Stoke born and stoke bred, strong in arm and thick in ‘ead.
Spent the first 20 years there, and the remaining 36 going back to visit family.
Don’t listen to the haters, the people are great, despite the brexit monikers.
However, it is *very* deprived – was back there are the weekend and so much has been flattened and not been rebuilt. There are few job opportunities, and that breeds despair and crime.
There are plenty of places outside Stoke, but there is no where posh, except parts of Trentham. Traffic is always heavy. I personally would look to the countryside just outside, maybe south of trentham towards stafford for a special house, there is not going to be a special magic area. Maybe somewhere between Weston Coyney and Werrington or towards Leek, Wetley Rocks etc.