Ludlow or Shrewsbury?

[Leafy2018]

We would like to move next year and have looked at several places, the most recent being Cheltenham which we ruled out as it felt too gritty around the edges (although really lovely in places).

For context we have four children who will be 4, 7, 16 and 19 when we move. I’m not sure what our 18 year old will be doing then - possibly uni/dance school but will be keen to get back and see us regularly.

We are booking four nights just outside Ludlow to explore the area at Easter.

It would be great to hear any thoughts on Ludlow or Shrewsbury. What are the schools like (both state and independents)? Safety? Quality of life? Healthcare? Things to do as a family? Leisure facilities? I’d be interested to hear how easy it is to integrate and make friends if you’re not from the area originally.

I understand the main drawback to Ludlow is that it’s a bit cut off and Shrewsbury is better connected to other areas. On first blush I think Ludlow looks more our cup of tea as we are used to a smallish market town (Cheltenham felt too much like a city). We like walking and there seems to be plenty of NT and castles close by to Ludlow to pop out to. Are there any other places that are a must to visit while we are in the area?

I’d be so grateful for any help or advice. This move has been a long time in coming. We’ve never really settled where we are so we really need to get this right.

Thank you!

I’d say Shrewsbury- the town centre is lovely, there are some rough parts and there is a lot of small town mentality but that’s probably to be expected, on the whole the beautiful surrounding countryside and quiet nature of the place make it a good option.

The main downside for me is the water is absolutely horrendous- whenever I have to stay there my skin dries out after one shower- friends there always complain about how dry it makes their hair (you’ll notice healthy bouncy locks are in the minority) so I would fit a water softener.

That's an interesting warning, @Nutmuncher . Very hard water is a bit of a red flag.

Knowing Shrewsbury as I do, and knowing some people who live there, and having lived there myself some years ago, I have to say this is a load of nonsense. 'Small town mentality' indeed!

Have you ever actually been there? It's not a small town! The population is 80,000. 😂

Also, the whole of Shropshire has water that is not 'soft.' it is on the harder side, but Ludlow's will be the same!! It's in the same county, and about 40 minutes drive from Shrewsbury. (29-ish miles.) In my experience it is far better than soft water. When we visit soft water areas, (like Cumbria,) and we stay there a few days, we feel like we haven't had a shower, as the water is so soft compared to ours. Maybe people get used to it, but I don't like it. Also, it's nonsense that harder water makes your hair dry! Where are you getting this from?!!!

Tell me you know naff-all about Shrewsbury without telling me you know naff-all about Shrewsbury!

@Leafy2018 Please don't be put off Shrewsbury by @Nutmuncher's words. That is not my experience of Shrewsbury (or that of anyone I know. And I know many people who live there (and as I said, I lived there myself some years ago!) It's classed as an affluent and desirable place to live, and has many advantages, excellent transport links, and lots of pictures places around it, as well as lots of trendy and bohemian shops (and the usual chain stores...) And lots of night life and bars, and theatres, and cinemas, and lots to entertain you too.

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Lots of picturesque places around it. *autocorrect changed it to 'pictures!'

Thank you for the further responses. I appreciate all input. We have hard water here in the SE so I probably wouldn’t notice the difference! Also, our town has about 15,000 residents so I think any ‘small town mentality’ would be lost on me in somewhere as big as Shrewsbury!