Relocation to Herefordshire

But if you live in a small town surely you’d realise that buses would be hourly at best kjmpde? The example I gave of Ledbury has 21 trains day to Hereford, as well as buses.

Per day, sorry.

Herefordshire is a lovely place to live compared to big city life. But the shops aren't great, being mostly rural you need a car as transport in outlying villages is very poor. The potholes in the roads have been judged as some of the worst in the country and depending which side of Hereford you live the traffic is a problem. The local hospital was in special measures (not sure if that's still the case) but definitely rated as one of the worst in the country according to The Telegraph a few weeks ago.
Having said all of that it is still a bit of a rural idyll in places and there are some lovely villages around but why not stay there for a few weeks to get a real feel for the place before taking such a big decision. Yorkshire is a lovely place and the natives are much friendlier!

I live in Salisbury and many buses don't run of a weekend.. Salisbury is not a small town but is a city similar to Hereford in size. Some buses run every2 hours..Ringwood is near Bournemouth and has one service which runs just 4 times a day and stops by 3pm. No Sunday or evening services. Remember bus routes change and cease. Hampshire council is no longer subsiding certain bus routes so people have to use taxis.

For 'spabbygirl', and that "Cirencester, it's in Gloucestershire, quiet and safe and near Hereford" of yours?!!
I'm not sure what your understanding is re "near", but to everyone but you, and perhaps residents of the Australian Outback (where paramedics come by air!), Cirencester is most certainly NOT REMOTELY 'near' Hereford!

Both are nice places, and the OP could likely be quite happy in them, but Cirencester is vastly dearer than Hereford. It also - as someone else observed - has no trains, whereas Hereford connects to Shrewsbury, Cardiff, and Brum (maybe others too!).

My aunt relocated to Hereford and liked it very much. I have visited and found lovely countryside and an interesting town. As far as I know she found the medical services there good.

DrWatson

For 'spabbygirl', and that "Cirencester, it's in Gloucestershire, quiet and safe and near Hereford" of yours?!!
I'm not sure what your understanding is re "near", but to everyone but you, and perhaps residents of the Australian Outback (where paramedics come by air!), Cirencester is most certainly NOT REMOTELY 'near' Hereford!

Both are nice places, and the OP could likely be quite happy in them, but Cirencester is vastly dearer than Hereford. It also - as someone else observed - has no trains, whereas Hereford connects to Shrewsbury, Cardiff, and Brum (maybe others too!).

😀
I suppose as the crow flies it's only 50 miles? from Cirencester to Hereford but it probably takes quite a long time.

As far as the Australian Outback is concerned it's probably the next door neighbour 😁

Ps I'd choose Hereford! Cirencester is in a lovely area too but yes, more expensive because it's a desired location for Londoners escaping to the countryside.

Woe betide anyone who might try to move me from Herefordshire - my paradise, my happy place, my home.

Thriving villages, fabulous scenery, cathedral city with international music festival, proximity to Cardiff, Bristol, Birmingham.

Check out the view before me as I write ........

Not to mention the Black Mountains and the Malverns nearby ....

And Mappa Mundi!!

I live on the three counties border, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and Herefordshire. House prices on the Herefordshire side of the Malvern hills are definitely cheaper but unless you live near a station ( ledbury, Colwall etc) transport is limited and tbh the roads are dire. Not impressed with Hereford hospital either. Gloucestershire is expensive if in the Cheltenham/ Cotswolds area. South Worcestershire has some lovely villages but transport can be an issue. I live in a beautiful place but I have no local transport and no local shops within easy walking distance.

Perhaps not having good transport links could be part of its attraction for anyone who might want a slower pace of life. It's not going to end up as a dormitory area for those working in the cities.

Public transport is poor in all rural areas and potholes are ubiquitous.
But you can opt for a rural market town with more facilities and transport on the doorstep.
I have opted to live in a tiny village because I love the peace and am happy to pay the price in poor transport.

Bus service doesn't bother me. For what I will need regarding local town centre, I will walk down and then take taxi back if I have any food shop to carry. Nowhere else for me to want to travel to, really. If I go on holiday, it will be a coach holiday. I have always wanted to travel that way. I prefer walking with dog in countryside setting. Otherwise, I will keep busy at home. Lots of fabric and yarn to play about with.

... plus - I like baking.

There are a lot of chicken farms in Herefordshire and the River Wye, unfortunately, is polluted now with run-off so be careful if your dog is a swimmer.

Echoing Casdon's post it is very easy to find the exact vicinity of local bus stops/routes, train stations, & their routes. You can also find the exact whereabouts of larger shops, hospitals & schools.
They can be found on Google maps, it's easy to use & one can zoom into areas for a more detailed view. It's an invaluable tool for researching a move to an unfamiliar area that you fancy.😊

We're next door to Herefordshire in beautiful Shropshire. I'd definitely recommend it though maybe I'm biased as I've been here for 63 of my 67 years. Like Herefordshire, it's very unspoilt, has very few visitors and lots of very stunning scenery, National Trust properties and interesting small towns as well as our charming county town of Shrewsbury. Rail links are very good- Manchester, Birmingham, London, South Wales etc. Have a look, I think it's got more going for it than Herefordshire which we drive through when going south. It does look pretty but I wouldn't move there from Shropshire!

And there's Labels near Ross!!

Another Labels fan!
I don't think the comment that Yorkshire natives are much friendlier is fair to Hereford (grew up on worc /herefs border & still have masses of family there). When we've been on holiday in yorkshire the locals certainly are friendly, but in my experience, so are Herefordshire folk. I've lived in the SW & London mostly since, & find them much more "cliquey" than Herefordshire (and it's stunning)

Thanks, Allira. Same here in North Yorks set between the Moors and the Dales on the flat areas by major roadways - chicken farms springing up everywhere. Awful smell when traps are opened. Bird flu control zone also, and vets issuing serious warnings. River water has been polluted for years. No fish or wildlife. Horrendous stories of dogs going into rivers/becks and owners ending up with huge vet bills. Not much of a bus service, although there appears to be good train service. I think my needs really are down to the most basic... supermarkets, at least within 15 mile radius. I dont like large cities and the thought of being too near Birmingham would be worrying. BTW. My little dog has now gone to wait for me at the Rainbow Bridge, so I am looking for holiday let between the Bank Holidays. Thanks all for responses. Very much appreciated.

I don't mean to offend but please bear in mind will your daughter want to move again? I hear of so many people who move to be near family then said family member gets promoted, or moves house again for some reason. It's just moving is expensive, also it's harder to begin again in a new area as you get older. Plus all the other considerations like health services, amenities and public transport should you be unable to drive in later life.

I don't mean to offend but please bear in mind will your daughter want to move again? I hear of so many people who move to be near family then said family member gets promoted, or moves house again for some reason

Yes, that's a very good point.

The reason I am moving from North Yorks is that I came here for DD and now she is going "down south". Bless. I lived and worked in Glos area in my younger days, and visited Herefordshire/Worcestershire over time. Hopefully, I find something in my budget. I don't know Shropshire, only by reputation. Perhaps a little too near Brum for me. As mentioned in private messages. I am looking for a community of my age group. I don't want to be isolated. It is bad enough getting older without having a family or friends locally.