Are the Welsh Valleys REALLY that bad???

Epona

Greetings all!

I am considering taking a job in Cardiff - it will involve a relocation from Essex - and while I love Wales I don't know the south-east corner that well.

We have been looking at what housing would be affordable to buy within commuting distance by car of east Cardiff (just off the M48). There is a definite drop in prices as you go westwards from the Wye and Usk valleys into the Valleys proper. I know the areas are poor, and there isn't much work locally, but I've also heard some horror stories about them being horrible places to live in - are they really that bad???

Bear in mind that we are a) coming from Essex b) will want to buy a house in glorious isolation or somewhere very small c) don't have a need for schools or stuff for kids to do, and d) have already heard all the stories about how much the Welsh supposedly hate the English and have found them to be untrue (frankly I don't like many English people much either, end I'm one of them!).

So are the Valleys the scumholes I've been told?? Any advice from anyone who actually lives in the area is much appreciated.

many thanks!!!!

Nikki

charleyroo

Hi Nikki

I live in the area have you looked at Pontprennau or around that area? Almost in Cardiff but out of the city?

Also Rogerstone is lovely and only just off the M4, parts of St Julians is great, Caerleon is fab and has gorgeous summery pubs, again just off the M4.

How are you going to get to work? The trains from Newport are every 5 mins but the car park is £7 a day (there are free places but you'd have a short walk). OTOH, car parking in Cardiff is horrendous unless you have a fabled space!

charleyroo

oh - and the Valleys isn't bad at all. There are areas you'd avoid like anywhere else but on the whole anywhere you go will be full of community-minded people who are friendly and fun.
x

Fosterdog

As someone born and bred in the valleys I can honestly say I would never want to live anywhere else.

There are good and bad area the same as everywhere else in the country.

The Welsh/English rivalry has been going on for generations but I know loads of english people living in wales and being welcomed completely. The rivalry is more aimed at sports these days and nothing more than some banter between the nations.

Public transport is almost non existent, internet speeds are shocking (although super fast cymru is upgrading the whole country).

Most areas are still very much communities with lots of local events to join in with. I've known most of my neighbours in every house I've lived in, although I've always been within a three mile radius.

Plenty of places to visit for a day out with some nice beaches, stunning views, mountains to climb etc.

Epona

Thank you charleyroo, the office I would be in is on the edge of Cardiff and has it's own parking, so transport/parking costs are not a problem. I will check out the areas you suggest .

And thank you Fosterdog, useful information.:T

Nikki

princeofpounds

No they aren't that bad, especially not when you correct for the fact that they are a poor area and any issues they have are very similar to other poor areas.

I'd worry about it if I needed local schooling for children, but as long as you have a nice house, on a nice street, in a nice village or wherever, then I doubt you will have any real worries. Unless you are snobbish about the people you have to rub shoulders with in the supermarkets.

Eviesmummy

Don't believe everything you see on tv - we're a nice bunch in the main!:D

dktreesea

My favourite place to live if I needed to be near Cardiff would be Penarth. Only 5 miles from the city centre and right on the sea. Gorgeous housing. Has it's own railway station. Not sure if you would be renting or buying, but a 2 bedroom place for rent would set you back about £600 a month or therebouts.

Penarth isn't that big, has around 20,000 people, so big enough to have things like large supermarkets nearby but not so small that getting a decent doctor or dentist would be a problem.

StaffieTerrier

I'm English and live in the Valleys (near Caerphilly). I've never had a problem. Ones of the reasons I chose where I live now is because everyone was so warm and welcoming. There's a community spirit here that's been lost elsewhere.

The property I bought would be x2 the price in Cardiff, only 15-20 mins drive away

adouglasmhor

I am neither Welsh not English but while my Irish GF got called Sais Plent because of moving in from Coventry when she was little that stopped within a short while and you expect it from kids not grown ups(Her da was a Dub and her ma was a culshie so you couldn't mistake them for English) I just got called Scotty by everybody. I didn't merit an Alban. Her bother still lives in Gorseinon and still has a non Welsh Accent and has never had any snash about it. His twin sounds like a right Llanelli Turk though as does the oldest sister.

Lleucu

Croeso i Gymru / welcome to Wales.

The Valleys get a bad and unfair press, there are some beautiful villages near Cardiff and good schools as well, and you will also be a short drive to the Brecon Beacons as well. Most villages are really friendly (the Valleys themselves have a very long history of immigration for work eg big Italian community) and not anti anybody. Plus as other posters have said houses can be really cheap - I would forget Penarth, snooty and over priced as well as really busy.

Look around Caerphilly or Pontypridd at some of the villages, if you need a school look at the Estyn reports on line. Plus all the stuff spouted by the likes of David Cameron about our shortcomings are tosh IMO.

If you wanted to pay a bit more and drive further, Brecon is really nice as well, but it is a hour on a pretty busy A470. Brecon has many facilities but is still small and friendly without being too posh.