Cheltenham - will I find my tribe?

[singletonatlarge]

I am thinking of moving from Bristol to Cheltenham, for a change of scene and better access to the Cotswolds and Birmingham. My question is whether I, as a slightly scruffy single woman in my 50s, will be able to find like-minded people. Where I currently live there are loads of scruffy single women in their 50s and 60s stomping around walking their dogs, singing in choirs, doing volunteer work and chatting to each other. I'm a bit concerned that Cheltenham may be rather more genteel and couple-oriented. Any thoughts? It's really important to me to be somewhere where I can make friends and acquaintances. I realise that Stroud is probably more my vibe, but it would be a lot more difficult transport-wise, as I want to be close to the Bristol-Birmingham trainline.

Cheltenham has huge poverty which extends into the outlying rural areas, so it's very much going to depend upon where you are thinking of moving to.

Thanks! I am only just starting to think about this but I'd want to be within walking distance of the train station. Are there any friendly, community-oriented places round there that would meet my criteria?

Cheltenham is not friendly, and has zero diversity.

Worcestershire is much better!

Cheltenham does not have "huge poverty" and is very friendly.

It's a very safe and 'cultured' place (encapsulating a wide spectrum of different cultures) for single women. I moved to Cheltenham after visiting my 55 year old single friend, who is a lapsed Rastafarian. She really sold Cheltenham to me.

Good links to Bristol, Birmingham, Oxford, Cardiff. 2.5 hours drive to London.

Cheltenham does have more than its fair share of shiny botoxed women driving round in their range rovers, so you won't fit in with them, but honestly there will be like minded people everywhere. The area west of the train station is mostly cheaper and therefore has more down to earth people.

Not from Cheltenham but go there a lot. Certainly a lot of people walking dogs! Only place I have ever seen someone take a Method spray out of their bag to clean up with as well!!!

I recently joined a group of, predominantly, women for a reclaim the streets evening march through the town. It was jolly and well received by the public.

There are lots of community hubs about. I feel very fortunate to live here.

There are loads of us. Athough personally I'd say there are too many dogs.

This is really encouraging to hear! @Spacie I did see that the Lido ran a dog swim - that seemed to be taking dog-friendliness a bit too far!

Err I live there and have made friends here after moving g here at 40.

Just go to Stroud, it’s great!

I've been in Cheltenham for over 10 years. I'm not in the demographic you describe but I'd be surprised if you felt particularly unwelcome as a single woman with a dog! There's loads going on to join. I'm in a choir which is extremely friendly and fun. There's book groups, ample parks and hills to walk your dog, walking groups... Where to live depends on budget id say. We do not have huge poverty, we have some areas which are more deprived and many that are extremely affluent.

@singletonatlarge I'm a scruffy 56 year old with a dog and love living in Cheltenham! I moved here age 40. Lots going on here especially if you want a walking group or to join a class. The theatre is great too. If you live near the station you will have Christchurch church hall within walking distance, I do Pilates there but they have all sorts of classes and groups. You would also be able to walk into town. It's expensive here that's my main gripe, I always say we get charged "Cheltenham prices" for everything.

Cheltenham is lovely. I’d love to live there.

A great place to volunteer is the eco shop Food Loose, in the town centre. Women of all ages, with a couple of token men 😉, run it.

There are also volunteering opportunities at the Cheltenham Festivals - literature, music, jazz and science. I've volunteered at the science festival before and found it a great way to meet interesting people from all backgrounds.

There are loads of 'grass roots' activities too.

Cheltenham has definitely got what you’re looking for (source: I used to live there). I can also recommend Malvern (where I live now), which is about half an hour away and offers similar things, but is a bit less ‘Range Rover and Botox’.

Thanks everybody, this sounds promising. Unfortunately Malvern and Stroud are out because I need to be able to get the train to Bristol easily. But part of the appeal of Cheltenham is having all these lovely towns within easy reach.

Actually it does, but it's obviously not within your experience.

Ignore people saying not diverse or not friendly - they say the same about Bath - and I've found it quite the opposite - places tend to be as friendly as you are and what you join- I'm a slightly scruffy early 60s - ( too much working from home for years or co working centre) and I would have no issue with Chelters and don't give a monkeys if it's not very diverse!

It isn't "huge poverty" if you have an understanding of the situation in the UK as a whole, or even within the surrounding counties.

St Pauls, and St Marks are in the top 10 percent of deprived areas in the country.

Where do you think is less deprived than Cheltenham?

I am very familiar with it, and while I agree there are poorer parts, this is not on as large a scale as many other places.

OP, I think Cheltenham is excellent for what you want. Lots of people walking dogs, volunteering, choirs and lovely festivals as well.
Housing is just about affordable too if you are not trying to get into the catchment of an outstanding school!

Cheltenham is very white and middle class.

You can ignore it all you like, but it's true.

Beware of race week traffic - known locally as Don't Go Out Week and The Streets Will Smell Of Piss.

Stay out of St Mark's, Hester's Way, Whaddon and St Paul's.

Be careful with locations near the train station; always lots of burglaries in that area.

I'd prefer the longer travel time and would choose Malvern or Worcester 100 times over, with what you're after.

I know many people who couldn't stomach living there longer than a couple of years.

I was born there so I know it well if you want any help with areas.

@MotionofTime but you aren't OP - this might not bother her at all - you can be a bit scruffy and be MC too you know!! Lots of boho MC about.

We've got similar situations here in Bath- Xmas market week for 1 - most attractive places have times of year like this - I know this and can live with it

Maybe she will like Worcester or Malvern - I don't mind either but unlike yourself I would prefer Cheltenham - we are all different

I agree that it's predominantly white and middle class and I despise race week.

However, I wouldn't suggest that Whaddon and St Marks should be completely avoided. Whaddon is a council estate with very pretty Prestbury on one side and Pittville Park and town on the other. It's an affordable option in an otherwise expensive town.

I moved to Cheltenham from London. The idea that there are no-go zones in Chelt seems funny to me. Admittedly, Hesters Way is a dodgy area though.