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Rural living

Looking to relocate to the countryside? Find advice in our Rural Living forum.

Original poster

No going back - thinking of moving from city life to Shropshire

35 replies

AuraofDora · 15/04/2017 18:35

Any locals, esp anyone who moved into area - got any advice?

We know the area to visit but this is going to be different. DH is very keen, DD and I unsure for different reasons.
I'm trying to get a feel for what the problems/differences might be. There will be no going back if we do it, so it is big.

We need to research secondary schools, any recommendations? And general work situation for me, any good agencies?

DH has transferable skills and should be fine.

Has anyone done this, how did you get on? Did it take ages to feel like part of things, was it generally friendly, welcoming? Is it too boring for teenagers?

Did you go from the city to Shrewsbury (or another big town) or were you straight out in tiny village?

Bit nervous about driving everywhere, I cycle or take public transport here, so have own independence but can re-learn to drive.

Looking for general advice, comments.
TIA

OP posts:
Original poster
AuraofDora · 15/04/2017 18:46

`

OP posts:
Original poster
AuraofDora · 15/04/2017 18:59

help

OP posts:
Didiusfalco · 15/04/2017 19:03

No advice, but Shropshire is beautiful, my favourite inland county. We're having to move for work - probably Derbyshire and the more it becomes reality the less sure I am about the rural dream - like you I love having good public transport and things within walking distance. Scared of feeling isolated when I know no-one. It's really hard, such a big change.

Duckstar · 15/04/2017 19:09

I'm from Shropshire originally. Live down south now. My DSis is moving back now. They've gone for Newport because of the grammar schools.

It's a wonderful place. Be warned public transport outside the towns is dire. If you live in a little village you may end up as a taxi service for your children.

Shrewsbury is lovely. I went to school there.

What you looking for in secondary school? Private, state, grammar?

WildRunner · 15/04/2017 19:13

I live in Shropshire and it's my adopted home - love it here. But it's not for everyone. What areas are you looking at? What areas do you both work in, and are you prepared to commute?

Jessicabrassica · 15/04/2017 19:15

Check the bus services. There are a lot of linear routes in and out of Shrewsbury with variable frequencies. Church Street on has a train which runs later. What age is DD? Some primary schools are VERY small - under 40 kids; great for small classes but may be a bit hard if she's one of two or three girls in a year.

We love where we are. Shrewsbury is cycle-able in about 30-40 mins. Excellent primary school, good and improving but secondary. Pm me if you want!

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 15/04/2017 19:22

We moved from Stourbridge to a tiny village in Shropshire when I was 10, and it was not a great experience for me. There were almost no other children my age in the village, and as incomers, we stuck out like sore thumbs, so I was always lonely.

As I got older, the lack of public transport meant it was nigh impossible for me to have any independence whatsoever, or to see the few friends I did make, outside of school.

I would advise you to choose somewhere with good public transport links, so that your children can have some independence as they get older. I would advise against choosing somewhere too small and too remote - it can be very isolating for you and your children.

That said, there are some lovely towns, where the countryside is within easy reach - Ludlow is beautiful, and has good schools (I went to Ludlow VIth form college), and it also has a great food culture - lots of locally produced food and a weekly market.

Craven Arms and Clun are lovely places too.

Sorry not to be entirely positive, but I wanted to be honest.

Dothbutternoparsnips · 15/04/2017 19:24

Somewhere like Wem could be an option? Good transport links to Shrewsbury. Has a primary and secondary school.

RandomMess · 15/04/2017 19:26

If you are used to city life I wouldn't move rurally! It's a huge commitment to enable your DC social life until they are driving themselves and can be so isolating for them.

WildRunner · 15/04/2017 19:28

I'd agree that with secondary school age kids especially, you probably need to be looking at the market towns rather than villages. But there are some great little towns - Shifnal, Ludlow and Church Stretton all have railway stations too, and Bridgnorth, Newport, Oswestry, Wem etc are a good enough size not to be isolating.

Original poster
AuraofDora · 23/04/2017 14:21

Thanks for responses everyone Smile

I keep looking around, wondering if I know what I'll miss or if I should embrace the change and be positive

Didiusfalco, I'm so with you on the questioning rural dream and I think this, transportation, is my major stumbling block. I've got so much on my doorstep that I can access. It will be hard to always have to drive everywhere where I want to go

Duckstar It'll be a secondary state, but the sizes look small, I don't know if that helps in settling kids in or limits options. DD has been more upbeat about going, her present school has not worked out as we hoped

DH has transferable jobs (education), me a niche area of an old industry. I'm learning new digital skills at the moment with an idea of running own business but this will not be great for making friends and getting to know people, feels a bit isolating

STGD honesty appreciated, always! I will check out the places mentioned. I know Ludlow a bit, and Clun too but visiting for the weekend is different barrel of fish to living there. Am worried about being an outsider for next 30 years!

Dothbutter Wem is a good idea. We want to be around for inlaws, but not in back pocket iykwim

Is it generally quite friendly area for incomers would you guys say?

Random I have this thought often but DD's education is the most important for us just now and it's not happening her, her school is crumbling and local options are pretty dire too.

WildRunner market towns, will look at these and nearby schools. Railway station is a good idea too.

Lots of food for thought here.

We have failing inner city school, ageing inlaws (with us as nearest relatives), possibly being able to move to low/no mortgage, all this forms part of our equation.

DH is approaching potential employers, if he can find something then it does become an actual possibility...crikey!

