Expats looking for new home in the UK

[Elizabeth90]

Hi everyone.

My husband, my son (he is 5) and I moved from SA to the UK in 2015. We first settled in Crouch End, North London, where we rented for a year. We loved it there but we wanted to buy and couldn't afford to buy a house there. So we moved out to Hertfordshire, bought a nice enough house.....and we aren't happy. We have lived here for just over a year now and we just don't fit in. Its beautiful, our house is nice, our son's school is amazing....but its just not where we belong.
Both my husband and I are creatives and we work remotely. We want to move and have our hearts set on moving to the coast. Simply because we all grew up besides the ocean and we miss it a lot.
I would LOVE advice from anyone on where we could look so that we don't make the same mistake twice. For our son's sake we need this move to stick! :)
We need somewhere with a train to London in under 1h30mins, must have a vibey community with lots to do (theatre, cinema, decent high street etc) and somewhere where expats would fit in and be welcome. We are very sporty and outdoorsy and our son is too. I don't mind living in a smaller house if we have a better fit with the community. We want to take our time now and go and visit and stay in some places to get a feel for them, and I would really appreciate any pointers here :)

[Pupsiecola]

Have you considered Lewes in West Sussex? I don't live there but I know people who do and I gather it has that sort of vibe. I would imagine the commute is under 1 hour 30 too...

[WineBeforeCake]

Brighton would be wonderful for you (if pricey!)

[Elizabeth90]

Ok thank you :)

[ksb76]

What about Bath? Quite cosmopolitan, so more welcoming to ex-expats, and with enough substance to keep you all occupied; theatre, shopping etc, while having excellent transport links to London, and only a short drive from the coast. Beautiful area too.

[MyBrilliantDisguise]

You sound as though you'd find your tribe in Brighton!

[Ttbb]

I think that you would love Brighton.

[MyBrilliantDisguise]

What's your budget, OP? We could find you somewhere!

[cheeseismydownfall]

Another vote for Brighton!

[LurksNoLonger]

Expat moving to Folkestone here. We spent ages researching...V artsy, up and coming (you can still get gorgeous decent properties here for v good money) and less than 1 hour to London on HS. Becoming v popular with the DFLs (down from Londons - for weekends or permanently - as they are known locally!) Join We Love Folkestone FB group and see for yourself how beautiful it is 😀

[NewBallsPlease00]

Brighton, Margate! , bath,Bristol, didsbury in Manchester . Edinburgh

[MrsC2810]

Exeter? Perhaps a tad longer on the train but still a great city.
Decent high street, great artsy bits, nice people and lots of beaches nearby. Dartmoor is close too.

[ExConstance]

Stroud, very artsy with reasonable priced houses and lots to do.
1 hour 30 minutes to London. Has some excellent schools, including a boy's and a girl's grammar and a very good comp (Thomas Keeble)