Hi, we are thinking of moving to Weston from London. Would appreciate any feedback from others who have done so and any tips on best areas to live in Weston etc. Many thanks

By clareandnick at 14:22 on 06/03/11

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YOur email caught my eye - dont is my answer and I hope it is not too late. Weston is grim - drug problems, no -go areas, alcohol exclusion zones. If the house is cheap, then that is for a reason honest ! Many lovely places before you reach Weston - Bristol has had a huge investment and is worth a look. Bath also, or you could always consider Somerset.

If you really are thinking about it, then book a weekend at one of the seafront hotels, and walk around late one night. YOu should also consider that it is still a holiday destination for coach loads from nearby cities, so whilst you might admire the mud banks hidden by the golden sands, think of the en-masse tourists and traffic congestion that lasts throughout July and August.

If still interested, then Worle (just outside of Weston) is a better area and has its own high street. Avoid a new housing development just outside weston on the by-pass as it is a haven for car crime and houses dont sell there (but you might be able to buy cheap and perhaps stick to buses)

Hope that helps.

By afsomerset at 00:50 on 07/03/11
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I could not disagree more. Weston has its problems as does every town up and down the country. But we have a lovely new seafront, a nice pier, beach and some really nice housing areas. Yes there are some areas to avoid but is that the same everywhere?
I live in Worle and there are lovely houses here and some great schools and parks for children. We also have the prospect of the new Tropicana swimming pool with ice skating and bowling being built on the seafront, which will be great when finished. Then there is the new Dolphin square development which will see new hotel and cinema and top shops built in the area.
If you have kids then there are plenty of things to do with Puxton Park, Animal Farm Court Farm and Noah's Ark all on the doorstep. Weston's shops are not that great but then you have the Mall and Cribbs Causeway and Bristol city centre 25-30 mins away. Come and see it for yourself!

By vickifitz at 11:47 on 07/03/11
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Hi clareandnick, I agree with vickifitz. Yes weston has bad areas but there are many good points to Weston too. The pace of life is a lot slower than London, which I see as a good thing. People are generally friendly, Weston has many good standard of restaurants including Greek, Japanese, French, Itallian and Indian. I live in Worlebury which is a nice area about a 5 min drive form town, I take my dog for walks every day either in the woods which on our doorstep or over the road past fields of horses - I consider myself lucky to have such a nice scenery with fresh air and peace and quiet at my disposal. It all depends what you want from life really? Bristol is only down the road and as a major city has everything you may need or want in terms of nights out, shopping etc. I have just returned from a weekend in London visiting friends, our friends would never live in Weston as they love city life but I have visited many towns around the country and Weston is not bad compared to most. Weston is on the up! :-)

By Sweat.FA at 12:37 on 07/03/11
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this might be of interest - http://tinyurl.com/4n3xyh4

By charhair at 12:50 on 07/03/11
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We moved to Weston 5 years ago and couldn't be happier, o.k. certain parts could do with cleaning up but on the whole we love it, the pace of life might take some getting used to as it is a much more relaxed part of the country, no more rat race,and mad rushing around all the time,we have found people a lot friendlier here and people have time to talk to you ,no suspicious looks if you happen to smile at someone(as you get in London)just a smile back. We have had reason to need the hospital, and have had excellent help and care from there, you will have no trouble to get registered with a dentist or doctors there are plenty around dont know what age you are (we retired here) but if you need schools there seem to be plenty around and most had good results by what gets reported in the local paper. Gosh l sound like an advert for Weston don't l but can only say as we have found.

By jillab at 23:34 on 09/03/11
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I have lived in Weston and or worle for all of my life ( 43 years) I have seen lots of changes, not all good, for example in my opinion there have been too many houses built in large housing estates on land that was a vast playland to children,where I would play all day in the fields, fishing in the ditches, bringing home tadpoles, minnows and sticklebacks, whilst I digress, these areas are now heavily built in small spaces with no privacy, in addition, there is an issue with those wishing to commuite to Bristol or other areas via the motorway, it can take as long as half an hour to enter the motorway in the peak morning rush. Having said that I love weston, I have visited and stayed in many other seaside areas over the years, yes there are areas that have problems but much is being done to prevent problems, I dont feel that the drug issue is particularly bad, no more than any area. Teenagresa re generally well behaved and there are great facilities for education from pre to college, there are universitites nearby. The council has promised the Tropicana for years, I used it as a teenager and it was great, my 14 & 16 year old daughters used to go there when small the pool was closed but there was a large play area, they cannot remember this and always ask what the Tropicana is! However, there is plenty of interest in deleloping the area, the seafront is great, now its bee improved and the pier has always been an attraction, we have T4, motorbikes and helidays, the fab winter carnival, the Bath & West show is also a visitor to surrounding areas yearly, plenty of eateries, nice and varied, there are so many accessable places to go to in surrounding areas, walks across the Quantocks, the woods, Sandbay & Point, Woodspring Priory, and Castle Batch a protected Motte ruins and earthworks from medievil times. The people are friendly, there is always work and there are lovely areas to live within and on the outskirts of Weston. generally I have alwyas found it a good place to live to visit other places! Wales is beautiful and a Sunday day out is not a hassle to visit. I dont want to move it is my roots, relaxed, friendly, with lots to do and a history mentioned in the doomsday book!!! Yes, I think Ive finished!!!!

By joolya63 at 10:59 on 10/03/11
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Looks like 2011 is Weston's year. New Pier, new seafront. Building huge in door ski slope and adventure centre. Now re-graded to a grade 2 town. All they need to do now is build an extra motorway junction so that all can get in and out.

By Andyweston at 22:52 on 30/07/11
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Hi everyone, Many thanks for your replies. That is great news to hear about the make over that Weston is having. Would anyone be able to tell me what things are like on the job front. I work in the care sector including learning disabilities, elderly, mental health etc. Is there much work going at the moment.? Many thanks

By clareandnick at 17:35 on 01/08/11
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There is a lady on this site who could assist with your jjob hunting see

http://tinyurl.com/3jgco47

By vickifitz at 12:28 on 08/08/11
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If you are serious and want to ensure your move goes smoothly I may be able to offer some assistance.
I can meet to discuss your property requirements, look at local schooling if appropriate, consider leisure activities and provide information about jobs locally.
A fixed fee service - second to none.
I'll do the donkey work and you reap the benefits without the endless trips, huge expence of petrol, travel & hotels.
For more information: contacttoday@btinternet.com

By walkernigel at 17:02 on 16/11/11
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Hi, Just seen your post, I moved here in march this year , from london, with my 5 yr old daughter, and love it. No regrets, pace of life slower, people friendly, and loads to do for children.

By ceu41 at 22:43 on 19/11/11
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Hi many thanks for the replies. I have noticed there is both postive and negative comments. We are still quite undecided about what to do as we are quite keen on bognor in Sussex as well. Though what we have seen of weson is positive, We especially like the worlebury area, though ideally would like to be nearer to the sea than this. Whats the job front down like there at the moment. I work in the care sector and things are quite bad up here near London. I know that you have a large hospital in Weston, does it have quite a good name. We will just be glad to get away from the hectic life up in London. Would appreciate any advise. Many thanks

By clareandnick at 06:46 on 20/11/11
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i'e also been looking for work, and noticed that the local newspaper (weston worle and sommerset mercury) has numerous positions in the care sector for all the residential homes in the area, which sadly is not my field!

By ceu41 at 20:59 on 20/11/11
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