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

[AuraofDora]

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

Hi Willymcwill

You have confirmed what I thought about living within walking distance of town. My eldest is 10 and I want him to be able to walk to friends' houses and into town. The villages look lovely but probably not right for this stage of family life! Thanks for comments on secondaries. We won't have much time between moving and needing to apply and I feel I don't really know much about either Priory or Meole. The people I have asked when we've visited Shrewsbury have said that it's really a personal preference and the grown up children who live in the house we are buying didn't go to the same one!

Is your eldest in Y5 currently? Feel free to pm me; my eldest is at Priory and ds2 moves there this September. When we were looking for ds1 we visited both (would that be possible for you?) He strongly preferred Priory, and I agreed, but there wasn't much between them. Both heads have good reputations; Priory is slightly smaller, but there's not much in it. To be honest both are heavily subscribed, so it may come down to catchment area.

Have you sorted primary schools out yet (presuming that you'll be transferring). When we moved into the area it was difficult as there weren't many places available, but we got there in the end!

Oh and Priory was our closest school, so made choosing easier as we were pretty sure we'd get a place tries to forget the horrendous appeals process due to house purchase falling through, moving out of area temporarily to live with family, losing school place only to finally regain under second appeal after finally exchanging on new house.

Thanks willymcwill. Will pm you later.

Hi! I moved from a city to Ludlow, have bought 2 kids up here and I love it but it took some getting used to, can't help but think you'd die of boredom in smaller villages.
Ludlow I think is so full of fascinating characters, it's like a little London. Birmingham, Hereford, Shrewsbury, Telford, all 20 something miles away.
It's pretty perfect really!

Got the same dilemma as you and I've been looking on and off for years. I've lived in the city for 20 years, miss the countryside but not sure such a drastic jump to proper countryside would work. DS is in secondary school in the city which I think is too big and I'd like a safer environment for the three kids to grow up in, we just need to go for it. Shrewsbury seems easier for access to transport and kids activities. I've spent time looking at schools and houses in Belle vue area and now looking at Gravel Hill (wandering which areas people would advice to look at). I was told Priory School is over-subscribed, however both Meole Brace and Belvidere looked good. I've looked at north shrewsbury where there again seems good selection of schools but I've no idea about the villages are like and I have toyed with market towns like Craven Arms, Church Stretton and Ludlow but not as convinced by them as by shrewsbury. Will let you know if I find any useful info. Good Luck!

Hi Plants. Feel free to pm me if you want to know more about how we went about it all - choosing where to live, schools etc. We move next week!!

Anjelika sorry I haven't replied to your pm yet - I can't get it to work on the app and cannot log in on the web Will try again when I get the laptop back from dh!

Good luck with moving week, I hope it all goes smoothly!

No worries Willy. Can't believe we are finally moving!

Hi there, I read your response with interest. Are you able to share more info about why you love it so much? Thanks! X