Moving to the Welsh valleys.

[Tootsiroll]

Hi all, long time lurker here looking for some input.

My partner and I live in Bristol, we've lived here for five years, neither of us are from here originally and both are in our early 30's. Our families are back in our respective home towns and we don't have kids yet so we're quite free to do as we please.

About a year ago one of our friends relocated to Wales, he was in the area last month visiting family and we had the chance to meet up. Long and short of it, he offered my partner a job working along side him. In all honesty I've never had the desire to move to Wales, it's never even crossed my mind to go there but it feels like it could be an opportunity.

Our friend now lives in Merthyr Tydfil and loves it there. He lives in a terrace which he describes as "Cosy" and he can't praise to locals enough for being friendly. While we don't have to live in the same area it would be nice to have someone we know living close by plus work would be on our doorstep so almost no commute for my partner.

However, look up Merthyr on Google and YouTube and what you get doesn't exactly inspire confidence. The Gurnos comes up a lot as does footage from a TV program called "Skint". It's also on lists of "Worst places to live" and "Turdtowns"

I guess what I'm after is some opinions from people who might actually live there or have some first hand experiance of it. The Gurnos Estate isn't Merthyr just like Hartcliffe isn't Bristol, there's good and bad places everywhere. Maybe someone might be able to tell me some of the better places as well as where to avoid? Am I grazy for even thinking about it?

I won't mention the pool......

Now could be a great time to move to that area if Rhydycar West gets the go ahead.

If you are going to do it stick to pontypridd or Treforest. Both have easy access to Cardiff. Also Caerphilly is OK, especially on the mountain. However houses not as cheap as further up but you really need to be born and bred to find the valleys it a comfortable place to live. It's incredibly insular and deprived.

I live in Merthyr borough, in a village about halfway between Merthyr and Pontypridd. I also used to live in Horfield, Bristol and much prefer the quieter life, my own driveway and not facing the battle of finding on street parking daily in Bristol. It's only an hour away so easy enough to visit when you want. I'd recommend choosing somewhere that has a train station. House prices however are much higher than 5 years ago.

I’m moving to Blaengwynfi next month from London I’ve stayed a few nights already and it’s so quiet from where I live now met a few people whilst went on a walk and everyone says hello went to town and everyone is so friendly and seemed so chilled. It’s a big step to take I don’t know if I’m excited or nervous lol

I'm just outside Blackwood, it's OK. My village is tiny but has a lot of drama.

Nelson is nice.

I actually like Merthyr.

Aberdare was pretty good but I don't know what it's like post covid.

Abergavenny is upmarket and expensive.

Pontypridd is lush, and are hosting the Eisteddfod this year.

Check out Ynysybwl, it's lovely.

Pontypridd is good for train and bus networking, and isn't far from the M4.

Blackwood has a good bus station but JFC the trouble I've had with the buses. It doesn't have a train station but the nearest line is shit anyway, despite the so called upgrade.

We put Turdtowns on for a laugh yesterday, they do Pontypool but they should really come and do our village.

Welsh valleys life is bloody brilliant, but you've got to be open to the differences in culture, and have respect for the Welsh, and Wales, if you want to succeed out here.

I wouldn't ever live anywhere else. I made the valleys my home a very long time ago and nowhere else compares now. But some bits are better than others. In my view, the Rhondda Cynon Taf (specially the Cynon) are the best bits in South Wales.

It's open!

@glittercunt I'm desperate to know where you are? 😂 Wyllie? Argoed? Pengam? Flower? I'm guessing Flower.

There's probably a reason why your partners mate is trying to coax him there. Safety in numbers!

I had a friend who lived there and the view of the mountains from her terrace house was stunning. It was a while ago but I found the locals friendly, and most had family there from generations. No harm in renting for a while and seeing what you think. Mumsnet can be quite snobby.

What? 😂 it's no more unsafe than other deprived areas. Not all areas have high levels of deprivation.

No not from Merthyr, I'll take a look at the programme sounds interesting

I moved from Bristol to Cardiff.

I wouldn't live north of Caerphilly, up to Merthyr. Fuck me it's depressing up there.

What's your budget like? You might not need to go to the extremes of living in the valleys; the sort of budget that would get you a 2 bed flat in Cotham with no outside space will get you a 3 bed semi in a nice area of Cardiff (c. £300k)

For example, £300k in Llanishen https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/141720095#/?channel=RES_BUY

£300k in Cotham https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/136374959#/?channel=RES_BUY

PS do be prepared for some anti English sentiment coming your way. It is an entirely acceptable form of xenophobic sentiment in some quarters, and other Welsh people won't challenge it.

Obviously nobody deserves xenophobic comments but maybe don't lead with "I wouldn't live north of Caerphilly, up to Merthyr. Fuck me it's depressing up there."

Couldn't agree more!

Don't act/talk like a dickhead and most people won't care where you're from.

Moved from London a few years ago.

Lovely. Less traffic, nicer people, far more house for your money. Much greener.

Cardiff up the road.

Would do it again.

Not experiences even one moment of negativity towards my accent or heritage.

I live in Abercynon which is quite handy, close to the a470 and some nice areas. Lots of people from other areas here too, I moved here from another Welsh town and was shocked at how many English/ Scottish people who had moved here!
If I could afford it I would live in the area around Castell Coch, it looks so lovely

I’m in Bristol too and sometimes think about moving over the river as I love Wales/the Welsh - don’t think I could do Merthyr though, more west like Swansea/Camarthen way.

not quite as cheap but for a reason!

You think Welsh people don't say the same thing about the Valleys?

Get real.

I'm Welsh, born and brought up in the Valleys, where some of my family still live. I'm now living in a different part of Wales.

Look up the index of multiple deprivation. The former coal communities (i.e the Valleys) have some of the worst levels of deprivation but beautiful views and people tend to be friendly, even if they're off their faces on drugs.

Education standards, health services, public transport and roads are all worse in Wales, which has been a one-party state for 25 years.

Oh, and it pisses down with rain a lot of the time.

There's a reason why housing is cheap in the Valleys and you won't find much in the way of decent local restaurants to match those in Bristol, although Cardiff has more to offer

I'd come over and have a look around, perhaps stay in an Airbnb before making such a big decision based on housing prices.

Moved from Clifton in Bristol to just outside Abergavenny 6 years ago, had always lived in cities and I have to say this is the very best move every.
From the views to the people I also commute to Bristol 1/2 times a week and whilst traffic is a PITA I have never regretted the move.
There are some beautiful places go and have a look.

A blanket 'depressing as fuck north of Caerphilly' is simply untrue. I find Caerphilly depressing personally. It doesn't mean it is (sorry if anyone lives in Caerphilly) there really are some beautiful spots. OP if you are still around I'd do what others have suggested and stay in an airbnb and do a recce.
As for the poster who suggested Cardiff it's nice and all that but my husband and I bought a 3 bed Victorian terrace for 150k. The same would have been 300k for a comparable area. Where I live now is nowhere near as rundown as Plasnewydd, or Cathays. Llandaf North is ok but it's just not worth it in terms of house prices..

Yes, Welsh people also have misconceptions about the valleys. And people from the valleys like to disparage Merthyr. I will disagree and challenge people when they make poor generalisations about where I live.