Hi
We currently live in Cirencester, (have been here just over 11 years) but are about to relocate to Gloucester as all three DDs will be in grammars in Glos/Chelt from Sept (just waiting for a Pate's confirmation for one of my twins, but already have one at Pate's and the other got the Ribston letter today!) I work in Gloucester and my husband's business is flexible so makes sense for us to move over that way now.
I will, however, REALLY miss living in this beautiful little town. We have lived here since before the twins were born (having been in Bristol previously) and have loved every minute. My parents live round the corner from us and will stay here so we'll be back often.
99% of the town is perfectly safe, pleasant and nice to live in. We have friends all over the place and no-one is unhappy with their particular part of the town tbh. There are more desirable areas of course, but they also come with a steeper price tag. It is not a cheap place to buy in wherever you look though. Our main criteria when we bought here was being able to walk into town and to school easily.
All the primary schools are lovely. All rated good or outstanding by Ofsted (although how much sway you put on that is personal of course) There are lots of things for families to do and we have always felt part of a proper community living here.
DD1 currently gets to Pate's using a contract coach (Denwells) and there are buses to all the grammars from here so you won't struggle with transport. The journey time is roughly 40mins - 1 hour. DD1 doesn't mind the bus as she has friends in her year to do the journey with, but is looking forward to being closer to school next year to be honest which is part of the reason for our move.
Ironically, we moved here initially because we thought we would be moving somewhere where both the local secondary schools are great and the grammar school question would never raise its head. However, DD1 set her heart on Pate's from the moment she set foot in the door in Year 5 on an Open Evening and - of course - her twin sisters were always going to try and emulate their heroine! However, both Deer Park and Kingshill are EXCELLENT schools and do lots of outreach work with DDs school and other local primaries.
We are about to put our 4 bed house which is walking distance to both Deer Park and Kingshill and the lovely primary all our three girls have all gone through on the market if you want to buy it?!!
Please feel free to DM me if you have any specific questions and good luck with your move