Pls Help Me Choose Between Leicester, Coventry, Worcester and Bristol to Live In?

[foreman38]

Hi, could anyone give me comments / suggestions based on this: I have decided to move with my family (3 teen children) from N. Ireland to England and these are our shortlisted places: Leicester, Coventry, Worcester and Bristol.
Keeping children in mind, our aim is to avoid the big cities while staying around and enjoy all that sort of things smaller cities may have to offer - good choice of entertainment and culture, shopping, days/nights out, handy countryside, parks; For our children we want good Schools and Univs around, low rate of crime... the usual things for a family to enjoy life safely.
I understand that the perfect place does not exist. I also have to think about housing prices (rent). I've included Bristol although I suspect housing prices are high down there. True?
I will really appreciate your generous comments and suggestions. Thank you!

[saxy_jag]

" Dont go to Leicester!!"

And what have we ever done to you, yelenots? Or should that be Stoneley? ;-)

[foreman38]

Hi there you all, I am delighted with your prompt and generous answers; fantastic. Thank you all.
VHG, you ask for more details, here they are:
JOBS: we are currently working as Care Assistants which makes things a bit easy to request a transfer - our employer are everywhere, in fact well represented in any of the listed places. However, jobwise, we'll opt for a place with good industry diversity - as a backup, since we are not "highly qualified" people.
STUDIES: we expect our children to go to Univ, to do health related courses basicly;
LISTED PLACES are (almost) all around the Midlands. Basicly because we wanted to find a mid-term between the expensive South and the North's colder weather.
ACCESSIBILITY is important also, because we want to get quick access to nice places around - using motorways - and airports, as we travel quite often.
Again, thank you so much, your help is precious!
Foreman38

[wendilla]

I live 7 miles from Lericester in a village and there are a few nice villages all around and easy access to all the main shopping centers one being fossee park. I personally would not like to live in any city .All cities has it's fair share of different cultures not only Leics.

[AB Editor]

Vibra, it closed last time I went passed - the bar that is. Who ever thought a bar within a chip shop wouldn't work?

Leicester is wonderful for food, drink and culture, but you have to be proactive to find the best bits.

As for kids and University, Leicester Uni is one of the best for medicine and DMU is a leader for Mid-wiffery. Yet, It is quite unusual for kids to stay at home when they go to Uni - they usually want to get far away enough to be independent! Just another way to think about the Uni situation.

Coventry is pretty dire from my last visit.

Ever thought about Cambridgeshire? I've heard there is a good university. And a reliable source told me it is always sunny there.

All the best

Spare Ed

[foreman38]

Im back only to say thank you everyone for your answers. Thanks to your comments we are seriously considering Worcester as our 1st choice, but still with an eye on Bristol and surroundings, 'cause people keep saying that area si really lovely.
Anyway i'm sure we will sort this out, but any new comment / consideration will be very welcome. Thank you all!

[flyingpig]

My choice would be Worcester, lovely town and surrounding area.

[pips1]

I live in Worcester too and it is nice here, when visitors come to stay and you get to show them around you see the place with new eyes!! Really good schools, a brand new University being built as we speak; a refurbishment of the one large park under the lottery fund; as well as the whole of the riverside area having a makeover, so yes - not bad at all!!

[foreman38]

I wish to thank you all, in particular VHG, who has given me very detailed information. Unfortunately he did not come back to comment on my extra details, which he requested. I am happy enough anyway, thank you again.

[CRhys]

Hey mate, I am a bit biased here seeing as I was born and raised in Worcester and I have to say it is by far the nicest city of those 4 places. Rather small, has that town feel, has low crime rates but still has it's rough areas as does any city. Either way it is a beautiful place round the city centre with a large selection of shops and if you are wanting to go shopping in a larger city then you are never too far from a bigger city (i.e. Birmingham, Bristol, Coventry, Gloucester). I also find Bristol a very nice place, but a lot bigger. However Leicester and Coventry really aren't the way to go, I have visited them both on numerous occasions and really they wouldn't be my choice of places to live.