[kayfaz]

I have been offered a really good management job with about 40% increase in salary!

But the condition is that I move to The Valleys in Wales - about 15miles north of Cardiff.

I've tried researching the area online and I see a lot of negative things, poverty, crime rate etc etc...

So last weekend I made a day trip to the valleys with the other half and seemed like a beautiful place, windy roads, extremely cheap housing (compared to London and Reading) and a fairly relaxed pace of life (which is a good thing IMO).

Are there any members from the area (or have lived there previously) that can give me some insights on the area, in particular Caerphilly and Merthyr Tydfil.

[hmi1750]

I have sent you a direct message.

[gangzoom]

My in-laws live around there, we visit every few months and stay for a few days, some beautifully roads, people seem friendly enough, you do have to pay 5p for carrier bags though

But than again am not a big city person, given the choices between somewhere like inner London or outskirts of Cardiff, I would pick the latter every time.

[briers]

I honestly don't know anything about that area. For me I know I would go crazy if I wasn't near (at least) a fairly big city.

I have been to mid wales and it's beautiful but I could only stomach a week or so. There is literally nothing there and the towns are very poor. There is literally only 1 or 2 employment opportunities.

Not saying where you are moving to is like this but just consider the future.

Kids, schools, people, surrounding area, house appreciation. Think about the long game. Is this move worth 40% more salary. How about offsetting the yearly increase against the house prices appreciation.

Seriously consider it. No offence to anyone who lives there, again I don't know the area but I've had friends who got offered opportunities like this but in places like Australia or Dubai. I think these are more like big cash prizes for the short term.

As it transpires our friends are now settled in Perth. So think about wether you want to settle in valleys.

[chrisbin]

Sorry, not been around here for a while.

Cardiff resident here, working in "The Valleys"!!

You seem to have got the right idea about the area from your visit.

As far as "being near a large city goes"....I honestly believe that Cardiff will give you everything you could need. The big advantage it also has is that it is very compact meaning that its pretty easy to get in and out of. I worked for many years in Bristol and while it offered nothing that Cardiff didnt have (apart from the Zoo) I could commute quicker from Cardiff than colleagues who lived in Bristol!!!

Having said all this Caerphilly and Merthyr have more than their fair share of less desirable areas to live so tread carefully!

Feel free to pm if you want some specific advice!

[rhysh1990]

Come to the dark side! Haha 😊

[nicktyler]

Originally Posted by rhysh1990

Come to the dark side! Haha 😊

They don't call them the Black Mountains for nothing.

[SteveC]

Last year my Daughter moved from Newcastle to London.

She just bought an apartment for 3 x the money it would have cost in Newcastle. She drives a nice sports car but now plans to sell it as "there are few roads without restrictions and they are usually very crowded, so its not really worth keeping".....so you could focus on the negatives

Instead she and her husband get around mainly on public transport and thoroughly enjoy other activities like theatres, museums, restaurants, music etc.

The point is, if you live in Wales you have to enjoy the good things life there has to offer like driving along quiet country lanes, hiking in the countryside and other typical country pursuits. If Wales is anything like the North East there are plenty of lovely places to live and nice yet affordable houses to buy and of course plenty of areas to avoid, so you do need to engage some local knowledge.

[alexjj67]

I live in the Caerphilly area. Any questions you would like to ask fire away. Or PM me.

[SO8]

Open roads, cheap housing, lovely scenery and a 40% pay increase ... what is not to like !

[Desmondo]

Welsh people?

[gIzzE]

Originally Posted by alexjj67

I live in the Caerphilly area. Any questions you would like to ask fire away. Or PM me.

OK.

Do you all really shag sheep?

Can you understand each other when talking?

[Leah1]

No we don't sheep shag, but tell me are English really that arrogant

The valleys is one of them places that is made out to be something unit isn't!
I live about 40 miles away but been there a few times, yes it has it's problems lack of work being the big one, but if your coming from a city then it's not going to be an issue for you, pick a nice house and you be fine!

[gIzzE]

Originally Posted by Leah1

No we don't sheep shag, but tell me are English really that arrogant

The word you're looking for is 'ignorant'.

[alexjj67]

Originally Posted by gIzzE

OK.

Do you all really shag sheep?

Can you understand each other when talking?

Yes mate the sheep shagging is true. In the past it was Incest but we relocated all of those guys to Norfolk.

If its Welsh you mean. Then no I have no idea what they are on about.

[Marshall878]

Originally Posted by alexjj67

Yes mate the sheep shagging is true. In the past it was Incest but we relocated all of those guys to Norfolk.

Haha!!

[gIzzE]

Originally Posted by alexjj67

Yes mate the sheep shagging is true. In the past it was Incest but we relocated all of those guys to Norfolk.

High Six!!! as Alzieboy would say.

Originally Posted by alexjj67

If its Welsh you mean. Then no I have no idea what they are on about.

Is it a generation thing? Or location?
In respect to those that still speak Welsh.

[chrisbin]

Originally Posted by gIzzE

High Six!!! as Alzieboy would say.



Is it a generation thing? Or location?
In respect to those that still speak Welsh.

gIzzE you stirrer!!

Serious answer with regard to Welsh speakers.

In the South of Wales the only people you will find speaking Welsh are trendy media loveys who make sure they speak loud enough for everyone to hear...

South West Wales (Pembrokeshire etc) then the older generation farming types often regard it as their first language.

North Wales (Snowdonia etc) is the only real area of the country where there are communities of Welsh speakers.

As you will know, all our signage and documentation is legally required to be in both languages - ridiculous added cost.

Welsh speaking schools have been reasonably popular for the simple reason that standards were quite high, mainly I suspect because most children were there because their parents chose to send them there and therefore made sure they put the effort in, and so the circle continues...

(All the above is only my personal opinion of course)

Going back to the original post, Cardiff and its surroundings are a great place to live. The city has all the facilities you could wish for, while still being reasonably compact, meaning that it is still pretty easy to get in or out. Well, apart from at the moment due to the "Ring of Steel" thats being imposed on us as a result of the forthcoming Nato summit....but thats another story

[gIzzE]

Cheers mate, interesting.

The High Six was as Alzieboy is also from Norfolk, and most of the Norfolk'ians are inbred mother fuckers, it was not aimed at the Welsh.

[alzieboy]

Please Note

Alzieboy is NOT from Norfolk but from East London , where he returns to at the slightest opportunity much to the dismay of his Wife !!

[gIzzE]

I'm not from Norfolk either mate.

From Leicester originally, however, have to admit I don't return there at the first opportunity.

[dy63]

download the MTV show the Valleys and get a feel for what they people are like from there.

The girls are

I think 40% pay increase is not enough considering your moving to a totally different area and buying new house meeting new people its like a whole new life

double the pay i probably would consider but lets say you earn 25k a year you will only get an extra 10k a yr moving to the Valleys

is it really worth it? maybe your pay isnt what i said in figures but you get my drift