OP posts:
OVienna · 23/04/2017 23:51

Based on your reasons I would think seriously about going. We've had this debate; it remains ongoing. Your reasons sound more compelling than ours/others I've heard.

Original poster
AuraofDora · 28/04/2017 10:34

Thanks OVienna. Interesting to hear what others are considering, is it something that appeals to all your family?

I think one reason this might work is that we don't have to do anything, the pressure is absent, so the ideas can swill around.

More and more the idea of not working to live does appeal and this is what a move would allow us to do. Just not in same village as inlaws, might be a bit too close...

OP posts:
Firewall · 28/04/2017 10:42

Shrewsbury is gorgeous. Everything you need is nearby, shops easy to get to etc, swimming pool nearby and good gyms. In terms of schools, there's really no bad school. Best state secondaries are Belvidere and Priory, Meole brace also very good, I know many parents with kids there who are very happy.

In terms of area to live, Portland crescent area is a nice place to live, walkable to town. They are building new houses in the next few years I think.
Port hill area, copthorne, v sought after as is radbrook.
Belle vue is nice too.

Road are very easy to drive in, great place to learn to drive, not many crazy drivers especially compared to city. Great place to gain confidence with driving.

Perfect place for a family in my opinion.

Firewall · 28/04/2017 10:46

For a teenager I would definitely consider living in Shrewsbury rather than villages outside, it was always a pain for the kids I know who had to travel in to sixth form from outside villages.

MrsArthurShappey · 28/04/2017 10:50

Yes! Shrewsbury, if you're moving from a city. A small market town or village would be too big a change I think. I'd live in Shrewsbury if it was closer to my and DH work (wrong side of Offa's Dyke!)

Original poster
AuraofDora · 28/04/2017 18:32

Oh I'll check out these places Smile

What's the job market like?
I'm a bit niche but plenty of transferable office skills. Any agencies or starting points you'd recommend
DH in education so bit easier

OP posts:
Firewall · 28/04/2017 18:41

I'm not sure about agencies but there are quite a few in town. Many people also commute to Telford to work (though less desirable to live and schools not as good apart from Thomas Telford). I'm sure if you google and apply to some agencies, opportunities will come up.
From the teachers I've spoken to, teaching in Shrewsbury is very sought after. I had a friend who taught in Telford who said it was much more challenging than in Shrewsbury. Shrewsbury generally has a reputation as being pretty calm for teachers!

gg96cgp · 28/04/2017 18:41

Moved from London to countryside Shropshire (so not even a village) 2 years ago. Never looked back. Both of us had big jobs in London. I was lucky enough to take mine with me whilst husband refocused. I think it's fair to say it took him longer than me to find work happiness but he's now there. Socially, just being outside in the countryside and having a proper garden, etc, is worth it in itself.

gg96cgp · 28/04/2017 18:41

Moved from London to countryside Shropshire (so not even a village) 2 years ago. Never looked back. Both of us had big jobs in London. I was lucky enough to take mine with me whilst husband refocused. I think it's fair to say it took him longer than me to find work happiness but he's now there. Socially, just being outside in the countryside and having a proper garden, etc, is worth it in itself.

Anjelika · 04/05/2017 17:47

We are in the process of moving from a city to Shrewsbury. We have opted for central
Shrewsbury as have school-age kids and want them to be near (i.e. walking distance) to shops, facilities, schools and hopefully friends as they grow up. Even living quite centrally, it will be a big change for us. I am part scared and part excited. We've been talking about it for a couple of years now but it's hopefully going to become reality very soon.

Ifonlyoneday · 08/05/2017 23:22

I live in Shropshire. Newport is the best area for schools.

Shrewsbury is not rural, but a beautiful small town.

If you want more rural move south of Whitchurch you have access to the a49, and a41 you can commute to Chester, Telford or Shrewsbury for jobs. There are some lovely small villages and you have access to the market towns of Whitchurch, Wem and market Drayton for main shops, lots of sports clubs etc.

Ludlow very beautiful

Shropshire is ace, but prepare yourself for a much slower pace of life.

UrsulaPandress · 08/05/2017 23:24

Zombie lived in Shropshire.

UntilTheCowsComeHome · 08/05/2017 23:36

I'm a Shrewsbury lass, it's a brilliant place to live. Everything you could need but such a short distance from beautiful countryside.

If you want a rural feel but close to town there's loads of places right on the outskirts. I particularly like Hadnall and Uffington to the north of the town. There's a lot of new builds going up in Hadnall at the moment too.

willymcwill · 18/06/2017 10:22

I live in Shrewsbury, within walking distance to town (south of the river). We love it here, and it is great for the children (secondary age) as they can walk to and from school and the older one can walk into town with his friends to buy crap.

For us it is the right mix of rural and town; we have talked about moving out to a village but it would be harder for the children, so we are staying put until they are at uni.

Area-wise Kingsland is a lovely place to live, Porthill too; large detached with big gardens, very leafy. Belle Vue has gorgeous red brick Victorian/Edwardian housing. Radbrook is more modern, Copthorne more 30s and 40s but good sized rooms and gardens.

State school-wise, Priory is seen to be the best, over-subscribed though so living in catchment is crucial. Meole not bad (bigger school, on the same road!). I believe Belvidere is also good, although I don't know that one very well, or the area.

Private sector has Shrewsbury School (now co-ed) from 13-18, and Shrewsbury High School (very good reputation, co-ed to 13 and then girls only to 18). Both in the Kingsland area.