Houses

Cleaver

Can I just say how nice this thread is. Lots of interesting and entertaining views on areas around here, schools, values... and no one being nasty to one another. Lovely. And Dopester, your description of the word 'poached' to describe the Manchester accent was almost perfect poetry.

Especially interesting to read about North / South Manchester differences and the talk of accents and schooling. I wouldn't really care that much what accent my kid had, or which school they went to. But maybe that's just my feeling now because we have no plans for kids.

Saw a house this evening that we really liked in Prestwich. Semi-detached, right by Heaton Park, 3 minute walk from the tram which is an 11 minute ride from work and the centre of Manchester. Which is important. We're pretty much bound by the M60 because we like our trips in the city centre for meals / drinks / friends / theatre / cinema / walks / shopping etc. so don't want to really want to be too far out. This house has everything we want and a great little sun room where I could have an office. But there's no rush. Looking at a load of places in South Manc over the weekend as a comparison. If we sold our flat for a realistic price and used up all of our savings we could get the house we looked at tonight almost mortgage-free. Which is pretty damn tempting considering it ticks all of our boxes.

Lastly, it was interesting to hear Carol talking about crime stats. I have never even thought to look at them. I kinda go by the rule of thumb of assessing whether an area / street is okay, checking my house is secure and then living my life knowing that there is a small chance of being mugged / burgled / attacked pretty much anywhere you live. It's a very small chance because we're a very safe country on the whole, so I never even think about. I've been mugged once and pickpocketed once, and they were in the same weekend in Barcelona. I've lived in some pretty rough areas as a small kid, as a student in a city, and I guess I do right now, and never had a hint of any type of problem.

Cleaver

carolt wrote: »

And I am finding it stressful and tedious...

We visit our 9th school this week! Then time to sit down with Ofsted reports plus all the bumph etc and decide where we want to move to....

Just to ask a really blunt question... does the school matter that much? I always thought it came down to the parent's level of interest and the kid's attitude when looking at how well they do at school.

I went to a pretty rough / average school. The kids that tried hard and had interested parents got As and Bs, whilst the kids that didn't give a sh*t and had parents who cared even less got Es and Fs.

And I just know that this is going to be insulting, so sorry in advance, but the idea of picking a region to live based on the schools and OFSTED reports seems a touch depressing.

lynzpower

Cleaver wrote: »

Just to ask a really blunt question... does the school matter that much? I always thought it came down to the parent's level of interest and the kid's attitude when looking at how well they do at school.

I went to a pretty rough / average school. The kids that tried hard and had interested parents got As and Bs, whilst the kids that didn't give a sh*t and had parents who cared even less got Es and Fs.

And I just know that this is going to be insulting, so sorry in advance, but the idea of picking a region to live based on the schools and OFSTED reports seems a touch depressing.

Let me tell you a story

Whilst I was in primary school we lived in Northenden ( we are going back a few years!) I tried to get into Sale grammar and didnt pass 11 plus unfortunately. so we went and looked around the schools, and the one I was meant to go to ( feeder) well we walked up, me past a gang of girls scrapping pulling each others hair. Then one of the star pupils did a presentation on achievement and she was pregnant. I didnt really twig on at the time, as I was only 10 or whatever, but I remember my mum saying to my dad when we got home we are not sending her there. No chance.

So thats when they sold the house in northenden and moved to gatley so i could go to the local comp there. ( kingsway) which was streets ahead in terms of reputation.

I honestly think that the odds would have been stacked against me in terms of peers for me going onto universirty and continued lifelong learning. Over the years, relatives had gone to the other school dropped out with poor grades/ got pregnant/ skived off/ petty crime. It was expected that youd go to college or get an apprenticeship when we left kingsway.

this is some years ago, but im certain it makes a huge difference where you live and what the schools are like.

fc123

Cleaver wrote: »

Just to ask a really blunt question... does the school matter that much? I always thought it came down to the parent's level of interest and the kid's attitude when looking at how well they do at school.

I went to a pretty rough / average school. The kids that tried hard and had interested parents got As and Bs, whilst the kids that didn't give a sh*t and had parents who cared even less got Es and Fs.

And I just know that this is going to be insulting, so sorry in advance, but the idea of picking a region to live based on the schools and OFSTED reports seems a touch depressing.

Sort of.

A lot depends on the personality of your kid. I have known kids to go to really 'bad' schools and come out with straight A's as they have a strong self of self and weren't sidetracked or got caught up in the teen rebellion moment of being anti everything their parents say, do or advise.

Kids that do rebel and run with the pack for a while can also be fine but it depends on the choices of 'pack' available.
I think that's what concerns some parents......and it is known that the odd school in an area have fiercer packs than others

In the end, your kids are born with a personality type (I believe) and the rest is nurtured by all sorts of things, home, school, mates etc.

Personally, I would live whrere it suits you now and if the kids come along at some point, and schools become an issue, then deal with it when it arises.

Some kids have special needs so living near a school that has a great reputation for their issues is important.

I feel we were totally failed by the state catchment rules but the end outcome for our 2 was OK.
School is just part of an upbringing but 'good' ones really help the parents along.;)

fc123

dopester wrote: »

Keep us informed fc please, but I have to be honest in admitting some of your recent anecdotal stories don't strike too much fear into me about any inflation threat for the value of houses.

Their St was selling at around £5ook in 2006 though.

I can't explain the inflation thing but perhaps it's kicking off with houses, utilities, petrol, food first. It's the other stuff that keeps the inflation figures down (ipods, plasmas and clothes etc).
Wages are, usually the last thing to go up.

silvercar

lostinrates wrote: »

Because the whole schoolthing is never an issue for us I find the discussion of school ctchment areas fascinating and new.

Most scarey experience, trying to sort your way through the maze, particularly if you live on the border of different LEAs, so you get a "choice" of single sex, grammar, denominational, state, private......

Just grateful I don't have to repeat it again, (except for 6th form, but thats a different ball game).

Patchwork_Quilt

If you buy near a train station and a good school, your house will sell much more easily in a down turn. However, these houses are more expensive in the first place.

DH always says that you should buy the cheapest house in the most expensive street you can afford.

silvercar

cleaver wrote:

And I just know that this is going to be insulting, so sorry in advance, but the idea of picking a region to live based on the schools and OFSTED reports seems a touch depressing.

We lost buyers once. They had used our address for their school application, exchange of contracts got delayed and then they found they hadn't got a school place (even with our address) so they went and rented the nearest house they could find next to their choice of school!

pingu2209

You can't get a flat for £200 near me!

pingu2209

Cleaver wrote: »

Just to ask a really blunt question... does the school matter that much? I always thought it came down to the parent's level of interest and the kid's attitude when looking at how well they do at school.

I went to a pretty rough / average school. The kids that tried hard and had interested parents got As and Bs, whilst the kids that didn't give a sh*t and had parents who cared even less got Es and Fs.

And I just know that this is going to be insulting, so sorry in advance, but the idea of picking a region to live based on the schools and OFSTED reports seems a touch depressing.

You are the subject of your environment. Who you mix with matters!