Yeah, it's absolutely beautiful, so peaceful, natural and unspoiled - and you get FRESH air for free!
Seriously though, no place is perfect, but if you can, I think it's beneficial living somewhere that *genuinely* suits your lifestyle and personality, as opposed to somewhere you've simply 'ended up' through circumstances - and most importantly of all, where
you feel HAPPY
Quite simply, life's too short not to be happy!
As you well know, I was born in Glasgow, but through circumstances 'ended up' in North Wales. However, I can absolutely *assure* you, that if I didn't like it here and wasn't happy, I'd have moved to somewhere where I was (and so would Del), LONG ago. I wouldn't just stay and suffer it!
So in that respect, Wrexham defo isn't perfect, but largely suits our needs:
1) Del's a 10-min walk from the college where she works, so in decent weather can enjoy a gentle stroll into work, free from any stress-related travelling by car on very busy, overcrowded roads, or queues/delays on unpunctual (often filthy) public transport, and get good exercise and fresh air into the bargain.
Therefore, little money or time is spent on fuel or commuting, leaving more time for both of us to spend together, as well as more money to spend on the nice things WE like
2) The weather's generally clement, with rarely any extremes (not too hot, not too cold, and not too much rain).
3) There's a decent pub, which serves good food and beer, less than 5-mins walk from our house, and a lovely park, full of lots of different wildlife, within 10-mins walk.
4) We're 35/40 mins by car from a quiet and well-maintained beach, and 15 mins drive from the countryside.
5) There are more than adequate local amenities, with aside from anything else, every supermarket represented, except Waitrose (which is only 20 mins away in Chester).
6) Pretty much zero traffic congestion (no rush hour), and 2-hours ample free parking in the centre of town, for shopping, where there's also a great food market, selling local produce.
7) Both Liverpool and Manchester accessible by car within an hour. Buses into Chester are every 15 mins, from a bus stop across the road from our house. Regular, DIRECT train service into Liverpool, and also to Birmingham.
8) Two independent record shops, plus a proper 'old-school' hi-fi shop in the centre of town.
9) Numerous decent local eateries, serving various different types of cuisine. And you get a lot for your money, in terms of house prices.
10) Short walk to my dad's house, so I can make sure he's ok, do some chores for him and enjoy his company. Plus, good (fast) road links to major motorways going north and south.
I could go on, lol....
Marco.