So I have decided not to move to Yeovil - what's the verdict on Taunton?

[sushistar]

Thanks everyone who replied to my last thread asking about yeovil. Taunton is looking like the place for us - so if you live there or nearby, what do you think? Would you reccomend it to a family with toddlers?

Quirky is a good word though.

" But I don't want to move out of the grim end of London and end up living somewhere with lots of the same problems but just nicer architecture" I don't blame you but in any small towns there will be deprived areas of social housing slap bang next to some gorgeous and very desirable houses in a tree-line avenue. It's never black and white.

...and I love the fact that both beaches and forests are under twenty minutes away by car, Bristol forty minutes.

It's got an Arts Centre!

Hmm, maybe go with Taunton.

Taunton to London only 1 hour 45 mins by train.

Orm, no pisstake! I love Bridgie, it exercises my sense of humour

Nt only an arts centre, the first arts centre in the country!

Do you still live here eco?

Yes Orm, well and truly smitten with the place

(Honestly!)

Hurray!

You and I must be a breed apart

Of course I can't wait to visit Bridgie again if only to have a wonderful run through the Somerset countryside and meet Orm. Gulp.

And you are all forgetting the Carnival. It's famous.

Frome is not much bigger than Street sushi. We almost bought a house there because prices looked so reasonable and because everyone said it was on the up. That was 6 years ago and it's 'up' doesn't seem to have happened....

I stayed in Wells for 3 months when back having ds1. I found there was not so much to do for tiddlers (dd was 2 at the time) and only one blasted playground for miles and miles around. I spent a lot of time walking around. But it was pretty though.

Personally I was surprised at how small Taunton is.

Go and have a look at them all and feed back to us with your initial impressions.

Frome is lovely, and not too far from Bath if you want some decent shopping.

we're visiting taunton at easter and might squeeze in a trip to one of the others as well...

distance to london no big deal really - lived here for 10 yrs, so we've kind of 'done' london - i can't see us going back all te time. distance to bath / bristol more relevant - but i think taunton would have enough shops to keep us happy actually. Question - does it have good charity shops? ?I love charity shops.

Themasterandmargaritas - wells sounds like a nightmare. My 2 yr old will not care the town is pretty if we're miles from a playground! That you think taunton is small is encouraging - i want to feel like i'm in a town, not a city iyswim.

but quirky is good to. we live in one of the less well-to-do bits of london but it's vibrant and interesting - quirky is a good word - and we love it bettter than the posher bits. hm,mm....

Taunton has a lot of charity shops!

It also has a TkMaxx, which might be useful depending upon whether you like charity shops for ethical or financial reasons

I love them, personally (charity shops).

Bridgwater has lots of charity shops too

great charity shops in Taunton, I get ALL sorts from them - I reckon that the British Heart Foundation is the best though...

I forgot to reply about Churches - for anglicans there is a good family-friendly inclusive church called St. Andrews which is low anglo-catholic; Baptist church has lots of young families and the Rowbarton methodist church has a few families too. St Mary Mag's also anglican - not been but apparently good also. Not sure about catholic although St George's is the main one. HTH.

Taunton is definitely town-y rather than city-y - there is really only the town centre and it is not too far spread out

I spent my teenage years in Taunton and my mum lived there until a few years ago.

It is very good for getting around on foot, with a pushchair and by bike. There are a lot of footpaths and short-cuts through parks and canal walks. I don't think that it is a very big town and even if you live a few miles out (we were in Galmington) it doesn't take long to get into town, under your own steam.

Have you thought of Honiton? Its a short drive to the south coast, which is beautiful, cheaper than Taunton (I think) and a short commute to Exeter.

I live in Bristol and have friends in Yeovil. The town itself is a dump but the surrounding villages are lovely. If you drove it would be fine, but as a non driver I think you'd be better in Taunton which has a lovely town centre, and a lovely park and canal walks. If you then want "proper" shopping your DH can drive you, or you can get the train to either Bristol, Bath or Exeter, all of which have lovely shopping centres.

I would LOVE to live in Taunton

ohh, taunton sounds perfect...
thanks for info on churches morningpaper, I'll google them. I'm now dreaming of being able to stroll into town and rummage in the charity shops! Glad it's good for bikes too, dh is a cycler.

Now just have to pray a job comes up for dh that would pay enough for us to get a GORGEOUS forever-after house... this would be nice!

But this is a bit more realistic...

honiton is getting a bit far west darcymum - we have family in yeovil / taunton area which is one of the pull factors - and dhs family live on the other side of the country so we don't want to go too much further tbh.

My mum lived a stone's throw from your realistically priced house. It's a very nice area and easy to walk to town and to Vivary Park. Also, as, the estate agent's blurb says, in the 'catchment area for Castle School',

I love sorting other people's lives out!

Taunton is great for commuting to Exeter and Bristol, the town is not too spread out and the range of shops are not too bad.

Some very good schools as well, both primary and secondary.

Things to do - lots of parks, Vivary and French Wier being the best for younger children. We are also so near to the Quantocks and places like Hestercombe gardens and Fyne Court so lots of outdoor activities.

There are lots of toddler groups across the town and there are two leisure centres, Blackbrook and Wellsprings, which have a range of activities for toddlers. There are some good sports facilities other than these too.

There is a swimming pool which is a bit old but OK and swimming lessons at the other pool if that's the kind of thing you are after.

Brewhouse Theatre has some good shows for children.

Finally, a couple of soft play places for indoor play.

Ta mumintaunton - like the user name, says it all!!

Yes, it's looking like Taunton is the place to be. Things to do...

1. FInd DH a job
2. Sell our house
3. Buy a house

Something to be getting on with then...

Does anyone tyhink there are any bits of the town we should really avoid?

Also, anyone know any charities that emply people in Taunton?

lots of charities but not too many employing at the mo

bookmark

vista

search somerset county gazette

also guardian

Thanks morningpaper. Dh has been searching all the jobs pages I know, but it's always good to keep an eye on the actual organisation websites I think! He could work for a housing assoc. as well. I think it's just a case of waiting to see what comes up and going for it when the right thing appears... here's hoping! At least we have a plan of action now.
Thanks so much for all your help - and if you see a housing / social care related management job, 30-35k ish, give me a shout! I work from home so I can just take my job with me iyswim.

OK!