canadaelk

Shrewsbury has jumped to the top of my list of places to move to. Seems pretty good all around in the most important things: jobs, rent, weather, crime, transport etc.


Any current of former residents have advice on Shrewsbury? Neighbourhoods to avoid? Positives or negatives to be aware of?

salopian

Hi Winston,
I haven't posted on here for ages, having moved back to blighty almost 5 years ago after 20 years in Oz.
Shrewsbury is beautiful. You couldn't pick a better place to move to. There are a few 'less desirable areas' (you can tell by the house prices) but generally it's good. Go for it!!

Perth

OH (who is an American) has traced his ancestors back to Shropshire, particularly Shrewsbury and Market Drayton. We are planning an initial move back to Derbyshire, but OH wants to explore his Shropshire roots once there. Will follow this thread with interest.

PS: I remember last month or so you had a thread on living car-free. Did you find Shrewsbury to be conducive to this choice?

canadaelk

I haven't researched Shrewsbury's public transport extensively, but from what i've seen online for bus and train it seems pretty good. Plus it seems like just the right size for good transport system - a smaller town might be under served, whereas a larger town or city could be over subscribed, especially at peak hours.

But i'll have to look into it some more, especially for specific neighbourhoods.

canadaelk

Thanks, good to hear!

Lorac05

There is a poster who I believe lives in Wellington - which is very close to Shrewsbury - called Dontheturner. He doesn't post all that often now but I believe he is still an active member. Maybe you could message him and ask.

bigglesworth

Shrewsbury is a lovely town- and more affordable than most. Transport is a bit challenging - the M54 is a motorway by name only, and it can jam badly once you leave Dudley. The ring road is bizarre - who builds a ring road that is one and a half lanes wide?
Rail links South used to be terrible but I believe the connection works in Birmingham have improved it since I was there ten years ago.
If that sounds negative it is not meant to be.
Three major cities in little over an hour - Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham.
The Severn is a lovely river, and Quarry Park is magnificent. Percy Thrower used to be head gardener, and it shows.
What you also get is South Shropshire and the Black Country on your doorstep and a short hop across the marches into Wales.
Super pubs in Shrewsbury - I remember walking into one and getting partridge with game chips for the same price as a burger! An excellent covered market with an excellent fishmonger and a really good bacon and delicatessen stall (Say Hi to Melvin for me).
A decent shopping centre and out of town shops too.
It is a lovely town. You have made me feel nostalgic!

daisymoll

Shrewsbury is lovely, we lived there for a year, before coming to Canada, we loved the Bicton Heath area, I believe that part of town is more desirable than the East/North East side. Bowbrook and Radbrook also lovely.

busybee2

used to live there, lovely place.... just sold house there. so wont be going back but really no places that you should avoid it all depends on your budget....

busybee2

yes can walk its not that big a distance.. but they do have buses you know.

brits1

Hi

Shrewsbury is lovely, the river runs through it and the centre has lots of Georgian buildings as well as Timber ones. We were looking to rent last year (train direct link to Crewe where our youngest attends the Uni campus there) Copthorne is a great area and a nice walk into the centre. Your not so far from the Welsh coast and good links to both Manchester and Birmingham. We all rated it as a 9.5 lol Good luck

irishbloo

We lived and worked in Market Drayton prior to our move to Perth.It is nice but would be too small for us now with teenagers.We went to Shrewsbury weekly.It has lots of shops and cafes.My oh went back three years ago and it was a bit run down in parts but I think it has picked up since then.It has a nice feel to it and would visit it there again."Location,Location"recently had an episode on it.Would give you an idea of house prices.

Perth

Thanks for the responses. We will look forward to exploring the area. Not sure we will move there, but OH has pinned down the exact house his ancestor lived in Market Drayton (and even has a photo of it as his screen saver!), and so at least visiting there is a must. It'll be an adventure for both of us as I have not been to that neck of the woods before either.

busybee2

have had 4 houses in shrewsbury, in bowbrook, redfield and heath farm areas.