If you’re looking for somewhere new to move to in the UK, there are multiple reasons for taking a closer look at the medieval cathedral city of Salisbury in Wiltshire, dating back to 1227 and located just nine miles south of prehistoric Stonehenge. Or if you’re looking at a work-based relocation, a treat of a town awaits!
What makes Salisbury so great?
Actually, it’s quite tricky to know where to start when answering that question. After all, it was previously named by the Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide as the top UK location in which to reside. More recently, the Telegraph ranked it sixth amongst Britian’s top 20 small cities.
The reasons behind such accolades are not hard to understand, and include:
. Outstanding heritage and culture: Salisbury is soaked in history, and home to England’s tallest cathedral spire plus one of just four original copies of the Magna Carta. Its vibrant cultural scene incorporates Salisbury Playhouse plus a couple of international arts festivals. Medieval properties are part of the city centre’s fabric, with the mighty Salisbury Cathedral towering over everything.
. Superb transport links: Most trains to the capital go into and depart from London Waterloo, with typical journey times between an hour and 20 and 40 minutes. And with nearly 40 daily services, travelling there for a day’s work is certainly doable. Direct rail journeys to Basingstoke take 34 to 41 minutes, while there are also connections to Bristol, Exeter and Southampton. Plus there’s a reliable local bus network. Roads sometimes experience high volumes of traffic, but they’re maintained to a high standard – Wiltshire County Council recently received a ‘green’ rating for highway maintenance. A number of airports, such as Southampton, Bournemouth, Bristol and Heathrow, are also accessible.
· Quality of life: This is high in Salisbury by any standards, with a twice-weekly market, cosy pubs and numerous unique independent shops plus great local restaurants, many of which are family-run and award-winning. The surrounding rolling countryside presents some superb walking and cycling whenever you want to escape town and get out into the fresh air. Not only that, but crime rates here are 14% below the national average.
· Education and employment: Salisbury has two grammar schools which regularly feature among the best performing in England. Beyond those, you’ll find a good range of state and independent schools. Meanwhile there’s a strong and diverse jobs market here, with opportunities across sectors including healthcare, defence, tourism, retail and more. Plus there are low unemployment rates and a robust local economy.
· Housing: You’ll find many different housing types across the city, whether you’re after a modern flat, a cosy terrace or a period property. Outlying areas and village offer plenty of choice, too. And while prices in the city centre can be high, there is good value to be found compared to some areas.
In short, this is somewhere which appeals to those of all ages who are looking for a calm, balanced area in which to live, without any of the intensity of a larger location.
How to make your relocation to Salisbury go smoothly
1.) Research neighbourhoods
Research and visit different parts of the city and its surroundings to see which area would best suit your household. Harnham, for example, south of the centre, is a sought-after district among families. Bishopdown, to the north-east, has modern housing and good local facilities, while Laverstock, on Salisbury’s outskirts, has a village feel. Try and spend time in different areas to get a feel for the character of each district.
2.) Visit schools
If you’ll need schools following your relocation, make appointments to visit some as soon as you can.
3.) Practicalities
As when moving anywhere, relocating to Salisbury requires working through quite a long list, including setting up new utilities and doing final meter readings, registering to vote, for your Council Tax and with a local GP and dentist. You’ll also need to update your address with everyone with whom you deal regularly. Meanwhile, Royal Mail has a postal redirection service.
4.) Book your removals firm
Do this early on, ideally four to six weeks ahead of your move, especially in the popular moving seasons, i.e. spring and summer. Factor in access to your new home, any relevant parking restrictions and the building’s age and layout, especially if you are relocating to an older, city-centre place. In residential streets near the cathedral, your move could need a bit more planning.
Inform your contents insurance provider of your moving date. Ask about what does (and what doesn’t) have insurance cover during the move, since you may have to get extra cover from the insurance company or your removals firm.
Relocate to Salisbury with Carter & May
The right estate agent will make a huge difference to any relocation by providing a realistic evaluation, professional marketing and proactively sourcing potential buyers. In short, they protect your position, minimise stress and make your move faster and more efficient.
Based in the centre of Salisbury while covering surrounding areas, we at Carter & May are award-winning, independent local estate agents. And we adore our part of the world! If you’re relocating, whatever the reason, talk to us – we can help whether you’re buying or renting in the first instance. (We also do sales and lets.) With our detailed, extensive local experience, we’re ideally placed to discuss your relocation.
Browse our properties and get in touch to discuss your next move.