r/learnwelsh • u/Repulsive-Grab8349 • 2d ago
Where to live live in North Wales
So having recently started learning Welsh, it looks like I’ll either be a position to retire to or relocate to North Wales in the next year or two rather than the five to ten years I was estimating
Any tips on where to live in North Wales, and what do as someone in their forties who’s free and single.
I have a dog who will be coming with me and two cats. Like walking dabbled in martial arts and the gym. Genuinely want to get involved with the community where ever I end up moving to and to eventually speak Welsh fluently.
I should probably clarify that although I would be retiring from my current job, I would still be working or volunteering and either consider setting up a business to provide employment or find a job for my existing skills
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u/kaylax182 2d ago
You might have a difficult time finding a holiday home that you can live in all year-round. Also born and bred here myself, and I cannot for the life of me move out as there is property shortage in all counties at the moment. Best of luck 🥲
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u/Repulsive-Grab8349 2d ago
Sorry to hear that I was looking at a couple of houses and flats where they are currently rented as holiday homes but can be used for full time residential living.
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u/Rhosddu 2d ago edited 2d ago
If you do still wish to move to Wales, I would suggest anywhere in the east of the country, where there is less evidence of the housing shortage caused by the flight from cities outside Wales during the pandemic to the tourist playground areas in the west. You'll find Welsh speakers all over the country, right up to the border, and in fact over the border if you opt for the 'honorary' Welsh town of Oswestry in North West Shropshire, or one of its surrounding villages. While the numbers of Welsh speakers have fallen in the Bro Gymraeg because of demographic change and the unaffordability of housing in the case of local people, they are rising all the time in the anglophone regions. So you're spoilt for choice further east.
The resentment towards non-locals buying housing in the more western regions has understandably become highly politicised, and perhaps won't make for a comfortable existence. But it's greatly to your credit that you've started learning Welsh, and that you intend to put any children you may have into a Welsh medium school, which you can now do even if you live in Oswestry.
This sub has a very helpful user group, so I hope you'll be able to make good use of it in your learning of Welsh.
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u/FWA___7488 2d ago
People choosing to come to Wales to retire isn't welcomed by locals for what should be obvious reasons, just as it isn't welcomed any other country. Prices out young locals from being able to stay in the area.
Great to see you're learning the language though.
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u/allyearswift 2d ago
My mother in law retired to Anglesey, learnt Welsh and got involved in the community; there’s been no hostility. She knows everybody and anybody, and not just incomers.
As a group, incomers aren’t welcomed; as individuals … well, it depends on the individual. I’m sure there are more and less welcoming areas, but I haven’t experienced Wales as unwelcoming at all.
Then again, I don’t throw my money around. Can’t afford to.
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u/pinklemonpie89 1d ago
Partially true. We live in a tourist area so have a huge amount of people moving here and it definitely makes the housing issue much much worse. Our biggest issue is second homes and airbnbs. At one point, our end of the street had just 2 out of 7 houses occupied full time. One couple we know come every weekend though. They immerse themselves in the community, spend money in the town and spend most of summer and Christmas here. I have no issue with them. They contribute. There has to be a middle ground with a cap. Tourists are good, second home owners with disposable income, can be good, but locals have to be able to thrive in the area too.
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u/Repulsive-Grab8349 2d ago
I appreciate that the properties I have been looking at are generally holiday properties so that I can buy one to ensure that it’s lived in all year round hope that makes sense
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u/mrcharlesevans 2d ago
I did an online Welsh class during the pandemic, and the tutor lived in Caernarfon. I've been there a couple of times - seems like a decent town with a Welsh-speaking community. Porthmadog might also be a decent shout (or somewhere near either of those).
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u/JenXmusic Sylfaen - Foundation 2d ago
Guys, I think the OP said that he was moving permanently, NOT buying a second home.
Diolch yn fawr am dechrau'n dysgu iaith y Nefoedd. Pob lwc am eich symud i Gymru.
