Find me somewhere lovely to live

[23trains]

Currently in London commuter belt, but we can’t find a house we like.

Can move further away now as jobs look like they will be a lot more WFH (and I am hoping to be self-employed soon).

Budget is £650k. Would like to live kind of in the country but with a lively town close by. We live nice restaurants, indie shops and country walks. Near a river would be a bonus. Preferable 4-bed with garage.

Please throw some ideas at me - I’ve been in the SE commuter belt my whole life so I’m not sure where else to go!

If you want more of a villagey type feel then Haxby, Huntington, Strensall are all lovely. Don't know if you do Facebook, but there have been a few posts in the last few months about where is best to live on the I Love York page. There are some awesome photos on there as well which will make you fall in love with the city. I have heard that Acomb and parts of Clifton are not as nice, but have to say that I have never been anywhere that I have not felt safe and I have been exploring a lot in the last few months. Bishopsthorpe Road is the trendy area but too central for me!

Outskirts of Norwich. I love the city, and you aren't too far from gorgeous countryside and the sea. We got married near there (Ringland) and it was beautiful.

Oxford has some lovely satellite villages in the Chilterns.

Norwich is so underrated. It's lovely and you could get some really nice for that budget.

Seasalter

Seasalter near Whistable

Peasmarsh

Peasmarsh near Rye

shoreham

Saw Shoreham mentioned on Location Location Location tonight

Smiling at many referrals to what amount to Home Counties commuter towns, where you'll be surrounded by high 'fuck off' gates; red or mustard cords; badly driven Range Rovers; badly behaved labradors (but he's so friendly!); shrill, skinny wives with tennis racquets and opinions; overpriced, very average silver service restaurants, and gastropubs; and hoards of entitled DC, three 😉 per family, (one on a pony), in Billy Bunter uniforms heading to Prep, with nanny.

No 'chains' (shudder); 'snickleways' galore...

But, fact is, £650k won't get you a look in in such places.

What a lot of rubbish miljea. Are you even familiar with any of these areas?? Some lovely 4-beds in haslemere, godalming etc for around £550k upwards. Lots of walks in the countryside, great community spirit, near the coast and plenty of sunshine!

I am very, very familiar with these areas, believe me.

Please link to these 'lovely 4 beds' in Haslemere', for £550,000, on RM!

Be aware that each one you click on, you'll go 'Ah. Terrace. Hmm. Still on a council estate'. 'Oh,maybe not 'lovely''

'Lots of walks'....um- you can more or less 'walk' anywhere on the planet. It's whether your walk encounters 'PRIVATE' sign after sign, really.

'Great community spirit'. I'll have to leave that one alone. My parents village (bought into in 1968, when everyone was lower MC), answering that description, would refer you to the local Neighbourhood Committee. Chaired by an ex-colonel Rupert Trumpington.

Cardiff.
Liverpool.
Plymouth.
Lichfield.
Sheffield.

(Sigh). I am always amazed at how much house and garden you can get outside London. I am renting in a housing association so am lucky as I live in one of the most expensive areas - West London. I always have a laugh when I look for two bedroom houses in Chiswick (say). Go on have a look!

A lot of the places are really not that nice and some have no or not much garden. They seem to hate gardens and prefer shingle or that stuff you put on graves!

Thanks everyone. Bristol and York are drawing me at the moment - I see a day trip to Bristol on the cards!

A couple here for starters:

And yes lots of FREE walks in the beautiful countryside on our doorstep around here certainly with no private signs.

I live in a v friendly street in a village in the area - everyone has looked out for each other during lockdown and everyone in our local bakers, butchers etc are lovely folk as are the pubs/restaurants around.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-70433130.html

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-68277897.html

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-89803400.html

I agree Bristol and York are wonderful and I would also throw in Nether Edge in Sheffield for lots of independent shops, farmers markets, tree lined streets and 20 minutes walk to the city centre and 20 minutes drive to the beautiful Peak District

Look at the Vale of Glamorgan. Near the sea, close to Cardiff. Beautiful countryside. Can be 2 hours from Paddington by train

Is it cool in York? It’s 35 degrees where I am in the SE and way too hot for me. Is there a cool breeze wafting over Bristol Harbourside? Fresh mountain air in Wales?
I think I’ll move based on the weather!

Would you consider Abergavenny or Crickhowell in Monmouthshire?

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-82277611.html

Windsor?

This needs an update, but it's a great location.

Oh sorry, I thought you DID want to stay in the South East.

Dorset? Ringwood area.

@reefedsail I’ve seen that one in my local searches!

Suffolk is beautiful. Countryside and beaches. Lovely market towns.