I was born in Rhiwbina 40 years ago, went to school in Whitchurch, lived in Tongwynlais for a bit and have lived in Cyncoed for ten years. I also know most other areas of the city reasonably well.
Rhiwbina is a nice place but is probably quite pricey these days. Not everybody likes it because it's full of old people (like my parents. ha, ha). Whitchurch is OK. Lisvane is very expensive and for some reason loads of people aspire to live there. But it's a soul less place and I would honestly prefer to live in Splott (some parts of which are absolutely brilliant!) I know a lot of people who moved from Rhiwbina to Lisvane because they thought they were going up in the world. Many of them hated the place and eventually moved back to Rhiwbina. I'm not keen on Thornhill myself but I know lots of people who like it. Heath and Birchgrove are pretty much OK.
Lakeside is OK. I absolutely love living in Cyncoed but, again, it is a bit pricey. For me it's by far the best area of Cardiff, for lots of reasons, but I know lots of people who think it's snobby.
I work in the Bay. It takes me twenty minutes to drive there in the morning (earlyish), or seventeen minutes on my bike (at any time), or thirty five if I run to work. I cycle to town in under fifteen minutes and it's a doddle. No parking problems either. Llandaff is nice. Llandaff North is OK.
Radyr is nice but don't believe people who say commuting from there is easy! Well not by car or bus anyway. Bike or train are the only two forms of transport I would even consider to the city centre from Radyr. I did the council "commuter challenge" from Radyr to the Millenium Centre a few months ago. My bike did it in 22 minutes down the Taff Trail, whereas the train took 35 minutes, a car took 45 minutes and a bus took over an hour. I regularly run between Cardiff Bay and Radyr. I am faster than the bus on foot. (And trust me, I am a very slow runner!)
As far as schools go, my opinion is that we're extremely lucky in North Cardiff. Whitchurch, Radyr, Cardiff High and Llanishen are all good schools. I would be happy for my kids to go to any of them.
East or West of Cardiff? Well some bits are OK and some aren't. And some bits REALLY aren't. So be more careful if that's where you decide to go.
Just my opinion though. The renting option sounds like good advice to me.
Just caught up with this thread after it was on the weekly mailout. We moved to Riverside a year ago and can't reccommend it highly enough. It's only 10min walk to the stadium and 15min to town. Canton is good too, but you get less for your money than you do here. Victoria Park is great for kids - our three year old loves going there.
Happy househunting - Darlows seem to have most of Cardiff sewn up, but there are also a few houses on Peter Alan and Rightmove.
Ahh, Viccy Park!!! I live a stone's throw away from Roath Park, which is considered to be Cardiff's flagship park, but I have to say that I sometimes take my kids to Victoria Park instead. It's superb.
What could be better on a hot day than to jump in the pool, bark like a dog, swim like an eel and pretend to be Billy the Seal?!!! AND you can visit "Up and Under" AND grab a tidy Clarksie. Highly recommended and another great area.
I Live In Rhiwbina - Even The Semi's Don't Give You Much Change From 250k!!! Have You Looked In Pantmawr/morganstown/taffs Well/tongwynlais? All North Of Cardiff But As They Are Just Outside, Prices Are A Little Cheaper.. Whitchurch Is Just Lovely - Great Village Atmosphere, Train Station, Pubs, Schools/nurseries, Good Bus Links All Close By, And Only 10 Mins From City Centre! Good Luck.
Danescourt!
The house prices are reasonable, the local Somerfield is good, the Post Office is friendly and is where people meet & chat, and the Infant/Primary school is FANTASTIC! Both my kiddies went there and both loved it. And you'll be in the catchment for Radyr Secondary which I think is only 2nd to Cardiff High School educationally (Cardiff High appears in national league tables of good schools).
Danescourt has a good direct bus service into town, and is not far from the local trainline too, but if you want to cycle, it should only take a few minutes into town centre. Word of warning tho', I cycled here 18 years ago from Derbyshire, & chained my bike up outside the Bank on Queen Street, only to emerge 5 mins later & find my bike stolen. That was my 1st 'Welcome' to moving here! Just get a good indestructible bike lock!
Good luck with your move to Cardiff. I'm moving now to England....
I Live In Rhiwbina - Even The Semi's Don't Give You Much Change From 250k!!! Have You Looked In Pantmawr/morganstown/taffs Well/tongwynlais? All North Of Cardiff But As They Are Just Outside, Prices Are A Little Cheaper.. Whitchurch Is Just Lovely - Great Village Atmosphere, Train Station, Pubs, Schools/nurseries, Good Bus Links All Close By, And Only 10 Mins From City Centre! Good Luck.
