Relocating to Bristol- Thornbury, Wotton-Over-Edge, or Stroud

[Zoomom]

Relocating (due to work) to be commutable to just north of Bristol and trying to decide where we will live hopefully in a forever home (no pressure there). Looking for advice on where to live, from anyone with knowledge or who lives/has lived in this area. We currently live in a family friendly london commuter market town with outstanding schools which we love. We have a 2.5yo and 6mo so a similar family friendly community is a must. I am a city girl at heart and I love that I can pop into London whenever but raise my kids somewhere “wholesome”. I am American, and mixed south Asian- so some level of “international” and diversity appeals to me. Currently live in an overpriced 3 bed semi so moving out west is appealing since we would have a £600k budget for a 4 bed. Would live in a nice part of Bristol if we could afford it and have the bigger house, but we can’t so I’ve written that off as we need more house!

We have narrowed down to Thornbury, Wotton-under-Edge, and Stroud.

Thornbury seems most similar to our current town and has the shortest commute by car but seemingly no commuter train line. The schools are good as well. The town seems cute but plain and I wonder if people mostly venture into Bristol for culture or if there is enough going on in town. Our current town is a bit larger and has some varied restaurants due to the London crowd moving in, which we like, so I worry Thornbury isn’t quite as similar as I would like. Worried it’s too bland!

Wotton-under-edge seems lovely, perched in the Cotswolds, with a good secondary school. The American in me loves the idea of living my British dream in the Cotswolds. The town itself seems small though and far removed from major grocery stores which we are not used to as we currently live a 2 min drive from a Waitrose and Tesco, and lived in major cities before this. Seems to be a family friendly, tight community. Similar to Thornbury but more remote. Worried it’s too small.

Stroud seems to be really well connected and seems to marry the benefits of living in a large town/ hub with being family friendly. Good schools, affordable, great high street area with lots to offer. Speaks to my love for cities. I like that it’s artsy, and the big farmers market. Worried it’s a bit up and coming, maybe too rough around the edges?

We have ruled out Portishead and Nailsea/Backwell as the commute seems to be more impeded by traffic around Bristol.

Any advice/suggestions greatly appreciated!

Last time I went into Thornbury to collect DH from work I thought that the town was dying on its feet and the leisure centre also looked pretty ropey.
If you want good rail connections then look at Yate or Keynsham.

I grew up in Stroud. I'm not sure how multicultural it is but it's got a decent amount of stuff going on. It has two grammars and a comprehensive in Stroud itself. Archway used to be very good but I think it went into special measures so not sure what other secondaries are around there.

Stroud would be my choice,

There is no train line to Bristol from Stroud, but it is a good place to live. Archway is not in special measures.

We are near Stroud.

I wouldn’t especially describe it as up and coming, it’s a fairly established town that enjoys an arty and quirky reputation. Local markets and a decent amount of things to do.

Im originally from London and I still struggle with early closing of shops etc. There’s more available in nearby Gloucester and Cheltenham but they don’t have the same vibe.

There are a few rough parts but they’re mainly confined to pockets, much like most places. Not especially diverse either but that’s the case with lots of towns round here (again, a bit weird to me as a Londoner!)

If you want a mix of Cotswoldy type living plus decent amenities and proximity to Bristol it’s a good pick.

North Bristol commute from Nailsea/ backwell is honestly fine! I wouldn't rule it out on that basis. Train to filton is fine and regular and drive is fine- except Friday afternoons in the summer!

We live in Bristol. My in-laws live in Thornbury. I wouldn’t move to Thornbury given what you’re looking for. It’s nice enough but very suburban, the town centre seems to be forever having shops closing down, and I wouldn’t say there’s much going on there.

I’d go for Stroud if I were you. It’s quirky, nice town centre and beautiful countryside. However, if you’re considering Stroud, why not look at Cheltenham? Beautiful place, lovely houses and train to Bristol?

Come and join us in Bath- nicely international and tons of buzz plus great schools- plus train direct to Bristol both central and parkway or drive (about 35 minutes)

This is a 3 bed detached but big lounge plus big separate dining room

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/138734237#/?channel=RES_BUY

I'm thinking your job might be Aztec West based (big out of town business park)? You could look at Portishead? Jump on the M5 up to North Bristol in no time. Due to get. Train station into Bristol. X

How big a house do you want? You can actually get quite a lot for around £600k in some family-friendly parts of north Bristol, with a lot more access to things to do, and more diversity, than you would probably find in the smaller towns you mention. For example: https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/133348676#/?channel=RES_BUY Handy for green space, Waitrose, little cinema, independent shops and cafes and so on. But you obviously won't get a big detached house with huge garden for that price in Bristol.

Ah sorry. I'm glad to hear that. I think it was it had definitely needed improvement when my niece was starting secondary - but to be fair that was a while ago.

I live in Bristol and I wouldn't live in Thornbury, not alot going on there and I personally think its a bit rough.

Almondsbury is better than Thornbury (alot smaller ) and its a bit before Thornbury, but its not really very big.

No idea about the other areas sorry.

Avoid W-U-E if you're looking for diversity. No rail link either. Stroud has a big drugs problem. Thornbury best of a bad bunch tbh.
Personally I'd go over the bridge to Chepstow for the type of vibe you're describing. Only 30 mins to N Bristol and close to Cardiff, Gloucester and right on the edge of The Forest of Dean.

I live in Wotton.

Pros: STUNNING countryside
Very welcoming residents
Very family friendly
Real sense of community
Town feels 'loved'
Cotswolds, but not too twee or chocolate box-y
Amazing state primary and secondary schools
Close enough to bigger shops (e.g. Tesco superstore in Yate and Sainsbury's / Lidl in Dursley) that I've never noticed it being an issue.
Can get to big towns fairly easily by car.

Cons:
Public transport pretty much nonexistent
Lack of diversity
Several of the independent shops on the high street have recently closed down
No decent restaurants or takeaways (except the Falcon Steakhouse).

I've not been to Thornbury much so can't speak to that, but am often in Stroud. It's not my favourite place. Generally feels a bit run down and full of crusty anti-vaxx hippies.

I live near this area and am familiar with all 3 places. I would definitely choose Thornbury. Consider it a suburb of Bristol and yes you will need to go into Bristol for culture. Very wholesome with loads of people returning to have their own families here. Lots of nice toddler groups/cafes. Not diverse but better than Wotton. Lots of people who have lived in London or Bristol and a fair number of international families. I would steer clear of Wotton due to lack of diversity. Also no to Stroud as it's quite rough and very bohemian. And far from Bristol. All 3 have great primary and Secondary schools. Stroud has grammar schools though - but you could commute from Thornbury or Wotton if necessary.

@Zoomom you could also look at Tetbury (Prince Charles pad is there) - I know all these places as we live in Bath and Tetbury seems to match as well. I like Stroud but it won't be for everyone- it is indeed artsy and a bit 'crusty'. But I quite like that.