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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think I can find somewhere like London outside London?

477 replies

Cheezywotsitforbrekkie · 30/10/2024 10:10

We are considering a move outside London for the bigger house. Would have to be commutable, and not TOO far. As a result, a city like Birmingham is out of the question.

But I love London. I know I won’t get the big city feel if we aren’t in a city, but I’d at least like to feel like I’m living in a vibrant suburb that’s just a bit further from London.

currently thinking somewhere with a Brixton/ Herne Hill vibe.

its also the people, so want to move somewhere that attracts a fair number of quite arty types. ( we also aren’t loaded so don’t think we’d be able to go anywhere that attracts the banker crowd)

we aren’t particularly edgy ourselves ( like to think we are 😁) but friends who moved to Tonbridge wells came back with their tail between their legs…it was too dull for them and they aren’t wild!

so looking for places that are cheaper than London, a bit arty, community feel and with the obligatory nice coffee shop. Any ideas?

OP posts:
coxesorangepippin · 30/10/2024 13:02

Oswaldtwistle?

HarrisObviously · 30/10/2024 13:02

FloreatEtona · 30/10/2024 11:25

Slough

You're having a laugh 😆

TotalDramarama24 · 30/10/2024 12:59

Have you looked at Chingford or Highams Park? Still London and commutable to Liverpool Street in 25 mins but affordable and have a great vibe.

Morven7 · 30/10/2024 12:58

Persephonisima · 30/10/2024 10:15

Maybe stay there. We’re full up 😂
Not being funny but there are literally hundreds of threads like this to research.
Before you ask Harrogate, Ilkley, York and Hebden Bridge are really expensive so no converted barn for £100k.

Edited

Comprehension issue? Not far from London..

wowzelcat · 30/10/2024 12:52

St Albans.

Feelingathomenow · 30/10/2024 12:50

Don’t move to Birmingham it’s a shit hole. Used to live in a really nice suburb of Birmingham for 20 years. Left after almost daily knife crimes in local parks, lots of kids in my sons secondary school class had English as a second language meaning most of lessons were interrupted.

Spent years happily walking round Birmingham city centre, at day and night. Recently returned at 5pm I actually felt scared and intimidated, lots of mentally unwell homeless, there were a lot of men walking around who just walked straight at you expecting you to move. Lots of racial tension.

Lots of Starbucks and costas for your iced oat latte though and lots of independent curry houses (in my mind I haven’t found a curry outside Birmingham that’s as good).

LIZS · 30/10/2024 12:50

Brighton, Guildford, Oxford, Bristol ? Although unlikely to be significantly cheaper

SuziQuinto · 30/10/2024 12:49

MildGreenDairyLiquid · 30/10/2024 12:47

The only way you’re going to get this is by moving to another whopping city, and even then London is so much larger than everywhere else you might struggle. Bristol is the most obvious option, but some areas of Manchester and Birmingham might suit? Brighton?

She's said Birmingham is too far, so I'm guessing Manchester is as well.

OrwellianTimes · 30/10/2024 12:48

Bristol, Brighton, Cardiff

MildGreenDairyLiquid · 30/10/2024 12:47

The only way you’re going to get this is by moving to another whopping city, and even then London is so much larger than everywhere else you might struggle. Bristol is the most obvious option, but some areas of Manchester and Birmingham might suit? Brighton?

TheDeepLemonHelper · 30/10/2024 12:40

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SuziQuinto · 30/10/2024 12:27

BleachedJumper · 30/10/2024 11:47

People on mumsnet can be genuinely helpful with suggestions on these threads, if they have a realistic idea of what you actually want.

so, what’s the budget and what do you want? 3/4/5 bedrooms? Garden?

What’s your max commute and where are you actually trying to commute in to? How many times a week?

This is the actual issue!

MrsSunshine2b · 30/10/2024 12:27

Chesham is on the end of the Met Line and is a bit like you describe, lots of independent restaurants and quite arty.

Goldenbear · 30/10/2024 12:25

Mosalahiwoukd · 30/10/2024 12:20

Brighton & Hove, nickname ‘London by sea’ because you have an amazing music scene, art scene , indie scene, restaurants etc but then you have 5 miles of seafront and the Downs on your doorstep.

But it is as pricey as Brixton and more expensive than lots of parts of South London in the parts with the vibe the OP is looking for. I just looked at Ealing as was born and grew up near there and it is the same price as the house we are looking at in Brighton. In Brighton we need to be near a station for work in London so the prices are high in those areas and happen to be where the independent coffee shops, cafes and music scene that is walkable at night.

Hillarious · 30/10/2024 12:24

Think it's best you stay in London, OP. Nothing else can compare, and we wouldn't want you to lead a dull life like those of us outside the M25.

FloatyBoaty · 30/10/2024 12:23

Margate
Brighton
Bristol
Hastings
Bath

Mosalahiwoukd · 30/10/2024 12:22

You get much more for your money in Hove over Brighton central, but even with smaller gardens it still feels like there’s so much outdoor space - parks, seafront obvs, The Downs National Park

OccasionalHope · 30/10/2024 12:20

Bristol, Folkestone, Reading, Oxford?

Mosalahiwoukd · 30/10/2024 12:20

Brighton & Hove, nickname ‘London by sea’ because you have an amazing music scene, art scene , indie scene, restaurants etc but then you have 5 miles of seafront and the Downs on your doorstep.

Bluevelvetsofa · 30/10/2024 12:20

Guildford if you have lots of money.

Bearpawk · 30/10/2024 12:20

Teateaandmoretea · 30/10/2024 12:05

Brighton also really isn’t like London. I can accept that the only time I’ve ever been it was February, it was over 15 years ago and it was pissing it down but it truly was one of the most underwhelming places I’ve ever been.

It’s a seaside town, it may be a fashionable seaside town with a great vibe that lots of Londoners have moved to. But it isn’t like London.

lol once 15 years ago??
No it's not London. But I live there and can confirm it has lots of the elements op is looking for - arty types, a city vibe, lots going on as well as a great food scene whilst being commutable to London.

Cranarc · 30/10/2024 12:20

You could look at places like Norwich, I suppose. Or Rochester.

Rocknrollstar · 30/10/2024 12:19

St Albans

jay55 · 30/10/2024 12:19

If the op had the budget for Clifton/redland they'd have the budget for Brixton/HH.
Same with Brighton really. They could probably afford it but not get much more for their money property wise, and have an expensive commute and triple the council tax.