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Original poster

If you could live anywhere in the UK, would you stay where you are?

80 replies

IHateThinkingUpANewUsername · 18/03/2021 08:34

Essentially just that. But if you are interested, some background below:

My husband has a new job which is wfh (not just covid) with odd travel into the office. ‘The office’ can be any of the company offices in the country though, as in, he can pick, not that they could call him into Newcastle if we lived in Brighton. There are offices relatively all over the UK. I’m currently a SAHM with no career ties to our current area.
We met at uni, got married and settled in an area that was relatively close to both of our parents. Well, they’ve all fucked off in different directions with retirement.
We think we are happy where we are and don’t have a massive budget as we’d be borrowing on one salary, so maybe £300k?
We could get a nice semi or a bit of a shit detached where we are now.

OP posts:
chorusline79 · 18/03/2021 09:56

I moved to east Devon for my kids to start school and absolutely love it here. We live close to Exeter ( 20 mins drive) yet semi rural, fantastic primary and secondary, 15 mins to closest beach and surrounded by beautiful countryside. It has also been a very welcoming place to move to and we have made lots of friends despite lockdown. I feel so very lucky to live here and so glad we did as it was a big change.

LetsSplashMummy · 18/03/2021 10:01

I'd write down the locations of the offices, score off the ones you have no interest in and write down all the good things about each area: "near family/friends, near the sea, affordable, great countryside, lots of culture, travel links, job opportunities for you if you ever want them...." whatever you can think of. One area will start to feel more exciting than the others once you let your imagination stray.

The baby year friends can be transient, you might have one or two that stick but it's not enough of a reason not to actively choose somewhere for your children to have their childhood - what an exciting opportunity!

MichelleofzeResistance · 18/03/2021 10:02

I'd move tomorrow if I could.

HarkAVagrant · 18/03/2021 10:08

I love where I live and am often trying to get other people to move here. I grew up nearby and my family have lived in the general area for generations. I haven't always lived here, and I have also loved other areas I have lived in, London for example, and I usually love places I go on holiday to, and places I visit friends, so maybe I am just easy to please!

LudoBear · 18/03/2021 10:14

I live in a small river town. Its very pretty with lots of beautiful old buildings to admire and fields to walk in. We have lots of festivals throughout the year which attracts visitors but...its a bit boring. We have a spar and Co op, they are building a budgens, lots of hair dressers, coffee shops and antique shops plus 3 charity shops. It floods a lot.

My dream is to move to Cornwall and run a campsite and smallholding. Its never going to happen though haha.

Ihaveoflate · 18/03/2021 10:15

I would stay in the same city, maybe move a couple of mile to a slightly leafier area. I genuinely love where we live and we both grew up within 10 miles of here.

Daydreamsinglorioustechnicolor · 18/03/2021 10:19

If you didn’t have to, would you stay in your area? Do you LOVE where you live and can’t understand why everyone doesn’t live there?

I love it here and definitely think you'd be hard pressed to find a better place to live! I wasn't born or brought up here though, so that's not why. Its just a great place!
I'm sure there are places that are just as nice, but I don't think it would be worth moving to any of them.
I wouldn't leave for a job opportunity for example.

Didicat · 18/03/2021 10:20

Nope I would move back to Scotland. Unfortunately tied to where we are by jobs.

Northumberlandlass · 18/03/2021 10:20

As you can tell by my name - I’m in Northumberland, the Tyne Valley so 30 minutes to Newcastle, under an hour to the sea, very close to glorious countryside. Market town, with community cinema, theatre, good schools, leisure centre. What’s not to like!

OlivePenderghast · 18/03/2021 10:24

I would definitely move if I could! I like reading the ‘Let’s move to...’ articles in the Guardian to get inspiration. www.theguardian.com/money/series/letsmoveto

LIamaDelRey · 18/03/2021 10:25

Need a list of all the office locations OP then I'll choose for you Wink Grin
I would happily move with no ties to an area.
Edinburgh - in a heartbeat.
I especially would advocate moving if it's a South to North move as you could really get more for your money property-wise.
Potentially get a map out, look at relative distances between any family you both have and put a pin in the apex of the triangle.
Or give us the possible locations and locals will tell you pros and cns and we can look them up in the Best places to live tables!

