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Rural living

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

Original poster

South east to Grantham

40 replies

mashbanana · 07/02/2023 06:36

Hi,

I'm considering this move, from the south east up to Grantham. Anyone done the same or similar and how do you feel about the move now?

Have you missed the proximity to London? If you have school age kids, how have they found the transition? Was it all worth it? DH really wants to move, he moved to the south east for me when we met and has always wanted to go back further north, nearer home for him. I'm not opposed to the idea, but it's a big change 😬

OP posts:
Exasperatednow · 07/02/2023 06:37

Why Grantham, specifically?

Original poster
mashbanana · 07/02/2023 06:39

The rail link back to London for the odd work trip. Most likely villages around Grantham, not Grantham itself, thanks

OP posts:
OntarioBagnet · 07/02/2023 06:41

Grantham is really not the nicest town. It would not be top of my list of places to move to, very run down. But if you’re not bothered about that then that’s nice villages in the area.

TerfIngOnTheBeach · 07/02/2023 06:42

I’m assuming cost of living and ease to london, Kings Cross?

Original poster
mashbanana · 07/02/2023 06:43

TerfIngOnTheBeach · 07/02/2023 06:42

I’m assuming cost of living and ease to london, Kings Cross?

Yes to both

OP posts:
TimeLimit · 07/02/2023 06:43

The schools are really good - 2 grammar schools
And the rail links are fab

You can get a lot more for your money.

You might like to look at Stamford though as it's a beautiful town (think of it as a mini York)

Sunbird24 · 07/02/2023 06:44

I came to suggest Stamford too

Original poster
mashbanana · 07/02/2023 06:45

We've looked at Stamford; whilst beautiful, we can't get any more house for our money there than we have at home now

OP posts:
Original poster
mashbanana · 07/02/2023 06:49

The town itself not being ideal isn't a huge issue for me; as long as the schools are good. Where I live is a few miles from a ropy town centre where I wouldn't want to be after dark. But I think that probably true of most town centers these days, on paper, Grantham has less crime in all categories than where I live now.

OP posts:
TimeLimit · 07/02/2023 06:54

What is your budget?

OntarioBagnet · 07/02/2023 06:54

The schools are good if you pass the eleven plus and get a place. I’ve no up to date information on the alternatives but worth thinking about those as well. I’m not even sure what the grammars rules for allocating places are now.

But I live not a million miles from Grantham and Dd passed the eleven plus for a different grammar but didn’t get a place because they go on distance (once you’ve passes) and we lived in a village outside the town. Dd was the first year that kids from our village didn’t get in. Grantham may go purely on marks but they will be oversubscribed.

Original poster
mashbanana · 07/02/2023 06:54

Upto 650ish

OP posts:
TimeLimit · 07/02/2023 06:55

Is it primary or secondary schools you're after? You'll have to do a lot of research as some of the villages around Grantham are more expensive than Stamford.

Original poster
mashbanana · 07/02/2023 06:56

Secondary and primary

OP posts:
DurhamDurham · 07/02/2023 06:57

We have to drive through Grantham to visit the in-laws, the traffic is always a blooming nightmare. Whole town centre seems to be permanently gridlocked. Would drive me mad having to navigate through that on a daily basis.

Original poster
mashbanana · 07/02/2023 06:59

DurhamDurham · 07/02/2023 06:57

We have to drive through Grantham to visit the in-laws, the traffic is always a blooming nightmare. Whole town centre seems to be permanently gridlocked. Would drive me mad having to navigate through that on a daily basis.

Oh really, good to know. I'd potentially be working in Grantham so that's useful info

OP posts:
TimeLimit · 07/02/2023 07:00

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/129163694

This is in great gonerby, village north of Grantham. I was looking at allington too as there's a decent primary but they're all £750k+

Please feel free to message me as I'm from near Grantham and my husband used to be a response officer in Grantham so we know all the places to avoid!

Original poster
mashbanana · 07/02/2023 07:01

OntarioBagnet · 07/02/2023 06:54

The schools are good if you pass the eleven plus and get a place. I’ve no up to date information on the alternatives but worth thinking about those as well. I’m not even sure what the grammars rules for allocating places are now.

But I live not a million miles from Grantham and Dd passed the eleven plus for a different grammar but didn’t get a place because they go on distance (once you’ve passes) and we lived in a village outside the town. Dd was the first year that kids from our village didn’t get in. Grantham may go purely on marks but they will be oversubscribed.

Would be happy to share what village, or how far out of town you are? Would be useful to know re the school situation as dd is currently 9 so not too far on the future for us to think about that

OP posts:
2Old2BABPpresenter · 07/02/2023 07:01

I honestly don’t rate Grantham unless you fancy going to throw eggs at the statue of Maggie which is a past time for people. Look at the smaller outlying villages, please tell me you’ve visited the area though as it can be a bit bleak and the rail service can have issues.

Original poster
mashbanana · 07/02/2023 07:02

TimeLimit · 07/02/2023 07:00

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/129163694

This is in great gonerby, village north of Grantham. I was looking at allington too as there's a decent primary but they're all £750k+

Please feel free to message me as I'm from near Grantham and my husband used to be a response officer in Grantham so we know all the places to avoid!

I've been to view this house - it was beautiful

OP posts:
RutlandVasey · 07/02/2023 07:03

The Kings School is a fantastic school. I am warming to Grantham. I followed my hairdresser there from Oakham as she is so good. There is a super Japanese restaurant and it seems to be the last town in the U.K. that actually has High Street bags.

You must learn how to get on and off the A1 safely as the stretch from Grantham down to Peterborough is an accident black spot.

Some lovely villages- Prince Harry/William’s cousin lives close to Grantham as do the Manners. Buckminster, Skillington, etc are very pretty. PM me if you would like further info.

TimeLimit · 07/02/2023 07:03

@mashbanana it looks gorgeous on the photos, good spot too with being at the top of the hill!

PuttingDownRoots · 07/02/2023 07:04

It only took me 1hr 45mind to do the round trip to drop DDs at school.... 2 miles each way.

We moved to just outside Doncaster for better schools and motorway links. There was a real chance from our address we would end up in the failing Ofsted secondary school. (Which I believe has changed its name?)

RutlandVasey · 07/02/2023 07:05

High Street bags? Thanks autocorrect. Banks. There are banks with real people and machines you can pay cheques into. It’s heaven after Christmas when you need to bank the cheques the elderly rellies gave to your children.

custardbear · 07/02/2023 07:08

Try looking at West Bridgford, it's Nottingham, but reasonable rail links, especially if it's not that often. Great schools and local facilities etc.
It's expensive but good and close to the countryside too. Great sports and cafe type culture