Hi everyone , would love some advice from those who live in Shrewsbury, I've been there to shop but don't know it very well & I'd like to know peoples oninions on...
Which is the better place to live if you're a 25 year old mum of 3 young children (age 4, 3 & 3 months) ???
Just can't make the decision is drivin me nuts!
I grew up in a town in mid wales (newtown) it was ok till I reached my early teens when there really was absoloutly nothing to do other than hang around the streets with my friends.
I got out sharpish when I was 18 to Bristol which I loved, but when we had our 2nd child we moved up to Ludlow to be nearer family & away from crime - major mistake, have never never been so bored, you need a load of money to do anything round here if only for the petrol to get about.
So, we've been looking at Shrewsbury because it's the next nearest biggest town, but I'm wondering if it's just a larger version of Ludlow... I love Bristol there's SO much to do of all sorts, but it's not my home town & it's so big so in a way I'd worry about my kids growing up there, Shrewsbury seems a good comromise...but having read a few posts here I'm worried we may be jumping out of the frying pan & in to Shrewsbury lol, can anybody offer any advice?!!!!
I'm not a theatre person but I do love taking the sprogs around museums, (not really art but other types such as childrens, nature history etc) big parks are good, and indoor parks for the winter, places they can ride their bikes, days out, clubs eg trampolining, horse riding, gymnastics, toddler groups, farms, places for eating out with the kids......I'd like to start college next year.... is there stuff like this in Shrewsbury? Thanks everyone! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Compared with Bristol I would suggest that Shrewsbury is quite similar to Ludlow, though obviously bigger with more shops and activities. Quality of life is better in Shrewsbury than in Bristol I reckon, though make sure you live in one of the better parts of town. Not sure about schools in Ludlow, but I can say that schools in Shrewsbury (other than the private ones) are "average" and none of the secondary schools here is particularly good. As for things to do - there is much to do in town and of course Telford, Birmingham, Chester and Manchester are all within a decent direct train journey away.

No doubt others with have other views. But overall I think most will agree that when bringing up children Shrewsbury is a better place than most cities, including Bristol. There is less crime, though obviously there is some. Probably a bit more than Ludlow but a lot less than Bristol.

Whether Shrewsbury on the whole is any better than Ludlow - not sure. You'll have to weigh up the schools, cost of housing etc.

Hi Sacha! Welcome to the forum! I have had several case studies from Bristol. Cant go into too much depth. I can tell you that Shrewsbury or even Ludlow hold more at the moment for a safer upbringing for your children. Shrewsburys population is about seven times greater than Ludlow. The quality of life is indeed better in my opinion in Shrewsbury or in Ludlow than Bristol which is an Old City which is known in social service circles for excessive inbreeding which dates back to medieval times and is still prevalent. Regarding activities, Shrewsbury I think has more to offer than Ludlow but can offer everything you put in your post. Education again is like any big town and Shrewsbury offers adequate services here.

I'd go along with Proud Salopian there. Both towns have fine castles, leisure facilities and pubs. Shrewsbury is a lot bigger,of course, and can support night sports like Liquid, Diva and The Buttermarket, two cinemas and The Music Hall. Telford, Wolverhampton, Birmingham and Chester are within easy reach. Ludlow is a lovely place to visit but I prefer living in Shrewsbury.

[COLOR=purple][SIZE=7][FONT=Times][QUOTE]Bristol which is an Old City which is known in social service circles for excessive inbreeding which dates back to medieval times and is still prevalent

Ha ha, Andy is this true? Cos I lived in south Bristol for 3 years & always used to joke that there was something in the water there, cos a really high proportion of ppl there are short and, well, thick actually! (sorry!) My hubby is from south Bristol so am off to google this so's I can tease him when I see him tonight hahah ;) As for housing in Shrewsbury I'll be swapping my council house here for one there so probably won't be in a 'good' area (am currently looking at a house on Heathgates roundabout!) but to be honest, having lived in a very 'rough' area of Bristol for 3 years it really doesn't seem too bad to me!

Hi Sacha; I lived in Shirehampton and Knowle for four years - not the bad part of Knowle, but just up the hill from Temple Meads and in a fairly nice area.

On balance, you'll find Shrewsbury generally outdoes Bristol in quality of life stakes, with the exception perhaps of Clifton (assuming you were ever rich enough to do anything more than hang out on Whiteladies Road sometimes, like me!). The only thing I miss is a shopping mall the size of the one up Cribbs Causeway.

I'd go along with the old codger on Shrewsbury vs. Ludlow - the former is a larger version of the latter, so if you want facilities while preserving the Shropshire quality of life then Shrewsbury should be the winner. As your kids grow they'll find more here than they would down in south Shropshire, too.

Hello, thanks everyone for your replies. My aunty lives un that part of knowle, isn't it Upper Knowle, by Broadwalk... I really miss the shopping too!
I've been offered a house in Monkmoor, Abbots Road, Shrewsbury...