Just a couple of things - Taffs Well isn't in Cardiff, and Tongwynlais isn't cheap!
:A MSE's turbo-charged CurlyWurlyGirly:A
Thinks Naughty Things Too Much Clique Member No 3, 4 & 5
Danescourt!
And you'll be in the catchment for Radyr Secondary which I think is only 2nd to Cardiff High School educationally (Cardiff High appears in national league tables of good schools).
I thought they were changing that - I went to Radyr Comp (left in 1996 mind) and they were trying to stop Danescourt kids going there then........
Also went to Bishop of Llandaff (with a lot of Danescourt kids) - BOL competes directly with Cardiff High (we took turns to be no 1 when I was there!).
:A MSE's turbo-charged CurlyWurlyGirly:A
Thinks Naughty Things Too Much Clique Member No 3, 4 & 5
Replies
Rhiwbina is a nice place but is probably quite pricey these days. Not everybody likes it because it's full of old people (like my parents. ha, ha). Whitchurch is OK. Lisvane is very expensive and for some reason loads of people aspire to live there. But it's a soul less place and I would honestly prefer to live in Splott (some parts of which are absolutely brilliant!) I know a lot of people who moved from Rhiwbina to Lisvane because they thought they were going up in the world. Many of them hated the place and eventually moved back to Rhiwbina. I'm not keen on Thornhill myself but I know lots of people who like it. Heath and Birchgrove are pretty much OK.
Lakeside is OK. I absolutely love living in Cyncoed but, again, it is a bit pricey. For me it's by far the best area of Cardiff, for lots of reasons, but I know lots of people who think it's snobby.
I work in the Bay. It takes me twenty minutes to drive there in the morning (earlyish), or seventeen minutes on my bike (at any time), or thirty five if I run to work. I cycle to town in under fifteen minutes and it's a doddle. No parking problems either. Llandaff is nice. Llandaff North is OK.
Radyr is nice but don't believe people who say commuting from there is easy! Well not by car or bus anyway. Bike or train are the only two forms of transport I would even consider to the city centre from Radyr. I did the council "commuter challenge" from Radyr to the Millenium Centre a few months ago. My bike did it in 22 minutes down the Taff Trail, whereas the train took 35 minutes, a car took 45 minutes and a bus took over an hour. I regularly run between Cardiff Bay and Radyr. I am faster than the bus on foot. (And trust me, I am a very slow runner!)
As far as schools go, my opinion is that we're extremely lucky in North Cardiff. Whitchurch, Radyr, Cardiff High and Llanishen are all good schools. I would be happy for my kids to go to any of them.
East or West of Cardiff? Well some bits are OK and some aren't. And some bits REALLY aren't. So be more careful if that's where you decide to go.
Just my opinion though. The renting option sounds like good advice to me.
Just caught up with this thread after it was on the weekly mailout. We moved to Riverside a year ago and can't reccommend it highly enough. It's only 10min walk to the stadium and 15min to town. Canton is good too, but you get less for your money than you do here. Victoria Park is great for kids - our three year old loves going there.
Happy househunting - Darlows seem to have most of Cardiff sewn up, but there are also a few houses on Peter Alan and Rightmove.
JM
What could be better on a hot day than to jump in the pool, bark like a dog, swim like an eel and pretend to be Billy the Seal?!!! AND you can visit "Up and Under" AND grab a tidy Clarksie. Highly recommended and another great area.
The house prices are reasonable, the local Somerfield is good, the Post Office is friendly and is where people meet & chat, and the Infant/Primary school is FANTASTIC! Both my kiddies went there and both loved it. And you'll be in the catchment for Radyr Secondary which I think is only 2nd to Cardiff High School educationally (Cardiff High appears in national league tables of good schools).
Danescourt has a good direct bus service into town, and is not far from the local trainline too, but if you want to cycle, it should only take a few minutes into town centre. Word of warning tho', I cycled here 18 years ago from Derbyshire, & chained my bike up outside the Bank on Queen Street, only to emerge 5 mins later & find my bike stolen. That was my 1st 'Welcome' to moving here! Just get a good indestructible bike lock!
Good luck with your move to Cardiff. I'm moving now to England....
(Care to buy a house???!)
Many thanks for all your advice, you've all been very informative.
Just a couple of things - Taffs Well isn't in Cardiff, and Tongwynlais isn't cheap!
I thought they were changing that - I went to Radyr Comp (left in 1996 mind) and they were trying to stop Danescourt kids going there then........
Also went to Bishop of Llandaff (with a lot of Danescourt kids) - BOL competes directly with Cardiff High (we took turns to be no 1 when I was there!).
she stated its outside of cardiff