving to north Wales.
We are going to check out some areas next weekend, and were wondering where is nice to live within a reasonable commuting distance of Bangor?
We would want to be further east than Bangor, and preferably near the coast.
Thanks

It's only really Welsh speaking west of Bangor and some parts of Anglesey, so whilst it's lovely to learn some of the language I wouldn't over think it.
Not true. In most of the rural areas the daily language is Welsh.

I don't think the OP is thinking of moving to the more rural areas. Basically op you will find a big difference in the use of the Welsh language between towns like Llandudno and Caernarfon.

@Hairyfairy01 , she might not, but there are places that are commutable to Bangor that are towns in fairly rural areas e.g. Llanrwst, Bethesda where the everyday language is Welsh.

Just don’t get ill. The health service is appalling. Truly dreadful.
The nurse at my parents’ GP practice said she rented a bedsit in Chester for an English address when her husband got cancer.

There is absolutely nothing for teens and everyone is white. Public transport is sketchy. In the summer and over bank holidays the A55 is chocka with holiday traffic.

If you crave a rural life it’s great. If you like anything about city living, you’ll hate it. The scenery is lovely.

My sister loves it, and thinks London is scary. I got out the second I could. It’s culturally several decades behind.

(Flintshire CC still use faxed documents rather than electronic ones, ffs. In our industry they are a byword for being backward)

There are a lot of positives, but when thinking of moving, it’s essential to be realistic about the bad stuff.

This and welsh culture and language should be promoted throughout Wales. It's quite upsetting seeing it being fragmented.

There is absolutely nothing for teens and everyone is white.
There is plenty for teenagers to do, if they are motivated.
Not everyone is white, but you won't see many who aren't. The population of North Wales was recorded as 97.3 % white in 2019.

I grew up in a rural hamlet, and managed just fine. There was a local Aelwyd yr Urdd and YFC.

I wouldn’t be working for the council.
We’ve been there several times over the summer (and almost every summer for 7 years previously) and the A55 traffic is nothing compared to what we’re used to in London!
I’m really not worried about the Welsh aspect. It wouldn’t bother me the DC going to a Welsh medium school and I’d try my best to learn it as it’s required by the job. I think even if it wasn’t I’d want to try because despite not being Welsh I can see why it’s so important to people there and I’d want to be part of that community and do what I can to integrate even if Welsh isn’t t spoken that commonly in the area I moved to.
I love city life but I also know that our current jobs will put us in an early grave. We have no time to ever do anything so everything on our doorstep is just wasted because we never get to take advantage of it. Traffic is ridiculous. We have no family anywhere nearby so have very little support. Public transport from where I am into central London is brilliant but to get anywhere else it’s awful.
I know moving somewhere so small or more rural won’t be easy for us but I don’t see overall how ours lives could be worse than they are now.

One of the reasons I love Wales is their devolved government, free prescriptions for all etc.

I agree with visiting in the winter it is very different. Also commuting to work in the High season is challenging. Health care is so much better than in England although both are shite realistically

That's not true at all. There are just the odd words and phrases that are different

There is a fairly good chance we're related.

@TheGander , when they teach Welsh they teach colloquial Welsh, which IMO makes it harder.

The people saying that The north walians and south walians don't understand each other may not be aware that you get people claiming to be Welsh speakers when is a dialect of English (Wenglish). They may have a GCSE in Welsh, but that doesn't mean they're fluent speakers.

I dont wish to be mean, but think really carefully about North Wales. There are far nicer places in the north of England (and yes I was brought up in the likes of Flint and Connahs quay, not pretty places like the OP is looking at, but even then, there is just no money in the place)

At the very least, go and stay there in the Winter months, not just on holiday, actually live there for a time first. It may suit you completely which is great. (It doesnt suit everyone)

While that is true, there’s not a job for me in the north of England and there is one in North Wales. So it’s very much a case of I move to Wales or I don’t move at all.
Because of that I also don’t have the luxury of waiting and going to stay during winter to see if I like it.

