I'm not really sure where I should be posting this…
It is VERY likely that we will be moving to Gloucestershire within the very near future.
OH will be working in the Tewkesbury area and me probably in Birmingham (I have more flexibility).
I need some input on nice areas to live in in Gloucestershire. Nice villages that we might consider, or towns. Most expensive areas etc.. Any info / input is more than welcome as we have no idea what the different areas are like.
I saw a program recently talking about Bourton-on-the-water, but that is as far as my knowledge of the area goes. Sorry.
Also would welcome any sound advice on where NOT to buy or look…
Thank you in advance! We are planning a trip there for mid-August so any comments are more than welcome!
Cheers! Anne
If you move there, I'll bring you a bottle of Oyster Bay [/quote]
I think I can't let pass your offer of Oyster Bay… just because of that I am contacting the agent as we speak and renting the house!!
Looks like a lovely place!!! :j
Prices won't be rising in the time it takes you decide on where you want to be either, so that's a nice bonus. Do have a look at Worcestershire because even the pretty places aren't as expensive as somewhere like Bourton. £300k will easily buy you a decent four bedroom detached property in Worcestershire.
There's a house to let in Ombersley which is just stunning, brand new near our friends in a fabulous village actually – really pretty and a couple of really good restaurants and an award winning butcher as well. I don't even know the guy but if I was renting now I'd move there like a shot! Prices in the village are pretty reasonable in general.
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/viewdetails-21862757.rsp?pa_n=1&tr_t=rent
If you move there, I'll bring you a bottle of Oyster Bay
We were even considering selling here, putting the money into savings (we'll have around 125k) and rent somewhere until we find a place that we like / find our bearings. Since prices are heading south I'm wondering if that wouldn't be the sensible thing to do, maybe in an year or so we will be able to grab a bargain.
Thanks for the input!
Bourton on the Water is very nice but you'll be paying a real premium in the Cotswolds plus you're quite far from Birmingham there and nowhere near the motorway to speed your journey along. Places in the area where tourism is popular pushes prices right up – Bourton, Broadway, Stratford etc.
Pershore is really very nice and not too far from the M5. We have friends in Wyre Piddle I have a house in Kempsey which is a really nice village just outside Worcester on the A38 to Tewkesbury and 5 minutes from the M5.
What's your budget going to be for what size house?
The OP already has a job in B'ham and their OH in Twekesbury….
Without sounding harsh, having lived in around the area maybe I have slightly more knowledge on the area?
FYI – Kraft Foods, GE Aviation, Kohler Mira and many others all have HQ's in Cheltenham.
Tewkesbury & Stroud are small but interesting. Gloucester and Cheltenham are bigger but very different, Cheltenham town centre is very expensive but lots going on, Gloucester is the opposite and has mostly out-of-town attractions (although some town-centre regeneration is going on)… all these places are surrounded by beautiful countryside.
btw I have lived in Gloucester, Cheltenham, and the surrounding countryside
I some respects Tewkesbury is to be avoided as therie really isn't much there. Gloucester on the other hand apparently is the capital of the county and nearly all administration is based their for the county. cheltenham I think has a better shopping arena but Gloucester is a bigger place and some sort of new outlet village is being built. If you want regency and pompousness go to Cheltenham. If not anywhere but there would be OK for you, Stroud and it's valleys is pleasant.
Cheltenham (Centre For The Cotswolds) is a far better town to live in than Gloucester, though as I said that is my 2 pence worth… The resturants, shops, parks, schools and way of life are all superior to that of Gloucester town centre.
Plus it is 2 mins from the M5 and takes 45mins to get to Birmingham by car or train.
Bourton of the Water would be a fair treck to Birmingham as it's located a fair distance from the motorways.
I some respects Tewkesbury is to be avoided as therie really isn't much there. Gloucester on the other hand apparently is the capital of the county and nearly all administration is based their for the county. cheltenham I think has a better shopping arena but Gloucester is a bigger place and some sort of new outlet village is being built. If you want regency and pompousness go to Cheltenham. If not anywhere but there would be OK for you, Stroud and it's valleys is pleasant.
Cheltenham is the best "town" to live in within Gloucestershire if you want a good selection of shops, bars and life in general, specifically Tivoli, Montpellier and Leckhampton areas are the most sought after.
There are some lovely villages around – Winchcombe, Nauton, Whittingham, Temple Guiting… But depends on how many amenities you need around you and schools etc.
I'd avoid Gloucester and Tewkesbury town centres but that's just personal opinion.
If you have any specific questions let me know…
You need a map of the trainstops from Birmingham perhaps if you're looking at getting the train to work.