Which area should I move to?

[Nomad74]

Hi, very first post here. I'm about to become a single mum of 5 and am going to have to move away from my home county (Hampshire) so that I can afford a house. I have quite a low budget as I'm going to be unable to get a mortgage at this time. I've been looking at South Wales (Barry, Newport, and areas of 5 - 10 miles north of Cardiff and Newport); I've also been looking at Staffordshire, mostly Leek and the surrounding areas, possibly Buxton, and maybe Stafford (although I've not actually been there yet).

So I was wondering if anyone who lives in those areas or knows someone who does could give me any more info/ advice? Two very different areas, I love the sea although could live without it if there was nice countryside (I used to love horses and wouldn't mind getting back into this one day in the not too distant future). We have rellies in the Manchester area although I don't know them well and don't really want to go that far as my Mum, bro and the kids Dad will still be down here.

I want someone that is going to be reasonably friendly (it can't be much worse than East Hampshire lol) and where there are good schools and things for do for kids (my kids range from 18 months to 15); also with reasonable transport and road links and prospects of me finding work in the next few years. Also if poss. I'd like somewhere that isn't too choked up with traffic (as it is down here) and where crime is low etc....all the obvious. Any replies would be greatly appreciated x

How much can you spend OP? Affordable means dfferent things to different people. I would suggest the environs of Chester if you had around 200k but North Wales is much cheaper and also beautiful...not very far from Manchester either!

www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/property/11802315/Mapped-Where-affordable-meets-desirable-the-best-places-to-live-in-Britain.html

Do you work op? The areas of Wales you mention have quite high unemployment rates I think so you might want to look at the jobs available locally.

What's your budget for buying a house?

Thanks for replying xx I've been to Chester, it's lovely, really wish I could afford somewhere like that. My budget at the moment looks to be about 185, 000 absolute max and obviously I need as much house as possible (min of 4 beds).

I don't work, I will likely have to once my youngest gets a little older. I wouldn't be looking for anything spectacular, something to bring the money in (worries me a bit because it's a long time since I last had a proper job, have been a SAHM for 15 years).

Thanks for the link too xx

Leek is a long way from the sea! I miss it...but, there is lovely countryside near here, the Staffordshire Moorlands, Peak District are on the doorstep. It's also very close to Cheshire.

The town itself is quite small, lots of independent shops but for clothes etc you would need to visit Stoke on Trent or as they say here go 'up Hanley duck

I am an incomer married to a Leekensian, as they are called, and I can sometimes feel a bit of an outsider but on the whole people are very friendly. I am originally from down south and sometimes have to remind people that is a lot of down south that isn't london!

If you want to know anymore about the area please pm me 😊

Hi somewhere there are jobs! Especially if you've been at home for so long. Getting back into work can be hard.

We live near Manchester but have days out to the Ribble Valley and Clitheroe. Its a lovely little town with everything you need and a castle! Think there's a free grammar school too. Hope this link works:
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/find.html?locationIdentifier=REGION%5E338&insId=2&minPrice=100000&maxPrice=200000&minBedrooms=4&radius=0.5&googleAnalyticsChannel=buying

Penrith in Cumbria has some lovely houses in your price range.

And I love this, in Southport by the sea:

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-50335779.html

How about Rossendale? Easy travel into Manchester for work and near gorgeous countryside, you could get an old stone terrace house for under your budget.