Relocation stories of moving to Shropshire

[plantsneedwatering]

I'm being nosey here and curious to hear how people have got on with relocating from city to Shropshire. We have 3 boys 6, 10 & 12 and are currently looking to move to Shrewsbury or surrounding areas. It's been great to read some of the posts on MN, but I just wandered how those who've taken the plunge how found it and how they've got on with settling the kids into school. Thanks in advance! ( Also whether you'd advise renting first?)

We are moving to Shrewsbury next week (3 children age 10, 7 & 7) so I'll let you know in a few months time!! It hasn't been easy to find school places, especially with 2 in the same year but we got there in the end. I'm sure someone will be along shortly who's already made the move and can tell you more. We decided to buy in Shrewsbury rather than rent. I think if we'd kept our old house and rented, there would be that temptation to go back if things didn't work out, rather than just having to make it work.

We relocated back from the other side of the world to (very) rural Shropshire (Clun Valley) six years ago. No children / both in our early 40's, and have found the Shropshire Hills to be great: community spirit is excellent, lots of events through the year (festivals, carnivals, artists open studios, open gardens, village shows, 'flicks in the sticks', etc.), great walking and cycling.

It probably helps that both my wife and I were raised in rural areas, albeit the other side of the country.

If your boys can make some of their own entertainment the villages, particularly in the Shropshire Hills, could be great - loads of opportunities for cycle rides (on and off road), long walks, adventures, den building, exploring history and nature.

Thanks macshoto great to hear of some positive inspiration for moving to Shropshire, sounds great! I like the idea of 'flicks in the sticks'. Anjelika I hope the move goes well. I would be interested to hear your school application stories, I suppose it depends on ones location and age of kids as well as how well one manages the appeal process. I know what you mean about taking the plunge to buy rather than rent and just for it. How did you decide on which area to move to? or am I over analysing this?! Thanks for the input

Hi

I don't think you're over analysing which area to live in. We knew we wanted town rather than village or country and visited Shrewsbury twice, the second time looking at a few houses even though we weren't in a position to proceed. My mistake was trying to match areas where I live now with areas in Shrewsbury. I realised that the 2 places are very different and in the end we decided that we wanted to be within walking distance of town and south/south-west of the river. All the areas round there just appealed to us in terms of housing stock and general appeal. Our nearest school had no places for my 7 year olds and a lengthy waiting list but we did find places at a great school about a mile away. Although the distance is not ideal, I knew it wouldn't be easy to find places and in the end I was just relieved to find any!! Both the schools and the council were incredibly helpful by the way.