Help… Moving to Cotswolds

[CreativeSpeaker]

Hope no objections posting but I’m a Dad, with older daughter (21) who doesn’t live with me but comes to visit and really looking to try somewhere that’s she’s going to love to visit, while at the same time, be able to have enough local community going’s on to save her father from degenerating into early senility !! (I’m only 54 !! Not ready for that yet)

We both love the countryside, but I’m more drawn to a town, that has some life … or just a general feeling of something is always going on. Local classes or clubs events etc .. something I can get involved in to change workaholic lifestyle !!

Visited a few parts of Cotswolds - Cirencester, Stow, Woodstock, Bourton, Buford … but you know what it’s like “visiting” & “living” totally different and I’ve learnt that living in Stratford on Avon

Genuinely after a bit of guidance people’s experiences… and recommendations on somewhere with a bit of life & nice community feel without having to push to bigger places.

Any suggestions would be very welcome ☺️

Well someone will come along in a minute and recommend Stroud, but personally I can't stand the place, so here's my suggestions, but of course, it does depend on your budget - prices are crazy.
Chipping Norton and Burford in the north Cotswolds. Anywhere with good access to Cheltenham (or Oxford). Wooton under Edge, Dursley, Cam in the south - those three have good access to Bristol. Bear in mind that public transport is generally appalling in most villages (we have one bus a day to Gloucester, which is useless, and one bus a week to Stroud). We don't have things like Uber either, or takeaway deliveries. If you need a taxi you should have booked it last week!
If you want better value for money, the Forest of Dean is currently a bit cheaper, but catching up fast. Not a good place for a young person though, if they want an active social life. Visit the South Cotswolds and the Severn Vale to get a bigger picture.
Incidentally, I love Stratford, having spent many happy years narrowboating on the Avon. But as you say, living and visiting is totally different.

Concur with @Brownlongearedbat regarding Stroud - I was born and brought up in Stroud and, despite its 'green' credentials and popularity with luvvies and artists, it is the biggest, most depressing dump imagineable. Grim, ribbon development all the way from Chalford to the Stroudwater junction of the M5, claustraphobic, suffocating, oppressive and every time I visit to see family, I cannot wait to escape again. Just my perspective though, and many people love it.

If you can afford it I’d go for Chipping Norton. It’s Not far from the train line that goes to Oxford/London.

So I would go south Cotswolds - Tetbury, or South Cerney.

Tetbury is quaint, with a lively high Street and definitely a community feel. Kemble station is close by and has a direct train into London.
South Cerney- very popular with the more youthful, you have easy access to the lakes and all the associated watersports. Also close to Cirencester if you want more of a community feel.

Thank you ☺️ I’ve been looking at Chipping Norton, but so tough to get the balance for a youngster and at the same time me have some kind of social life … not sunk to golf yet …. But I’m weakening 😂

Stratford is lovely … especially in the summer, but then the traffic becomes gridlock and you realise how little there is to do 🤷‍♂️

How about Nailsworth? Quite near to Stroud but totally different feel. Beautiful little town with good places to eat, independent shops, blah blah. I know people who have settled there from outside the area and they love it.

Stratford is lovely … especially in the summer, but then the traffic becomes gridlock and you realise how little there is to do 🤷‍♂️

I’d be really careful that you spend a lot of time wherever you choose first - I found stratford had the same gridlock issues as many of the Cotswolds places, but much more to do. I lived in Chipping Norton before Stratford, loved it but loved Stratford more. I love Bourton too, and Tetbury, but i couldn’t live there - they’re just gorgeous places to visit.

Good luck on your searches!

Tetbury is full of antique shops and tourists, with no 'proper' shops. It's fine for a day trip (well, a couple of hours) but pretty soulless.

I'd go for Malmesbury - close to Bristol, Bath, the M4 and a nice community feel.

I love Stroud! I was born in Stroud but I have lived in a few places and for me nothing compares. I live a five minute walk from the centre. It's great to have a bustling town centre but be surrounded by countryside. The canal is being restored as well. Direct trains to London only take an hour and a half. There was enough nightlife for me as a teenager but occasionally we'd go to Cheltenham. Prices have gone up recently due to the recent Guardian article voting it the best town to live in but I still think they're affordable compared to other areas. There are prettier areas but but for me they're a bit more isolated. Nailsworth just down the road from Stroud is nice, it's like a mini version of Stroud a bit more picturesque but quieter.

www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/stroud-gloucestershire-best-place-to-live-sunday-times-b1822839.html

Also, Stroud health food shop does fantastic bread!

@TakeYourFinalPosition

Stratford is lovely … especially in the summer, but then the traffic becomes gridlock and you realise how little there is to do 🤷‍♂️

I’d be really careful that you spend a lot of time wherever you choose first - I found stratford had the same gridlock issues as many of the Cotswolds places, but much more to do. I lived in Chipping Norton before Stratford, loved it but loved Stratford more. I love Bourton too, and Tetbury, but i couldn’t live there - they’re just gorgeous places to visit.

Good luck on your searches!

@TakeYourFinalPosition

Thank you for that… this has become a total nightmare for me … to find a town with enough life to avoid feeling isolated. Adult education Classes, gym (when I can get my backside into gear) stuff to distract me from my workaholic ways ..

May I ask why you preferred Stratford ?? I’ve been here for 5 years and everyone seems in agreement, just nothing to do ??

@Cotswoldmama

I love Stroud! I was born in Stroud but I have lived in a few places and for me nothing compares. I live a five minute walk from the centre. It's great to have a bustling town centre but be surrounded by countryside. The canal is being restored as well. Direct trains to London only take an hour and a half. There was enough nightlife for me as a teenager but occasionally we'd go to Cheltenham. Prices have gone up recently due to the recent Guardian article voting it the best town to live in but I still think they're affordable compared to other areas. There are prettier areas but but for me they're a bit more isolated. Nailsworth just down the road from Stroud is nice, it's like a mini version of Stroud a bit more picturesque but quieter.

Really appreciate that and yes I saw the article .. may I ask if there is much on offer there by way of classes, adult education, gyms, cinemas, restaurants etc ??

Sorry for all the questions, just such a massive decision.