Which U.K city would you live in/around on a £680k budget?

[ThePolkaDotGiraffe]

I'm looking to make a move, and have been for some time but Covid and family issues delayed it again.

I live outside Glasgow just now but really want a change, most likely somewhere in England but I would consider elsewhere in the U.K.

I've been focusing on London, but I know that I'll likely get more for my money elsewhere though it's still a top choice.

I want a 1-2(ideally 2) bedroom house or flat, and to be in or around a city, it doesn't have to be one of the major ones,because of the range of things to do, also I can't drive at present(due to disabilities) and reasonable public transport is important. I love the suburbs so happy to live there if not too far.

I don't have children and work from home so those aren't factors. I don't care about bars and clubs. but I do enjoy theatre, museums, reading, wildlife watching, going to restaurants and pottering about shops, preferably book shops and some independent shops (but I appreciate those may be thin on the ground due to Covid).

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

TIA

If London, I would look around Kew and Richmond.

If it's London that you want then go for it, but I can't see why you don't just move to the West End in Glasgow, all those things you want would be at your fingertips!

Leeds?

Will add for Chester, the Storyhouse theatre/cinema/library is brilliant and sounds up your street. And they have various theatre performances in Grosvenor park and the amphitheatre.
The river is beautiful on a sunny day also.

Also, for your budget you could have a gorgeous house in the city centre easily!!

Norwich or Cambridge.

Yeah, London. We are in commuter-ville and have been for years, but I still miss it and would love to go back. In your shoes I'd jump at the chance!

London, Harrogate, Bath or Cheltenham. In that order.

Thank you all for the suggestions. There are so many places that I hadn't even considered but I certainly will consider them now.

Part of me still leans towards London but I want to do more research so that I don't miss out on another city that'd also be perfect for me, especially if it saves me a little money.

I'm tired of Glasgow so I feel a change is in order, even though I love the West End.

Marbles321 I'm not sure if I'd be moving in time for your flat, but if I find the right place it might happen sooner than expect so I'd be interested in taking a look. If you're happy to share a link here or by PM. Don't worry if you aren't comfortable doing so.

@ThePolkaDotGiraffe have PMd you :-)

Camborne!

Manchester
Excellent cultural stuff
Easy public transport to the Peak District
You’d get something in the city centre for that

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/106330757#/

Once May 17 passes (apologies for not knowing Scotland's lockdown rules) you have the perfect excuse to do some city mini-breaks! Airbnb's and Premier Inns aren't just in tourist areas these days.

If I could I'd be moving the other way at the moment - England to Scotland. Scotland has the buzz now.

Edinburgh, Bristol, Brighton, Cambridge, Oxford would be on my shortlist

Those are all naice places 😂

@GCAcademic

Newcastle. Excellent cultural attractions and easy access to the beautiful beaches and countryside of Northumberland.

This! 🙂

Trinity Grove, Greenwich, SE10
www.rightmove.co.uk/property/79375110

I would definitely say London. This house is right in the middle of Greenwich (SE10) which is a vibrant place on the Thames. 8 minutes on the train to London Bridge, on the dlr and bus to North Greenwich tube, royal park (my favourite London Park), the river, markets, museums (most free), restaurants and pubs galore. It does get busy in the summer with tourists however. It's a lovely community.

There are cheaper houses on the outskirts. You'll get a big house in SE7 close by for example but it might mean a bit further away from a station. SE3 also worth a look. Generally, SE London is much cheaper than N or West.

Chelmsford, lovely little city abs v close to London
Epping/Loughton/Woodford Green, all very nice towns, right at the end of the Central Line, so 30m from central London, yet lovely scenery and things to do.

York

Brighton - well, the Hove end - because you get the sea as well as lots of culture. Nature is nearby in the Sussex countryside, and London is just over an hour on train for all the big museums etc.

You could even get a seaview with that budget as in this Regency flat or live in the suburbs if you'd rather and still be right near.

@Mehoooole

Dublin, not in the UK, but a great city surrounded by plenty of countryside.

After the latest revelations abjure teenage gangs roaming the streets? No thanks

After the latest revelations abjure teenage gangs roaming the streets? No thanks

Give me strength.

Outside London I think you need to say what type of theatre you like. Most cities will have a pantomime each year but might not have too much else.

When I lived in Oxford there was a lot going on at the theatres and in a couple of weeks you could see ballet, opera and a stand up act.

It would definitely tick your boxes for independent shops and 'mooching around' potential. Oxford city centre is only really 2 streets. There is easy access to London too.

Manchester is more of a 'big city', fair amount of theatres and good shopping. You also have the Gay Village and a large China town.

I'm in Wolverhampton, not the best of cities but your budget would get you a 4 bedroomed house and we 15/30 mins from Birmingham depending on whether you use the train or the tram.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/98647190#/floorplan?activePlan=1

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/90543952#/floorplan?activePlan=2

I think London would suit you, and you have a healthy budget for it. If you're happy with a 1-bed you could live very centrally, even in Bloomsbury or Covent Garden. You could get a slightly bigger place in zone 2 (e.g. Clapham) which would still be very convenient.

We've been on city breaks elsewhere and Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham have had lots to do and decent public transport - but not as good as London.