Salisbury

[vicarc]

Hello,
I've had a house in Salisbury for a while then moved in from overseas just before covid took off. Long story short both my children are settled in grammar schools here but I'm keen to move but keep them in the schools. The flooding is really getting to me and my health (reduced step count due to flooded parks and general constant damp achy feeling) and I've also found the people moving into my small estate are getting more rough around the edges which is hard to deal with when we have to share the upkeep of the place and have some consensus on projects. With the more gentile very elderly selling up to more brash younger boomers the place is losing its charm (less trees, pointless gentrification of nature, more multiple cars, more Chelsea tractors and front gardens lost to sterile drive ways, all the usual). Is Salisbury feeling a lot less flush these days? I feel like the wealth has packed up and left? I'm not a snob for status symbols (cars, houses etc don't impress me) but I like being around more cultured, artsy and traveled people, so I guess I am a snob in that way. There was quite a well off hippy vibe when I moved here but the arts has disappeared, the playhouse shows tripe, the arts center closed down and I just can't help feeling my type of people have left. So where have they gone and is it still a reasonable commute for schools? I really don't know the area that well, I don't want to be on a vast new build estate relying on a car but I was wondering about even Southampton (maybe a younger vibe with all the students but would need an area affluent enough without too many social problems but also maybe a little 'alternative', some arts etc). I think Winchester would be a commuting nightmare. I really don't know, I'm looking for arts, not too old, not too much primark but not too many red trousers and wicker shopping baskets, a balance. Salisbury had a lot of the right mix years ago, it really was lovely before Novichock/Covid but it's just not the same anymore. House buying is one challenge but figuring out which areas are in or on their way out is so hard for a long time expat and Londoner like me. Or maybe just move for 6th form back to London and be done with it?

I think you're romanticising the old Salisbury. I grew up there, it was always a bit shit.

Why would winchester be a commuting nightmare? Assume to London?

It's our nearest proper shopping area and it's definitely gone downhill since Covid, but that's probably no different to lots of towns, North and south.
I still love the area close to the Cathedral, particularly in Spring and summer but agree outside that area it's looking rundown, the constant roadworks on the ring road and Fisherton Street don't help. The Park and Ride at Wilton is totally unkempt. I get that councils are struggling but it's such a shame that everything looks so rundown.
As far as the weather is concerned I totally get where you're coming from. I've never lived in such a damp place as Wiltshire and I’ve previously lived in the Peak District!

I drove through twice this week and was suprised at the flooding/water levels. We live a bit further south and it has been the most damp winter I can remember..
With regards to Salisbury appearing to becoming poorer - I think the two alternatives you mention are suffering exactly the same. Winchester has always been pretty rough around the edges and Southampton isa typical port with all the usual associated poverty. It does however have a decent sized Costco.
Things in all 3 towns will look brighter once spring gets going !

I agree there is a definite lack of culture for people between 20-40yo, those people are not really around.
There isn't much relevant there at all, definitely not for people who have genuine interest in any art scene. It’s very granny crafts.
Saying that in comparison to pompous Bath, it isn’t overrun by the stinking rich which is a plus.
if you’re interested in a more proper art/creative scene probably move to or near Bristol, Frome, Hastings, Folkestone, Margate, Brighton. Or places with a university/art school where students stay on to live after. Sadly London lost a lot of the creative people purely due to affordability issues. Saying that places before have now become pretty expensive also. South of England is very difficult place to live for artists unless you’re loaded!
Forget Winchester dull as dishwater so expensive.

For my children to get to school in central Salisbury. They're happy at school but we're miserable with our housing and when the weekends come we get pretty down in the dumps. I noticed the train fares from Southampton to London are a fraction of the fare from Salisbury. I feel like I should take my children to London more (we have accommodation) to broaden their horizons but South Western are daylight robbery.

The other locations mentioned will have similar issues.

Southampton has its own poverty issues alongside the student vibe of the University.
Bristol is quite ‘upcoming’ among the student & artistic types - but is alone among the most deprived regions - this deprivation is making things affordable for students to opt to remain as they complete studies (I know some who are doing so, but also one who is desperately trying to get out of their current flat to a smaller one due to costs)

The current abundance of flooding is due to particularly high rainfall currently, and ‘ironically’ compounded by the flood defence works under way, which will result in improved flood defence but has also temporarily reduced existing flood defence

There is also investment underway, such as Fisherton gateway with national funding, and this is contributing to the wide ranging roadworks etc in the pothole repair season and & road lifecycle resurfacing works

There are still arty types in and around Salisbury. The arts centre still exists and runs events & shows, City Hall is closed and needs investment - there’s currently an open request to find someone to take on managing City Hall, which if it fails will likely result in it going to redevelopment
The Playhouse is catering for commercial shows - but also has its own local society running their own productions.

https://www.facebook.com/MusicalTheatreSalisbury

I know a couple of the members and they would welcome someone with an arty view to join up (and gain experience if your children are inclined to the performing arts)

https://www.theatresonline.com/theatres/salisbury-theatres

There are local bands etc with a live scene still underway, but is dependant on your taste

Must be awful for you.

Why don’t you consider a small town nearby such as Ringwood or Fordingbridge or even Lymington or Romsey which are a bit further?

We actually do live in 'pompous Bath' which yes has lots of rich people but lots of other people too- we have quite a few enormous council estates for a start.

We go to Salisbury quite often as I like the Saturday market- if you think it's bad then you need to take a grand tour around because I'm well travelled in southern England and looks better than average to me - and it's pretty wet in much of the south west at the moment !! If you want to keep your kids at school on Salisbury then nowhere else is that suitable as it's a bit on its own!!

@vicarc apologies- wasn't you calling Bath pompous - was another poster - actually I think Bath would suit- it is connected on train too but not commutable for school etc and50 minutes drive