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Original poster

Moving to Malvern

55 replies

Blackduck · 03/03/2009 13:49

We currently live in Brum, but have taken a liking to Malvern. We are seriously considering a move, but I'd like some views as to the pluses and minuses.
I have read OFSTED reports on the Infant/primary schools - anyone got first hand experience?
Any recommendations on good places to live and places to avoid. Really need to be close to train station and actually would liek to be central....
Warts and all views please!

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Original poster
Blackduck · 03/03/2009 19:35

link didn't work ...

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igrewupinmalvern · 03/03/2009 19:41

sorry this should work now

this is in west malvern - short drive from town centre but look at those views!!

avenue road is gorgeous and v central - same road as malvern girls college and the train station

Original poster
Blackduck · 03/03/2009 19:42

Igrew up - have viewed number 2 and it is a contender....

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igrewupinmalvern · 03/03/2009 19:43

brays is hilarious - but they do really nice underwear!!

there is now also an M+S and Next in the retail park (don't live near there though)

best shopping nearby IMO is cheltenham.

igrewupinmalvern · 03/03/2009 19:46

west malvern is a really nice community and has a good primary school (well used to)

oh and theres a waitrose!

Original poster
Blackduck · 03/03/2009 19:58

I do love number two, but really want ot be in walking distance of town - DP now seriously p^ssed off that St Annes road is SSTC....did ask him what he expected in that location

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NorbertDentressangle · 03/03/2009 21:11

I've emailed you back Blackduck (given up on the application for now)

igrewupinmalvern -do you still live in Malvern now?

igrewupinmalvern · 03/03/2009 21:32

no, left when went to uni - but parents do so visit often. am about an hour and half away (brsitol/bath area)

the only thing stopping me moving back is that there isn't a decent city nearby - am not a fan of worcester, and the slightly weird feeling of running into ghosts of my former self IYSWIM

blackduck - what about the one in avenue rd then, looks amazing!

NorbertDentressangle · 03/03/2009 22:14

Worcester is OK for general shopping but if I want to go shopping properly I like Cheltenham.

Original poster
Blackduck · 04/03/2009 06:45

Trouble with the one on Avenue road is lack of a garden...we looked at one on Bank Street (love that road), but it had no garden to speak of and we need at least somewhere to put a table and the barbie for that summer ....I DREAMT about houses last night (not quite Mandaley)

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Washersaurus · 05/03/2009 11:35

I have always thought that peope in Malvern were generally quite strange........it is very beautiful town though.

I love Cheltenham; Worcester is OK but am thinking I don't want to stay here forever (obviously will be relying on a lottery win in order to move)

Original poster
Blackduck · 05/03/2009 11:52

Oh we'll fit in perfectly then

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NorbertDentressangle · 05/03/2009 12:28

washeraurus!

Are you insulting those that were born and bred in Malvern or those that live there now (or both for good measure )

Any further thoughts blackduck? Have you found anymore contenders on the house front?

Original poster
Blackduck · 05/03/2009 12:46

Fascinated by this one, but no idea about the location...
here

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NorbertDentressangle · 05/03/2009 12:59

ooh that looks interesting especially the barn in the garden and that huge attic (?) room.

Its one of those split level houses where its difficult to get an idea of the layout unless you're actually in it IYSWIM -there are a lot of houses like that in Malvern -they can look 1-2 storey at the front but then round the back there can be an extra floor or two

Location-wise, I've never been along that road but its fairly near Malvern Link. You would be looking back at the hills rather than actually be "on" them IYSWIM. I'm quite surprised at the view from the house as it suggests its quite high up but I suppose that might just be the plot its on that is slightly elevated

Original poster
Blackduck · 05/03/2009 13:06

I know - I am tempted to take a look - onlly thing is DP and DS will be fighting over that room Dp would want it as a study and ds would wnat it for his Thomas train track!

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NorbertDentressangle · 05/03/2009 13:08

You could reach a compromise -they could share that room and you could have the rest of the house!?

Original poster
Blackduck · 05/03/2009 13:27

I like your thinking!

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NorbertDentressangle · 05/03/2009 14:10

Thats because I have plans for the 2 storey out-building in our garden to be converted properly at some point and then the DC can move into it when they're being difficult teenagers

Original poster
Blackduck · 05/03/2009 14:22

Just not sure if it is near enough to twon... but might take a look....certainly has enough space!

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MerryPonymum · 05/03/2009 14:33

I live quite close to Malvern. DH plays bowls there regularly. The theatre is wonderful since its revamp - in a lovely park, too. Location is to die for, isn't it?

Don't forget Evesham for shopping - probably quite a bit quicker to drive to from Malvern than Cheltenham, and only one? train stop away on the Oxford-London line. (I hate Cheltenham; lived there for years - much happier since I moved.) Evesham's in a pretty spot on a wide river with boats and a park, and has a nice pedestrianised shopping area, with character - though you may have to come and post a judgey rant when you see the mums smoking outside the Greggs shop while their buggey-ed kids munch on sausage rolls! (I'm not making this up, honest!)

All sorts of lovely Cotswold places close by to Malvern - Tewkesbury for example. I think it's the sort of place people would be happy in. Good luck to you if you make your move!

happywomble · 05/03/2009 14:41

I was born there and still have relatives in the area.

I think the pros are:

lovely walks on the hills
Pleasant town
Waitrose
Station
good state and private schools
near M5 so good access to west country
Theatre
Malvern shopping seems to be on the up after many years of decline and not too far from Cheltenham.
Near cotswolds

cons:
A long way from the sea
Rural area so probably not many jobs nearby unless you are a teacher - your DCs will end up hop picking or waitressing when they are in their late teens needing a holiday job.
The splash swimming pool - nowhere near as nice as the old lido they used to have.

I would happily move back there but DHs job tied to the South East.

I don't have much info on the state primaries. If you or anyone else on this thread are looking for private prep - look at the Elms school and Downs school(now malvern college junior school) in Colwall or the junior schools of the Worcester private schools (kings and WRGS/AO).

The Chase is supposed to be a good secondary school and John Masefield in ledbury is on the up. There are good private secondary schools in Worcester (I'm biaised as I went to one of them). Also Malvern college and malvern st james but I expect they are very expensive.

samsonthecat · 05/03/2009 14:42

I live in Malvern and I love it. (waves at Norbert) There is plenty to do and the schools for the most part are good.

Original poster
Blackduck · 05/03/2009 15:02

Cons - A long way from the sea I know, but I can't see us living by the sea...
Thanks everyone - I think we are pretty sold on the idea - I have even been looking at bbungalows and I wouldn't have considered a bungalow before now... (may be I AM getting old )

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TheThoughtPolice · 05/03/2009 15:07

I can see the Malverns from my house !

Malvern is ok. A nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there.