It isn't really because of the measure of success thing it's because it would be nice to be able to paint, put up a shelf without having written in triplicate permission!
My parents lived in a council house. They could put up as many shelves as they wanted and paint the place whenever they wished, in any colour they desired. You are talking restrictive private rental ~ a very different kettle of fish. See my points about "social housing"
Ahhh I'm not though. Apparently I am not suitable for "social housing" and I don't earn enough to buy so I don't really have an option.
Exactly the point ~ in the old days you would have been put on a list for a council flat/house and, eventually, been granted one. Now you "don't qualify". It's called Social Engineering.
"They" want you to move out to the sticks and this is one way of making you.
Now let's look at this sensibly. Pay Scales for teachers (even NQTs) are pretty good and you also earn ~ so 3 or 4 times your joint income makes a mortgage affordable.
Properties ~ two bed semi in this area can be had for between £65 and £75k ..... Less if you are not particular about location. Teacher's pay is on the same national scale wherever and there are vacancies in all parts of the UK. If Mr Wench speaks Welsh then they'd pay him extra here because they cannot get enough Welsh speakers, if he doesn't but is willing to learn they'll still pay extra and give him time off to learn it.
If you don't want a house then you can buy a flat here for less than £25k ~ there is one in the village going for £19k today.
Another advantage to North Wales is that it is harder to get to Cardiff from here than it is from London.