Why is Somerset so great for raising a family?

By Anita Jaynes on 2 January, 2024

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Even if you love the hustle and bustle of the city, there might be a time to move to a peaceful, more relaxed location. Whether you’re starting a family or moving to secure the next opportunity in your career, Somerset could make a brilliant location.

The county is home to quaint market towns, stretches of coastline, and some of the most incredible natural scenery in the UK. Somerset boasts a truly varied landscape suitable for a wide range of tastes and requirements, and it’s not one to overlook.

Relocating in 2024? See our top four reasons to find a family home in Somerset:

  1. Beautiful homes, cost-effective living

In major cities like Birmingham and London, exponentially high house prices make the market a difficult place for first-time buyers to navigate. Nearby, house prices in Bristol have increased by nearly 90% over the last ten years.

Just a few miles into Somerset, it’s easy to see that you can save money on the price of a new property. Home builders prefer to echo the authentic rural style seen in many of Somerset’s towns and villages, so you’ll find plenty of large homes with ample garden space too. The county makes country living more accessible and varied.

  1. Excellent transport links

Living in Somerset doesn’t need to mean cutting ties with important local towns and cities. Whether you need to commute throughout the week, visit family and friends, or simply keep up with your hobbies, the county promises a well-connected lifestyle. For new parents and professionals alike, new homes in Somerset open doors to an active and balanced lifestyle.

Towns including Taunton and Yeovil boast excellent road and rail links to bigger cities across the West Midlands and towards London. Somerset offers accessibility to urban areas, but a guaranteed return to peaceful countryside.

  1. Extensive natural scenery

Ample green space is becoming harder to find when it comes to new homes, especially for first-time buyers. However, Somerset boasts diverse natural landscapes perfect for active families. It’s an area with one of the lowest crime rates in the country, so you can explore with your mind totally at ease.

With the expansive Exmoor National Park and the Quantock Hills AONB just a stone’s throw from some of the major towns in the region, it’s an ideal destination for those eager to escape to the countryside.

  1. Strong education sector

Somerset’s primary schools fall amongst a handful of the very best in the country.

Due to the smaller nature and size of the villages and towns you might choose to settle in, it’s highly likely that children will be placed in classes with fewer children than average. An increased likelihood of small-group teaching and one-to-one care sets any child up for success.

For older pupils and young adults, Somerset also has a fantastic mix of state and independent schools from which to choose. Taunton is home to some of the most well-regarded schools, including the Queen’s College.

Overview

Somerset effortlessly combines exceptional natural beauty with a cost-effective lifestyle. For those looking to settle down in a new home with a young family, it offers an array of opportunities for leisure, transport and entertainment, alongside excellent transport links across the South of England.

Pictured above: Image by Wieslaw Majczuk from Pixabay