Relocating to North Wales

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We are considering relocating to North Wales. Currently live in the south east, in corporate jobs. We have two young child 2.5yrs and 3m, and my only real reservation with North Wales is the language. I realise both children are young enough to pick it up, we would attempt to learn conversational Welsh but I think we would both struggle.

Has anyone else had experience of relocating to North Wales as non-Welsh speakers and have any advice or things to share?!

Depends where you are going to live, some parts are predominantely Welsh speakers and others where you never hear it spoken unless you are in a family home. I have Welsh born and bred friends who can't speak or understand it.

I was born and raised in North Wales.
Even though I've grown up here, I'm not fluent in Welsh. (My dad's side speaks it fluently, but since I didn't grow up with them, I never learned the language)

Where are you planning to move to?

I’d say it’s only an issue if you're moving beyond Bangor, particularly to Anglesey.

I have lived in Llanfairfechan, Llandudno, Deganwy, and currently Colwyn Bay, and it has never posed a problem for me or anyone I know.

Certain jobs need you to know the language, ambulance service, police force or the council for example, but aside from that, it’s fine. Are you sticking with your jobs?

@FishPie2@lampshadesshinethank you for your replies.
We’re not set on an area but have looked at something about 20mins out from Porthmadog, and then something in Corwen.

I have extended family in Pwhelli who speak Welsh, but this isn’t any reason for us to move, and I’m not close to them.

my main worry is our daughters’ only option being a Welsh medium school and then us not being able to help with homework! I completely understand and would welcome them to learn Welsh and that’s it’s necessary but don’t want to miss out or be excluded from a part of their life because of it.
also with schools, is it fairly normal for children to travel reasonable far for school? Would 45mins be considered long?

Jobs wise we could keep existing jobs.

20 mins out from Port (in any given direction) would have a significant amount of Welsh speaking, but this wouldn't be an issue. Your DD's school would be Welsh medium but very used to English-speaking parents so not an issue, they'll likely also run lessons for parents to learn Welsh so that will always be helpful!

Regarding travel; secondary or primary? I can imagine long drives to school in some of the remote areas on the Llŷn Peninsula, but the majority of the areas around Porthmadog have primaries much closer than 45 minutes. It's pretty standard for secondaries though; I travelled 45 mins each way by train to my secondary (there was a closer but, at the time, worse one 15 minutes away by bus).

The stretch between Porthmadog and Barmouth could be good if you're looking for close primary schools, a good mix of English and Welsh (still Welsh medium schools but very used to English parents), and easy travel to three decent secondaries (Ardudwy, Bro Idris, Tywyn).

I'm English and moved to North Wales after being offered a job there. It's one of the few roles that I can have here, because I am not a Welsh speaker.

I am, however, learning! There are online classes (Dysgu Cymraeg or Popeth Cymraeg) and in-person ones. Sometimes people speak Welsh to me, but are very accommodating when I say, "Dw i'n dysgu Cymraeg!" (I am learning Welsh). They either switch to English, or speak Welsh slowly and clearly to me! Do make an effort to learn Welsh, and if your house has a Welsh name, please check the pronunciation and meaning with the estate agents or your neighbours! (I have met a few people who have no idea how to say where they live...). Oh, and being a member of a choir is much more popular here than in England!

If you live in Flintshire, it seems predominantly English-speaking. Denbighshire (at least around Corwen) is more of a mixture of both English and Welsh (but mainly Welsh if you're rural). There are a lot of Welsh-medium schools around here, but there are a few English ones, too, even though they have Ysgol in their names. Quite a lot of the local primary schools are tiny. 45 minutes to school seems a long time, but a lot of students live rurally and are bussed in to the local schools (including primary schools) and colleges around here. Friends who had Welsh-medium educations and English-speaking parents just learnt everything (e.g. maths) in both languages out of necessity for help with homework!

Erm... you might feel like a shoplifter when picking up prescriptions, as unlike in England, they are free in Wales. Depending on where you live, you might find country roads a bit different to get used to, or driving behind farm vehicles, or in the dark because there aren't always street lights. It's a beautiful country.