Relocating Devon to Bath - recommendations please!

[KennedyD22]

Me and hubby are thinking of relocating to Bath, we've visited there before and often talk about how much we'd love to live there. We currently live in a rough area in Devon and feeling really unhappy here. We're looking at towns surrounding as we like to live in quieter places but be able to get into a city for days out etc.

We have 2 DDs aged 4 and 3, our current area is really isolating for shopping, live music, secondary schools not great! I feel being close to Bath and with Bristol not too far, our children will have much better teen/young adult years. I grew up in London till I was 25 and it's too busy and expensive for me now but I had a great childhood and experienced so much! Also at just over a 2 hour drive, Bath doesn't feel so much like we're too far away from family (in Devon).

Please let me know thoughts on areas! I really love Bradford-on-avon but it is pricey, hence I was looking at Trowbridge as its more affordable as we will buy our first home and hoping to move to a forever home in Bradford-on-avon without moving too far. I've also heard it's not the best area there but budget wise we need to start low!

Work wise (if it helps!), I am a registered nurse, hubby a driving instructor.

We're heading up in Easter to check out areas so please drop some suggestions!
If you relocated up that way yourself, how do/did you find it? Did you stay? I have seen some older posts of the same nature, but keen to hear some updated recs!

@Sidge I just noticed swindon is easily accessible to chippenham too which is good work wise as opens up futher places for a job. I've seen some nurse jobs advertised in Swindon. Would you say jobs are hard to get in the areas surrounding or anything? I would like to find a job before I move!

@KennedyD22 what sort of nursing?

If based in Chippenham you have the RUH and GWH accessible to you (but not close, and a fair travel time of maybe 45-60 mins depending on travel time.)

There are community jobs across the PCNs, and an active community bank.

@Sidge I am actually due to qualify in July so do not have any post reg experience yet! But I want to work in the community, I can’t manage wards due to my health. I’ve emailed the training hub about preceptorship for GP nursing in Bath/Swindon/Wilsthire

@KennedyD22 I can’t seem to DM you but look out for jobs in primary care. The GP jobs are separate to community nursing.

@KennedyD22 we live in Bath - I do love it here ( we moved from Bristol which we hated) I have to be honest OP and say I think you will struggle to find a house in Bath in a condition and area I think you will find ok - I think you would be better focusing on Chippenham -( I really like Corsham too but it's not on the train if that matters) Chippenham isa bit mixed but it's not awful - it also has tons of new estates where it's really easy to get nice rentals too . The advantage of Chippenham is there's a lot of scope where you can work , easy on train into Bath ( 12 minutes) - Bristol, Swindon etc -

Personally I would always say pick Bath but we ourselves rent so it's a different market and I don't think it's great idea to rent, get your kids at school and then not be able to buy here

Bath forum and the komedia always has people at gigs from Chippenham and Bradford on Avon ( almost as expensive as Bath) - and the cheese and grain too in Frome has loads of us from Bath-

I'm not that keen on Trowbridge if I'm honest, however it does have some nice houses so I wouldn't totally discount it but it's a lot less convenient for popping into Bath , although is on the train ( around 26 minutes) and people in Chippenham get the train back late in an evening too

You could look at Westbury or Warminster if you are looking to get to Bath by train.

@Crikeyalmighty Chippenham is definitely up there now, seems it will be a lot better transport wise especially for our jobs! And yeah that’s it, we are really keen to get on the property ladder with our children so wouldn’t want to rent much longer. I don’t mind not being in Bath, as long as it’s easy travel to & from and Chippenham is checking all boxes!

I did look at Corsham and agree it looks lovely, the smaller vibe suits us. Train station, I suppose it would be better to be near one, I wonder if many people drive to Chippenham station or if parking is a nightmare. Will have a proper explore in Easter!

Thank you for sharing!

@Sidge oh no not sure why my DM isn’t working! Thank you for the tip, I have started to apply already, may be a bit keen but want to get the ball rolling! What area of nursing do you work in, if you don’t mind me asking?

Another reason I wanted to move is I was considering doing the Health Visitor course which in Devon, you have to commute to Bristol uni for this which is a nightmare. I know Chippenham to Bristol won’t be much fun but I’m sure it will be better than South Devon!

I’m a clinical lead nurse practitioner in primary care. ☺️

Some rural loving friends moved from a nice area of Devon to the outskirts of Bath city, for career reasons. It was four years ago and they were doubtful they would settle there long term, but they are very happy and settled.

@KennedyD22 yep people do go to Chippenham for the train from Corsham - it's 3 miles -

Just had a check and £300k will get you a modern 3 bed terrace/semi or an older semi that might want a bit of 'cosmetic tickling up ' - around £1300 a month for an ok rental -

If you want the convenience of going in regularly but are priced out for a family home then Chippenham is your friend-it has my favourite Sainsbury's too - better than the Bath ones.

Here was sunlight over Bath this morning OP just to cheer you on



Picture this morning

Hmmm - seems I can't add it!!

Or seems I can add- just delayed- lol!!

@Crikeyalmighty crikey almighty indeed! 🤣 Beautiful!

I live in Trowbridge. It's by no means perfect, the town centre has pretty much died over the last few years and like all towns it has its more run down areas. But there are some lovely homes. I'd say that as a "stepping stone" to the area it's not an awful option. The surrounding areas are lovely. Several decent primary schools. Would I recommend moving here with teenagers, no I wouldn't. Mine couldn't wait to escape. But moving here for 3-4 years with younger children then it's definitely an option to think about.

@Katieweasel I would totally agree with that - there are way worse places- I went back to my old home town in east midlands a few months ago and the decline of the town did indeed make Trowbridge look like its nickname of Trowvegas! !! and if OP thinks they could buy longer term in BOA it's an ok choice - and I would def leave in the mix - just maybe not quite so convenient maybe as Chippenham in OPs current circumstances if not knowing where she will get a job -

Crikey, you must live just up the hill from me (or be a dogwalker)!

We've lived in our house for decades, but are thinking that we might downsize when DD is through Uni.

Corsham definitely features on our list of "places we might consider living", particularly if they ever reopen the train station.

Frome has a better live music scene, but the train service is pretty hopeless.

@Madcats we live near uni at claverton down -

Yep I discounted Frome in case they need the train - it's a bit erratic and not quick to anywhere- however if you got a job there it's another great option - my FIL has just moved there at 85 from Kent .

Totally agree about Corsham -

Warminster and surrounding villages, you'd certainly get a 3 bed semi for your budget. Alternatively closer to Salisbury instead of Bath. Both have rail stations.

Corsham is a nice town with a good feel, and there are talks about reopening a train station.Trowbridge is not so nice, town centre is run down.
Have you considered smaller places such as Bathford, Batheaston or spend a little more and consider colerne or box?

I've lived in both Trowbridge and Bradford-on-Avon and wouldn't want to live in either now. Last time I went to Trowbridge, my uncle's funeral ,it looked so sad. Bradford is just full of rich people who can't afford to live in Bath and who like the canal.

I'd suggest looking at Keynsham although I'm not sure what house prices are like there now

@CharlotteCChapel have you been to keynsham recently? - I think it's nice enough housing with a not very pleasant at all town centre - I don't see much difference with Trowbridge- except Trowbridge is bigger.

My friend lives in BOA and certainly doesn't fit your description. Average earner, 70s house, very down to earth.

@KennedyD22 did you know that the aircraft hangars at Filton in north Bristol (where Concorde was built) are being converted into a concert arena. They are also looking at re-opening railway lines (known as the Henbury Loop) and stations in the same area so that the arena is accessible by public transport. That might sway your search.