Have you considered Bangor itself OP? Direct train routes to Chester, Cardiff London etc. Near to both coast and mountains. In terms of housing the areas around the hospital tends to be considered the nicest, along with certain parts around the pier or 'Roman camp'. Due to the hospital staff the area is more culturally diverse than other areas. I would be looking at secondary school options as these are quite varied locally (even if it does seem like a long way off atm).

Lol, I expect so!

I grew up in North wales (Buckley) so know what you mean, but Flint and Connah’s quay are particularly rough. It returning to N Wales for me meant moving to those places I’d run 1000 miles in the opposite direction! I’m only considering returning because my kids will have finished education, I’d have never have let him go to school in north wales, for other reasons than just the standard (as it’s not horrific by any stretch). I mean I went to Elfed and earn a good salary!

I second Anglesey-Menai Bridge is a pretty town with sophisticated food options. Some parts of Anglesey are very gentrified-Rhosneigr is like a mini Abersoch these days. If you don’t mind commuting down the A55 to Bangor, Flintshire is pretty nice. There are some villages like Cilcain and Pantymwyn where you’d think you could be anywhere in an affluent village in England. My friend lives in Mynydd Isa in between Mold and Buckley-her kids did very well with the local school and went to well regarded universities. Lots of things will suit active kids like riding and mountain climbing. I say moving east is a good move later on as you have easy access to Chester and Liverpool. My kids now live in Manchester and it’s an easy journey to see them. Avoid certain areas and you will be fine-like anywhere. And we’ve never experienced racism.

I’m north Salian born and bred. Bangor is ok as is Anglesey and Caernarfon etc and the areas between st Asaph and west towards Llandudno area. There are places that are dodgy - just as in London or anywhere . Do your research and look at the Welsh index of multiple deprivation and you should be ok.

I have done and it would be amazing to live so close to work and avoid a huge commute. But there doesn’t really seem to be very much in the way of nice affordable houses there

It's a lovely place to holiday but I wouldn't want to live there I know a lot of towns are losing shops but even Bangor pre Covid didn''t have much. There's little for older teens and getting around is a nightmare ....Llanfairfechen relies on the A55 which can come to a standstill so you can't get out. Penmaenmawr has a back road to Conwy via the sychnat pass which is beautiful in summer.
Have you spent a few weeks up there?

Definitely

I work for Flintshire CC and have done for years. I have never seen or sent a fax 😂 wouldn’t even know how to!

op I think a pp suggestion of villages surrounding mold is a good one. Pantymwyn, mynydd isa and Northop are nice. Hawarden is also a lovely area. Drury is nice and close to A55 as is Northop hall.
easy enough to go to Bangor on the A55 but also get quickly to Chester and Liverpool or Manchester. Although as a pp says the A55 on bank hols is ridiculous

It's quite a commute from the Flintshire area to Bangor. I think I would be tempted to look for some place nearer. Are you willing to say what your budget / housing requirements are OP? I agree that Bangor is expensive and you can get a lot more for your money by being just a bit further out. Have you looked in Menai Bridge, Y Felinheli, Tregarth, Llandygai? Although you may find some of these too rural. Have you considered Llandudno? Some areas are very cheap, but be wary if they appear too cheap, there is often a very good reason / s.

@fluffysheeparewonderful - every other local authority will pay our specialist contract workers based on electronic signatures. Flintshire will only do faxes. It's bizarre.

Mynydd Isa is basically a series of housing estates on a hill. At least they're demolishing the concrete monstrosity that was the high school. Much of the other villages around Mold aren't bad.

Buckley is a bit of a shithole, but in comparison to Connor's Quay, Flint and Queensferry it's not that bad.

@Zanatdy - anyone who survived Elfed and thrived is a force to be reckoned with! We're 6 generations Buckley on one side and 3 on the other - I ran as soon as I could.