BarbaraofSeville · 18/03/2021 10:43

I agree with Edinburgh, that's definitely somewhere I'd consider if I was moving to 'anywhere' and could afford it.

You might have to live on the outskirts for it to be affordable, or would you be able to live in one of those nice big period flats in the centre - no idea if this is doable on your budget, especially if you'd want access to a car for trips out to the countryside.

BellamyBells · 18/03/2021 10:45

Do you think you'll need to support parents in older age? That's always a stress. Nice to be near some family or friends or be able to connect in some way. I love up north as you can get so much more for your money in beautiful countryside.

Mintjulia · 18/03/2021 10:49

No. Too close to London and too densely populated. As soon as I retire I'm off to Northumberland or Scotland Smile

Cam2020 · 18/03/2021 10:59

I love where I live in Essex. 10 mins walk from a small high st with lots of cafes, bars and restaurants, 10 mins from the countryside, 35 mins to London by train. It's a really friendly area and good for families, good local state schools and a good private school. I'm close to family and friends are all dotted around the home counties, so we meet in London. Good last train from London, should that be required!

icebearforpresident · 18/03/2021 11:02

I’m in Scotland in a relatively deprived area - a seaside town that’s never recovered from cheap flights to Spain becoming a thing, high unemployment and a long dead high street. It has its problems but thinking about it no, I don’t think I would move, at least certainly not far. For all the problems my town has it’s a great place to raise kids, the 4 sunny days of the year are absolutely glorious, we have a beach and pretty harbour, it’s big enough that you don’t know EVERYONE but small enough that you always see someone you know when you’re out and about. As much as I hated it when I was growing up I love it now.

At a push I would move to a small village 20miles up the road because the houses there are beautiful and it’s still coastal. But realistically no, I’d stay put.

Midlifephoenix · 18/03/2021 11:12

I read your title and instantly thought 'anywhere money no object' which would mean to me a house in Chelsea. But then reading your budget and you wouldn't get half a broom cupboard for that...
Going anywhere you are not familiar with can be risky - rent first.

TurnStone · 18/03/2021 11:13

If I had to make this decision, I would be looking at houses to within walking distance (say 2.5 miles) of one of the offices, then narrowing
down by affordability and desirability of location. You'll get there ... !

For myself, I live in a highly desirable location, near the sea and countryside, and handy for local amenities but (for some strange reason) I don't like it much and would prefer to be in a town. Not moving though, because DH LOVES the place .

Best wishes for your move.

SimplyMarvellousDarrrrrrling · 18/03/2021 11:17

No, I wouldn't. I'm in a county that has grammar schools, but there are lots of other very good secondary schools to choose from
On the coast but lots of country walks. Easy to get to London or France for the day
There is always loads to do. Some parts are very, very expensive but 15 minutes down the coast you get more for your money and quieter beaches
Bus services are regular so it's easy to get around

SimplyMarvellousDarrrrrrling · 18/03/2021 11:20

*no I wouldn't move

CandleWick4 · 18/03/2021 11:28

I’d move. We have lots of family ties here (parent and PIL and siblings all here) close knit families on both sides. DH tied to the area with a job but if we had no ties and the flexibility you have I probably wouldn’t have stayed here. I’m by the coast and would stay by the coast just somewhere else. I love my family very much but the obligation to stay close can be suffocating. Enjoy the freedom to look!

TotorosFurryBehind · 18/03/2021 11:39

No, no I would not stay in Plymouth if I had money to live in the countryside nearby. Sadly, the kind of house I would like in the Devon countryside is 500k at least

felulageller · 18/03/2021 11:45

You'll get a lot more for your money in Scotland.
There are lovely areas near Dundee- north east Fife, Perthshire and Angus.
Or try around Perth or Stirling.

The suburbs around Glasgow or Edinburgh are more expensive but you will get a nice house for your money in East Lothian, Linlithgow, Queensferry, East Renfrewshire or East Dunbartonshire. These areas have excellent schools too.

Chipsahoy · 18/03/2021 12:29

Move! That’s what we are doing. House is sold and we are off up to the north east!

Bibidy · 18/03/2021 12:31

No, I only stay where I am (just outside SW London) because my family and friends are here.

If I didn't have those ties I'd probably move somewhere beautiful (and cheaper) like Yorkshire.