Looking to buy in West Midlands or Worcestershire...

Falafels

I’ve lived in Bromsgrove for 25 years, and it’s a pleasant market town with friendly inhabitants! One of the things which really sums up Bromsgrove was that an escaped hamster made the front page of the Bromsgrove Advertiser!

Doozergirl

Falafels said:

I’ve lived in Bromsgrove for 25 years, and it’s a pleasant market town with friendly inhabitants! One of the things which really sums up Bromsgrove was that an escaped hamster made the front page of the Bromsgrove Advertiser!

Haha!  I moved from London and the local paper was a wonder to behold when we made it here.  I think a bench got stolen from somewhere.  😳

Scotbot

Bear in mind when calculating the commute it's not just the train time. You have to add on time getting from university station to place of work and time to get from home to first station. Whilst most of the stations north of Chester road have car parks before covid they were full by 8 am so it is a good idea to be walking distance. I  imagine the same is true of the south of university but don't know those areas so can't comment 

bealau

@Doozergirl I did notice the three tier school system now that you mention it. I do like that. And I do always hear good things about Bromsgrove and its schools. Any idea what it's like getting public transport from Barnt Green to Bromsgrove town centre? 
Doozergirl said:

In fact, there's a smaller developer with a little  cul de sac of 6 houses about to go up next to my house.  He's not planning to release until they're built, because they're a smaller company.  

 That sounds promising. I'm not sure how to source out developments by smaller companies. What's the company name? (If you don't mind sharing). I'll keep a look out. 

bealau

MessedUp said:

ive got a cottage for sale in worcester! 5 mins from the m5 

@MessedUp Sounds lovely honestly, but because of the Equity Loan, we can only purchase new build developments. 

Doozergirl

bealau said:

@Doozergirl I did notice the three tier school system now that you mention it. I do like that. And I do always hear good things about Bromsgrove and its schools. Any idea what it's like getting public transport from Barnt Green to Bromsgrove town centre? 
Doozergirl said:

In fact, there's a smaller developer with a little  cul de sac of 6 houses about to go up next to my house.  He's not planning to release until they're built, because they're a smaller company.  

 That sounds promising. I'm not sure how to source out developments by smaller companies. What's the company name? (If you don't mind sharing). I'll keep a look out. 

Whilst the train line is fine, public transport is very poor on the small local scale in this part of the world.  

I'd really consider getting a car unless you're going to live in Bromsgrove itself, otherwise you stand to be isolated.  Things aren't all that close together in this part of the world.  

Where are you moving from?  Are you used to village living?  

Arden Estate Agents are going to be marketing the 6 houses in Marlbrook.   They're not out of the ground yet though.  There is a bus that goes into the town centre and up to Birmingham but to be reaching train stations is difficult, especially new builds.   There are massive new estates planned, but they are mainly on the outskirts of town - developers love virgin plots.  Even the old Longbridge plant is former brownfield but it is vast.  Their bus services are likely better because they're served by Birmingham buses. 

kangoora

Doozergirl said:

Falafels said:

I’ve lived in Bromsgrove for 25 years, and it’s a pleasant market town with friendly inhabitants! One of the things which really sums up Bromsgrove was that an escaped hamster made the front page of the Bromsgrove Advertiser!

Haha!  I moved from London and the local paper was a wonder to behold when we made it here.  I think a bench got stolen from somewhere.  😳

Similar here, my local paper headline news when I moved in was "Sheep rustling on the increase!"

NaughtiusMaximus

bealau said:

@Doozergirl I did notice the three tier school system now that you mention it. I do like that. And I do always hear good things about Bromsgrove and its schools. Any idea what it's like getting public transport from Barnt Green to Bromsgrove town centre? 

I've never lived in Bromsgrove myself but I have family who do.

There's a direct bus from Barnt Green to Bromsgrove, it's not very frequent ATM although that may well be a temporary reduced timetable due to COVID.
https://bustimes.org/services/145-rubery-longbridge-bromsgrove-droitwich-2

Train services are every 20 minutes and journey time is only a few minutes but the problem there is Bromsgrove station is right on the eastern edge of the town. Bromsgrove does boast a nice family friendly park, Sanders Park but it's on the west side of the town, not sure if there is a direct bus from the station to the park.

thepurplepixie

Doozergirl said:

bealau said:

@Doozergirl I did notice the three tier school system now that you mention it. I do like that. And I do always hear good things about Bromsgrove and its schools. Any idea what it's like getting public transport from Barnt Green to Bromsgrove town centre? 
Doozergirl said:

In fact, there's a smaller developer with a little  cul de sac of 6 houses about to go up next to my house.  He's not planning to release until they're built, because they're a smaller company.  

 That sounds promising. I'm not sure how to source out developments by smaller companies. What's the company name? (If you don't mind sharing). I'll keep a look out. 

Whilst the train line is fine, public transport is very poor on the small local scale in this part of the world.  

I'd really consider getting a car unless you're going to live in Bromsgrove itself, otherwise you stand to be isolated.  Things aren't all that close together in this part of the world.  

Where are you moving from?  Are you used to village living?  

Arden Estate Agents are going to be marketing the 6 houses in Marlbrook.   They're not out of the ground yet though.  There is a bus that goes into the town centre and up to Birmingham but to be reaching train stations is difficult, especially new builds.   There are massive new estates planned, but they are mainly on the outskirts of town - developers love virgin plots.  Even the old Longbridge plant is former brownfield but it is vast.  Their bus services are likely better because they're served by Birmingham buses. 

I was thinking of Marlbrook, I think it used to be the 144 into Brum but could also take you to Longbridge station or going the other way into Bromsgrove itself.  Lovely spot for a stroll on the Lickeys.

thepurplepixie

Marlbrook also used to have a bus that ran right to King Edward's Five Ways Grammar school in Brum so if bright kids who might do well in a grammar it is a good spot.