Where would you live in the UK for space, QoL and schools?

[Fargoer]

Both our work is now going to be remote, though might need to be in London eg once a month.

We live in a lovely area currently, lots to do when it's not covid, schools are good. We have close friends who we'd miss and they are all walking distance away.

We need a bigger house for various reasons and it's going to be a huge step up in house price where we live, and only a tiny bit of extra space for that (house maximally extended).

Have always fantasised about moving somewhere semi rural and now it's a possibility. I imagine myself in a house that friends can easily come and visit for the weekend as there is lots of space. So perhaps not so far away from London that it's onerous to drive for the weekend.

What would you do and where would you go? Budget around £1m and the potential for 5 bedrooms. The ideal would be somewhere close to nature but also need state schools and ideally somewhere the kids don't need us to ferry them around once they are old enough to see their friends alone.

Do I want too much?
WWYD?

Bath and north east somerset?

What you’ll find in Hampshire (especially in the small towns mentioned) is lots of other people that have moved out if London. You’ll have your tribe.

But that tribe consider it a bit odd if you don’t send the kids to private school at least for secondary. Out of my sons excellent village primary school over half went private at 11 despite two outstanding state secondary’s. All were the children of relatively recent incomers.

@AudTheDeepMinded

Not sure about the recommendation for Leicestershire, have family there and it's always seemed a bit boring (but ready to be convinced by those with more experience), and it's MILES from any coastline. Would you think the SW was too far? Good trains from Exeter. And it seems most of London are trying to move here at the moment!

Leicestershire has some lovely countryside and places to visit, but I agree it's way to far from any decent beaches/ coast. The city centre is also an absolute dump.

I've just looked at houses in Romsey. Not many 5 bed houses and pricier than i thought.
(What you spend on the houses you save on the private schools though.)

Thanks so much everyone. Lots of food for thought
@BrilliantBetty this is what I worry about.

@Thewinterofdiscontent yeah, ok I get that attitude... am very used to it, both at work and the group I grew up with.

I love Edinburgh, but I think it's too far from family for us. Same for Cardiff.

I've never loved Bournemouth, a friend used to live there and I visited often.

I love Bath and the outskirts, one of the places I fantasise about living. Not sure about particular areas to focus on though.

South central Hampshire

Fab state schools with no selection.
Easy access to the New Forest and London.
Good motorway and train links.
Houses within your budget

Do a search centred on Winchester or Romsey or Petersfield

Scotland

Battleblent House, Edinburgh Road, Belhaven, Dunbar, EH42
www.rightmove.co.uk/property/82745674

The Gables, 127 South Beach , Troon, KA10 6EH
www.rightmove.co.uk/property/86379424

The Farmhouse, Mid Lecropt Steading, Bridge of Allan, FK9
www.rightmove.co.uk/property/88019923

51 Jubilee Park, Peebles, EH45 9BF
www.rightmove.co.uk/property/79473036

Mo Aisling, Acre Road, Muirhouses Village, Bo'ness
www.rightmove.co.uk/property/51631746

I wouldn’t say the New Forest is great school wise, we’ve looked at moving there ourselves. Now we have teens, I’m glad we didn’t.

I have a friend in Petersfield who likes it. Outstanding state school, I think it has a sixth form, she commutes once a week to London and says it does get to be a bit of drag at times.

Ipanema
Much of the forest is not great for State schools, particularly the Waterside since Hounsdown went sideways
but the J9 8 mile radius is still sound