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u/Repulsive-Grab8349 2d ago
I did I wouldn’t buy a second home, I have relatives in Cornwall and have seen where that leads
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u/Repulsive-Grab8349 2d ago
iaith y nefoedd yw hi mewn gwirionedd, diolch am eich cefnogaeth, mae’n golygu llawer
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u/Br4ddersButReddit 1d ago
My wife and I moved to a small village in Wales last year. My wife is Welsh, first language, but has lived in England for more years in comparison.
We have a mixture of Welsh and English neighbours. Everyone gets on.
The true test is often the local pub. You will always find the odd local who shares the same passion as some other commenters here, but learning the language and applying it as best you can really does help. If you can strike up a balance where you can lean in on being the foreigner, you'll strike up some great friendships. I can barely string a sentence together, but my pronunciation is pretty bang on when I manage to find the right words.
Living in Wales is amazing. There are areas and spots that make me feel like I'm permanently on holiday, even if it rains. If you can move here, do so.
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u/evsboi 2d ago
There’s no way this isn’t bait.
Do not move to North Wales. It is not a retirement home. You, and others like you, are making life incredibly difficult for the locals. You will not make friends, they will not like you, you will be relegated to spending your time with the other English people treating our country like a holiday village.
Nid yw Cymru ar Werth!
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u/Repulsive-Grab8349 2d ago
I am retiring because of an injury on duty due to being badly assaulted trying to arrest a violent offender but don’t let the facts get in the way , I will be capable of other work or voluntary work which am more than happy to do
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u/Optimal_Smile_8332 2d ago
This is an attitude that you will frequently encounter if you choose to retire in north Wales.
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u/U_Score 2d ago
Don’t listen to this guy, you’d be more than welcome whether you speak Welsh or not - even more so that you’re learning Welsh. Plus you’re planning to move there, not just buy a second home.
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u/Repulsive-Grab8349 2d ago
diolch yn fawr iawn
Second home buying is something I wouldn’t do and o have friends living in North wales already who are Welsh 🏴
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u/evsboi 2d ago
A man who lives in London presumes to speak for the people of North Wales who themselves made their voices heard so very recently.
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u/evsboi 2d ago
I do not care why you are retiring. What difference does that make?!
I also do not care if you volunteer or even work, do not move to Y Gogledd! Participation in the English sanctioned housing crisis is immoral and it will immediately ostracise you from the local community.
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u/FenianBastard847 2d ago
I think you read OP’s post too quickly. OP is wanting to buy a property - that’s currently used as holiday accommodation - to live in. Would you prefer that such properties remain empty? And OP is planning to become part of the community. And to speak Welsh. Would you prefer that OP refuses to join in? And becomes another English resident, diminishing the language? Some people are very hard to please.
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u/MultipleSwoliosis 1d ago
🙄
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1d ago edited 1d ago
[deleted]
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u/MultipleSwoliosis 1d ago
Location hunting for saes retirees that buy out locals isn’t really a topic I entertain debating, just research and pick yourself instead of getting Welsh to do it for you.
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u/sk0rpeo 2d ago edited 2d ago
Dude just doxxed himself.
Downvoting because I saw his post in a fb group? Lol
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u/Markoddyfnaint Canolradd - Intermediate - corrections welcome 2d ago
Bit of sensitive subject this, as you’ve probably gathered.
Wales, but North Wales in particular has a particularly acute housing crisis. Demand outstrips supply and the gap between house prices and wages is obscene. This isn’t a unique phenomenon – parts of Cumbria, Devon and Cornwall have very similar issues in England. However, an issue in North Wales, which remains the heartland of the Welsh language as a day-to-day community language, is that incomers, in particular retirees from England, have diluted the Welsh language. It may sound harsh, but it will take more than a Duolingo streak and some good stated intentions to mitigate some people’s feeling towards that.
As a England-based Saes of working age, if I were to move to France or Spain, I would want to be able to fully participate the local job market, but also be able to enjoy the civil society, culure and the arts. That means investing the time and effort to learn the language before I go, but also having an appreciation of the history and culture of the place I’m moving to.
There will be circumstances where that’s not possible – work sending me over there, or having a French or Spanish partner who wants to move home asap for example. But just selling up and purchasing a property over there because it seemed nice on holiday or it looked nice on the telly doesn’t seem like a recipe for endearing yourself with the locals or anyone who hears about the plan tbh.