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Original poster

Where would you buy a house if this was your criteria?

105 replies

location2021 · 22/02/2020 14:18

I need a real life Kirstie & Phil style intervention... Grin

This time next year I should be in a position to leave London and could pretty much move anywhere in the UK (no significant family ties, no kids, self employed with work that isn't tied to a location). Currently live on the outskirts of London near a hugely polluted high street and high crime rates but overpriced housing... Main motivation for moving is to buy mortgage free somewhere quieter/cleaner/safer. I'm in my 40s so this is potentially a "forever home" at least for the next 20 years or so (I've moved a lot in the past 20 years and just want to settle down).

Especially interested in hearing about smaller places I may not have thought about?

Criteria:

  • definitely a freehold house
  • budget in the region of £200k-260k (have budgeted extra for moving costs, stamp duty etc. already so this is the price tag on the house itself)
  • 3 bedrooms or 2 beds/2 receptions (to have workspace/office at home); ideally a semi or detached (although currently live in a terraced house and it's fine)
  • not rural/isolated but not right in the centre either - an ordinary nice neighbourhood with basic amenities within walking distance would suit me perfectly
  • open to considering different styles of houses from period property to new build

Other things I'd love to have:

  • culturally diverse/open minded area (I'm not British although have lived here for nearly 20 years)
  • no more than 3-4 hours on the train to London for the occasional (but rare) trip here for work or to see friends
  • close to green space/nature or potentially a seaside location
  • would love to be in an area with a creative/arts community or somewhere with thriving small businesses but this is not essential

Currently Nottingham is very high up on my list but have also considered the areas around Southport, Ormskirk and Preston. Yorkshire is also a possibility although I'm concerned about the flood risk areas of course. In the other direction, somewhere on the Kent coast? Not sure it's worth me paying the premium house prices to be in the commuter belt though as I'm definitely not going to be commuting...

OP posts:
Annebronte · 22/02/2020 15:12

Durham/York/Newcastle

RandomMess · 22/02/2020 15:13

Actually Lancaster, very small city. High percentage of students that keeps it diverse. Lots of nice neighbourhoods close to the centre and decent bus services although nowhere is that far to walk.

midsomermurderess · 22/02/2020 15:16

If you move to Scotland you completely avoid that freehold/leasehold nonsense. Glasgow might fit. You could get a decent 2-bed flat for that budget, esp around £260,000, relatively centrally, west end or south side. Lots of parks. Lots of culture. Culturally diverse. Friendly. London about 4 hours by train. Lovely countryside nearby, Loch Lomond etc.

bellabelly · 22/02/2020 15:17

Wirksworth in Derbyshire! We lived there many years ago and I loved it. I understand that it's gone a bit arty since we lived there in the 1990s and even has its own Arts Festival these days link here . You might also like Bakewell (but Bakewell is a bit pricier) and Cromford (which has the BEST second hand bookshop) which are both nearby.

- this one is on at £275K with a shop!

chuffoff · 22/02/2020 15:25

Margate

JayAlfredPrufrock · 22/02/2020 15:29

The Heatons in Stockport

Takingabreakagain · 22/02/2020 18:45

I think the Waterloo area north of Liverpool would fit your criteria. It's a seaside area, with easy access 15 mins train into Liverpool then just over 2 hours to London. Southport is about 30 minutes on the train.
There are loads of independent shops especially in St Johns Road. There's nice restaurants and bars in both Waterloo and Crosby and parks close by.
You could easily get a house in your price range this one is 3 beds for £200,000 www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-76836277.html.

Ormskirk has some lovely houses and access to Liverpool on the train. But there are a lot of students and so prices can be higher due to the demand. The shopping area is less shops, more bars/eating places but there is a popular market twice a week though.

Glassio · 22/02/2020 18:50

Newcastle at the coast , whitley bay / tynemouth.

Butterfingers64 · 22/02/2020 18:52

I'd buy in a lovely market town rather than a city. Link here to an article mentioning some of them.

wanderlove · 22/02/2020 18:54

Sheffield is big enough to be diverse and interesting but feels like a small friendly city. Areas like Nether Edge have so much going on and really easy access to the Peak District t by bus or car. A university city.
Also York for being a big university town and very interesting lots going on but still friendly. I know a lot of people who have moved to these cities later in life and made friends.

For some wild cards: hebden bridge, Brighton and surrounds, Kendal and Keswick and Falmouth in Cornwall. All fantastic places where you could make a really happy life.

How exciting!

Hercwasonaroll · 22/02/2020 18:54

South Manchester but your budget might not get exactly what you want. Manchester is a great city though.

Moseley in Birmingham is good too. Lichfield is v nice and more rural feeling but got an artsy vibe in parts.

CinnnemonBeauty · 22/02/2020 18:54

Solihull

TerpsichoreanMuse · 22/02/2020 18:54

Arty - Hastings Old Town or Folkestone?

toyahwilcox · 22/02/2020 18:59

Folkestone Smile

hernamewasrio · 22/02/2020 19:00

Ramsbottom is not diverse! It's very white and conservative! Oh and expensive! Look at Bradford or Huddersfield- diverse university towns with lots going on.

roseapothecary · 22/02/2020 19:03

Lichfield and Shrewsbury both fit your criteria

LoonyLunaLoo · 22/02/2020 19:03

@whitesoxx do you live in Heysham?

It’s a no from me for the OP as there is zero cultural diversity and to get the train to London, you need to drive in to Lancaster or at least Morecambe and change at Lancaster which adds time/ cost onto the journey. You’d get a fab house for £250000 though! It’s a huge change from London too.

Lancaster would be OK though or Preston. The Leeds are is fab too and there’s more to do. Be aware that the further north you go, the worse the weather though 🙈.

Haggisfish · 22/02/2020 19:04

Pershore

Stravapalava · 22/02/2020 19:05

The villages between Leicester and Nottingham have everything that you're looking for pretty much. However, the "nicer" ones have a price tag to match. You could get something nice within your budget though, we got our 3 bed detached for towards the top end of your budget.

Dollywilde · 22/02/2020 19:12

Your description made me think of Moseley in Birmingham, but possibly a bit ‘city’. Good creative industry in Norwich but not super diverse. Huddersfield might work - or Hebden Bridge?

Connie222 · 22/02/2020 19:45

Norwich. Beautiful place.

PixieDustt · 22/02/2020 19:48

I live in Hampshire and some parts have lovely scenery. Don't want to say where I exactly live as it's small place so would be very outing. It has everything you described except you're looking at about £300k just for a basic 3 bedroom house

BearimyJeremy · 22/02/2020 19:52

Moseley is great but you won't get a three bed terrace even, in Moseley under 300-400k and there aren't many semis. Kings Heath or Bearwood are slightly less bonkers. I'd opt for Bearwood. Parks and a high street and decent schools both primary and secondary.

user1471550643 · 22/02/2020 19:53

Stroud in Gloucestershire

lastqueenofscotland · 22/02/2020 19:55

That budget won’t go far in south Manchester.

Chapel Allerton in Leeds?
Liverpool
Im not familiar with particular locations of Bristol but that might fit the bill