where to buy in the Midlands...

macca-girl

Another vote for Rugby here. The town has had some major investments in the past year or so and there are lots of businesses around.

Transport links are great too, both road networks and public transport. Less than an hour to London and 40 mins to Birmingham on the train.

hottdang1

Fascinating thread - thanks all

I'll be doing a lot of research into all these places
- yes, I can probably up the budget so I'll work on that to see what is sensible for us and what isn't

Just to comment on a few bits, 2 or 3 bed mid terrace is fine - we're in a 3 bed at the moment on a small ex council estate in Hemel Hempstead and I haven't seen the spare room for junk in 5 years (another thread for that maybe?!) so we don't need a lot of space

Garden at the mo is probably 50ft - we've got a small dog and a lad who likes football but obviously the local park is fine

Transport - a good bus route into town or to industrial areas is good. Don't need train

Motorway - if I can get onto the motorway within 20mins or so that'll do (or a decent alternative dual carriage way etc)

School is the tricky one - anyone seen anything specific on that subject?

Thanks again

LittleMax

Warwickshire County Council published their breakdown of places for secondary schools yesterday, so you can see how close you will need to be. You will be able to work out from the distances which are the best schools!
https://apps.warwickshire.gov.uk/api/documents/WCCC-699-526

Leicestershire don't publish this, you have to request it. Both Lutterworth secondary schools last year went to around 14 miles outside the priority area.

I don't know about other authorities, but all will have this information, it's just whether it's on their website or whether you need to request it. You can look at Ofsted website for reports on individual schools and also dashboards showing the results achieved.

Probably better to narrow down areas first and then look at schools.

tomtontom

Doozergirl wrote: »

If you are coming in at an unusual time, you don't have to live in catchment. Swings and roundabouts, I think.

If you don't live in a city, pressure on places is not as tough. A big part of the reason we moved to the Midlands!

I didn't say anything about catchment? Pressure on places can be tough anywhere, I'm ten miles outside the nearest city but yesterday still produced many disappointed parents (although there would have been less if they'd bothered to read the admissions criteria correctly ).

OP seems to have ignored my post anyway ...

hottdang1

Sorry Litlemax, misread friend's msg - she said the 'older' houses - bit vague I know!

hottdang1

Tomtontom - sorry, missed your post earlier

Nottingham is a consideration for sure - I like the city although not been for some time but will check those areas out

On the schools, I will spend some time as that applies anywhere really and is always going to be a challenge

Thx

Doozergirl

tomtontom wrote: »

I didn't say anything about catchment? Pressure on places can be tough anywhere, I'm ten miles outside the nearest city but yesterday still produced many disappointed parents (although there would have been less if they'd bothered to read the admissions criteria correctly ).

OP seems to have ignored my post anyway ...

I didn't say you did!

What I am saying is that it's generally unlikely that you make a move in the right timeframe for the changing schools process. If your child is in year 4, for example, there is unlikely to be a waiting list. If one school is full, another equally good school could have openings.

Having moved our son a couple of times at the wrong time, we were never faced with a challenge when we viewed numerous schools. They all had space for a little one. The choice was ours.

kiddy_guy

Realistically the Midlands isnt north prices and your budget vs requirements don't match.

You're looking along the m1 corridor and without it being a city then you're competing with everyone who needs access to those cities but doesnt want to live there. Outlying towns and villages arent that cheap.

Rugby is probably as good a match as you're going to get but it's not that cheap and i personally would not want to live there. If your wife wants a job I'd also ask what type because you need industry and Rugby is an industrial town.

hottdang1

Hi All, just wanted to say thx - this is really really useful information.

I'm going to be offline most of today so just wanted to mention this so no-one thinks I've asked for your time then gone awol !

I'll come back on individual comments ASAP

All the best
Adrian

ibizafan_2

You could do a lot worse than Rugby. I know, because I've lived there for 27 years. We moved from Northamptonshire because of the schools, and both of my sons went to the boys' grammar, which is excellent. Minutes from the M1 and M6, and 50 minutes to Euston on the train makes it easy to strike out in any direction. As for employment, It is relatively easy to travel to Northampton, Coventry and Daventry. There are also plenty who commute to London. In fact, Rugby has been voted cheapest housing for the commute distance and is the reason that more and more Londoners are moving to the town. We wouldn't have moved here other than for school reasons, but can see no reason to leave although my sons have long been gone. We just like it here.