The south west

[anouk1979]

Hello , I’m desperately looking for some words of wisdom from any mums that might live nearby. We moved from Northamptonshire to Trowbridge two years ago (I work in Bath) but after two years I’m just not happy here, no disrespect to Trowbridge I just haven’t found the community I was after, and have been left feeling isolated. So now we are thinking of moving somewhere nearby (not Bath especially) but nervous about moving the kids again unless we are going to get it right this time. We love frome and the independent feel of it , but as it’s also a large town I’m worried that we won’t meet new friends etc again.
Any mums that live in frome that have made that move ? Or anywhere nearby (surrounding villages) I’m really after that laid back community feel with lots of new friends etc
Thank you

I live in Bath and am from the area. Frome has much more of a community vibe than Trowbridge. It’s getting more expensive because of all the Londoners moving down. It’s very family centric with lots of groups to do with kids which is a nice way to meet friends. I used to go to a baby group there and still am in contact with a few people.
Other villages that have a good community feel and schools are Rode, Norton St Philip, Freshford. I would advise you look at schools too.
Frome has a middle school system that some people like, some don’t. It wouldn’t have worked for my kids
Pm me if I can be of any more help.

Following as I'm from Northamptonshire too and don't like it. How do you find it compares to the south west? I'm a big believer in areas having a vibe and some areas being easier to make friends etc but DH thinks I'm mad. I've never settled where I am and he thinks all places are the same and I'm looking for some kind of utopia!
He's from the south west himself. We looked at Bristol but I wasn't keen when we visited, plus housing is expensive and schools are difficult.

I live in this neck of the woods. We moved here 7 yrs ago and didn't know a soul. Luckily we had great neighbours and I met people through my hobby but it wasn't until we had kids that we really began to form friendships with people in the area.

Would a village suit you better? Frome is a pretty big town too, so it still may not have the community vibe that you're after.

We have just moved back north from the area, but I would agree Trowbridge is not the friendliest of places.
I lived in Westbury for a while and they had nice kids groups and I met Mjm friends there who I am still in touch with now. Though that was a few years ago and I think Westbury is a bit bigger now.
How old are your children?
I always liked Frome, really nice place with lots going on to meet people.
Broughton Gifford is really nice, great primary but is a small village. Corsham too, good community feel. Holt also, smaller size and community activities to meet people.

I'm also in this area but further up in Chippenham. A bit smaller than Trowbridge maybe? I like it a lot. It also has the benefit of good secondary schools if that's on your radar. Corsham might suit you too, though will be more expensive. But it's nice. Both of these are good locations for commuting to Bath. Some nice villages around too if you prefer an 'active' village - Derry Hill, Kington Langley? Come and have a look!

My kids are 5 and 3 , I guess because I moved after my maternity leave was over it’s been even harder, we loved totally blind into Trowbridge and two years later I find I haven’t many friends and I’ve tried so many playgroups but none have been an easy crowd (maybe it’s just me haha ) I’ve lived from a village and loved the community , but it’s finding a village with a young family vibe I guess.

Typed to fast there
Moved ! Not loved / lived

Most of my cousin seem to live in North Bradley. I have family in Trowbridge but I've never been overl fond of it.