So it looks Leamington Spa is the location of choice for work. Anyone here from that neck of the woods? Do you have any advice on good bits, not-so-good bits, things to consider when moving there, schools etc. please? Mini is a year off secondary and the main school all seem to have good OFSTED ratings etc. Range of shops, Leamington vs Warwick vs surrounding villages for living?

- all help, thoughts, comments gratefully received! Thanks � ����

Oh, no - I wrote out a long reply and lost it all!

You can’t go wrong with these towns, both solidly middle class although the best shopping and dining is in Leamington Spa which is a larger town. Many students attending the University of Warwick (actually located in Coventry) live in Leamington Spa in term time. I understand that it’s not quite as pleasant though around the train station vicinity.

I don’t have time to write out my original reply to you all over again....not sure what appeals to you, a quiet place, living in the countryside or somewhere with a bit of life and public transport options? Tip: go to Google.co.uk and type in “Mumsnet Forum + Leamington Spa and Warwick”. You will find lots of tips and ideas.....eg. Some posters have suggested anyone considering those towns to also look at Kenilworth and Alcester (which is closer to Stratford Upon Avon) and pronounced almost like Ulster.

thanks you so much Englishmum , even if your original response was lost, I appreciate your reply, I lived in Leamington many years ago but up to date knowledge is much appreciated. I will check out the mumsnet forum as you suggest. We are looking for good high schools (child is 9 so a year off secondary) which Leam seems to have. Safe and not too noisy, close-ish to shops etc. I may be commuting into Birmingham so close to the station ideally. Must haves are really a large garden so central Leam is likely out!

Thanks petitefrancaise will check out Sotham, I know Southampton Collage is supposed to be a good school, sounds lovely. I can’t compete with your ‘Bridge’ name tho!

Southam college not Southampton!

Ah, Leamington Spa! I lived in the area (Warwick, Leamington and then about a mile away from Harbury) for years and years. Eleven years in all, to be precise. Warwick is a lovely town, lots to explore and of course the fantastic castle. I went to secondary school in Leamington Spa and then stayed on for a year or two before moving to Plymouth and then Exeter, and then to the states in 2005.

Anyway, gosh, what a nice area. Lots of possibilities for days out (Stratford is brilliant in a multitude of ways, for example) and lots of little peripheral towns in which to live—lots of houses with big gardens to choose from if you live out there.

Have a wonderful time settling in. I still need to show my husband and kiddos around the area, and that is something we’ll do after we move back to the U.K. this summer, no doubt. Best of luck to you! 😊

Thanks PrairieWriter good luck with your move too!

Thanks tiredtony

How did you ship your stuff from Calgary to Leamington Spa?

we have t moved yet. Still looking at options.

Ok. In the process of moving as well. Please fill me in I am looking at options too. I am not to Leamington Spa but Rugby in Warwickshire .

Good luck with your move Elnino05 . Rugby’s about 20 mins drive from Leamington if I remember correctly.

Options are full service move where a company packs everything, ships it then unpacks everything (most expensive), to leaving everything behind and just traveling with what you can take on a plane. You can also pack everything yourself then get a moving company to ship your belongings. Just depends on how much you have to move, whether it’s boxes and/ or furniture, and how much you (or your new employer) want to pay. If you chose to pack yourself, check what insurance coverage you have as, in my experience, moving companies will only give you insurance for damage / breakages if they pack everything. Does that help?