where to buy in the Midlands...

hottdang1

Thanks HappyMJ - starting to narrow the parameters now

ManuelG

East side of Coventry will get you a 2 bed house for £130k-£150k (I know this for an absolute FACT ). Think Binley, Binley Woods type areas. Be aware that, as with any areas, bits of Binley, Wyken, Ernesford Grange are fine, decent, and you can get a decent house for not much money (relative to Kenilworth You're heading for 3 bed for your price here). Be aware that certain other corners of all the districts are... less so, and Estate Agents love renaming certain districts so the boundaries of them expand rather

If you're braver, Bulkington and Bedworth will get you lots and lots of house for your money. They're both... OK in the main, but not much going on. It's also worth checking out each part very carefully, as (again unsurprisingly) they flip into ne'er do well territory in parts.

ManuelG

kiddy_guy wrote: »

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.

Bilton (the side around the High School, anyway!) and Hillmorton are nice. I wouldn't discount Rugby.

ManuelG

LittleMax wrote: »

I was going to suggest Rugby - gives you all the benefits that Ithaca had highlighted but closer to the M1 and A14 and cheaper than Kenilworth/Warwick/Leamington. Has some very good schools - including grammar schools. Only caveat is the town is expanding rapidly and school places are not keeping pace, you will need to check catchment areas when you buy, and if you move mid year, may not have places in the best schools.

Still an 11+ system though, so entry to the grammar schools are open.

jaydeeuk1

I just so be happening to be selling my 2 bed in Belper a few miles north of Derby which may fulfill all your criteria, but even if not Belper is a really nice place. Lovely area (esp compared to most of nottingham and derby) picturesque town, on a6, 5 mins from a38, 10 from a52, 15mins from m1, close to two excellent primary schools and a secondary, lots of pupils go to ecclesbourne which is one of the best in derbyshire. Surrounded by country side, 15 minutes from matlock bath etc.

LittleMax

ManuelG wrote: »

Still an 11+ system though, so entry to the grammar schools are open.

But I would still want to make sure I am in a good catchment area - what if little johnny has a bad day on the day of the 11+? You need a good fall back.

belisha-beacon

I have friends in South Wigston (Leicestershire), which has loads of Victorian and also 1920s properties if you like them. It has a train station with good connections both to Birmingham and Leicester, and a good bus service and the property is very reasonable, eg this 2 bed for £132k: http://www.primelocation.com/for-sale/details/39689956?utm_source=nest&utm_medium=feeds#hWFdVjRzr59X1hLO.97 , this for £135k: https://www.onthemarket.com/details/2479833/?utm_source=mitula&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=mitula_feed

tinkerbellkirst

Another midlander here. I'm in Derby and just about to move from Alvaston to chellaston.

Chellaston is lovely and you could find probably a 2 bed within your budget there with all your criteria met. It's not far from the M1 either.

Other places Derby/Notts way I would recommend are spondon (there is a council bit but if you avoid that it's all good) it has good primaries and a good secondary. Borrowash, long eaton, draycott, sawley.

Hope that helps.

Thanks
Kirsty

hottdang1

Thanks - this thread has been of amazing value and I'm seeing lots of properties in the areas mentioned

The derby/Nottingham M1 corridor is looking v favourable for the budget - I will report back as this progresses

Thx again

jaydeeuk1

hottdang1 wrote: »

Thanks - this thread has been of amazing value and I'm seeing lots of properties in the areas mentioned

The derby/Nottingham M1 corridor is looking v favourable for the budget - I will report back as this progresses

Thx again

Well if you fancy Belper and quite like the sound of a certain 2 bed property added today for 134950 knowing that we want to sell pretty quickly as we've found the house we want, I'm all ears. Just need to add the other photos! Seems to fulfil all your criteria, bus stop a 30 second walk, excellent schools, lots of parks and nice nature reserve next door, and you'll reach the a38 before your engine has warmed up.