Where to move to in the north?

[DamnUserName21]

Posting for info.
Single parent (1 DC Y8), work in healthcare, renting a one bed in SE. Cost of living ridiculous.
I'll never afford a mortgage in SE and renting is just getting more and more expensive.
I'm considering moving north but I don't even know where to start.
I don't drive so this place needs to have good transport links, a bit of culture, good secondaries, safe neighbourhoods, affordable rents, and near a beach!
Any ideas??

[Weredone]

I second the North East or Northumberland areas. Morpeth is beautiful, and Whitley Bay is a great place for families. If you do your research there’s loads of nice options in this area.

[Lj8893]

Liverpool, Chester or The Wirral.

Even the “roughest” part of Chester is safe and nice. It’s a wonderful city with good transport links to Liverpool, Manchester and North Wales. And even the train to London is only about 2 hours!
Lots of gorgeous beaches within 30-40 minute drive and the Welsh mountains are a bonus too!

[DamnUserName21]

@sashh

I'll be mindful of this, thanks.
Currently work NHS (not London) so wages should be the same.

This doesn't always happen. Admittedly it's a long time since I worked for the NHS but in the south people were generally on a higher grade.

I would start by looking for jobs and seeing what is available. Also as you don't drive you may need to factor in taxis if you do any on call or unsocial hours work.

Also lots of hospitals are part of a large trust and you can be expected to work between sites eg my Dad lives in Burnley, Burnley has a general hospital but no A and E, the nearest is at Blackburn about 12 miles away.

Will you or your DS want to visit where you are now?

I realise this is not a positive message but you could move to a Northern town and find the nearest available work is miles away.

I'll be looking at jobs & wages before uprooting, definitely, as well as travel links and likelihood of travel between sites. If possible, I'll apply before uprooting.

I plan to make a shortlist and visit the towns/cities listed. I am purely in the idea gathering stage.

Yes, will return to SE to visit fam every so often.

[DamnUserName21]

[quote wallysally]@DamnUserName21 what is your budget house wise?[/quote]
@wallysally @juicyjanuary

Honestly, I haven't thought of a budget house-wise in terms of mortgage, just renting for first two years which would be around £800pm.

Thanks for the input everyone.

[Lj8893]

I used to rent in Chester, a mile from the city centre, a beautiful, large 3 bed house for £800pm.

[EwwSprouts]

@thirstyformore

No one has suggested east Yorkshire yet!! Beverley is a hidden gem. Regularly features in "best places to live" lists. 30 minutes to the seaside. Have a look

The campaign for public sector employees getting great results
www.eastyorkshhire.co.uk/live

www.hey.nhs.uk/news/2021/07/21/major-recruitment-campaign-hailed-a-success-by-hulls-hospitals/

[Yespresh]

I was going to say Nantwich before I read the beach bit. Not far from Crewe but very different to Crewe. Great rail links.

[Tink51971]

Is it a hospital setting you are looking for or community based. East Yorkshire area has various nhs teaching trusts, there is Humber teaching trust that covers from Hull up to Whitby, they have a few inpatient units across that area but are mainly community based so you could be in hull in the morning and then have to go to Bridlington in the afternoon. I would suggest finding an area you like and then looking at what there local nhs trust offers.

[DamnUserName21]

Will do @Tink51971
Likely hospital at first due to not driving but depends what's available. I will look at private sector also.

[ojojojojojjjj]

Hi OP, i'm a LP in a very similar situation to you, private renting in SE, 1 DC (age 8). I work but on my own I am unable to afford a mortgage and very insecure in terms of my long term housing situation. I know this sounds completely off the wall but I'm looking to partner with someone to potentially buy a place with someone trustworthy somewhere I can afford. I've checked out Sheffield which I loved (lots going on, near countryside, good transport, people so friendly) and houses are very affordable. If it doesn't sound too insane let me know if you want to chat. I'm looking to pair up with someone for the shorter term (2-3 years but am flexible on this!) until I know an area better and have a foothold on the property ladder a bit. DM me if this sounds vaguely like you might be interested. Not open to doing this with just anyone, obviously a serious legal agreement and lots of advance prep would be required. Even considering a shorter term co-rental to get to know someone. Am keen to move in the next few months. If I don't sound completely crackers please feel free to message me and we can chat! I promise I am not mad (too much!) and am a reliable human :)

[ojojojojojjjj]

PS am potentially open on areas!!

[Chipsahoy]

We are renting on edge of Sunderland and County Durham and it isn’t cheap at all. House purchase prices are cheaper than south but rents are nuts as it’s a landlords market.

[GrealishHairband]

Whitley Bay/Tynemouth/Cullercoats are great but prices have soared recently and rentals are in short supply. Might be better looking slightly more inland or further up the coast, south beach (Blyth), Seaton sluice, Seaton Delaval, new hartley, cramlington offer you most of the things on your list, some have better transport links than others but all have great schooling options and are close to the beach (if not on it) and a short distance from Newcastle.

[Hopeisallineed]

@Toddlerteaplease yes, seriously! I can only name one decent cafe in Penrith. It’s got nothing cultural happening unless you count the cinema that no one goes to and yes, beautiful scenery in the Lakes but no good if you don’t drive as there’s little or no public transport. Lots more exciting places, would choose Keswick over Penrith any day or Kendal.

[Hopeisallineed]

Also no hospital to work in, unless you commute to Carlisle and that’s got one of the worst reps of any hospital in England. :-(

[Toddlerteaplease]

@Hopeisallineed would that be Chapter 12? I was sitting in there when I read your post about there being no cafes!

[Hopeisallineed]

@Toddlerteaplease nope, I had an awful meal there! ☹️ Not great sadly. Brunswick Yard is great but since covid they are only outside takeaways.

[Teflondreams]

Chester!

Has a hospital, is a beautiful small, safe city with some culture, really near a range of beaches in Wirral and North Wales, Cheshire countryside on the doorstep. Close to Manc/ Liverpool with a short train journey.

[tanguero]

Another vote for LIVERPOOL. The city’s beaches are it’s best kept secret !

[leavesthataregreen]

Definitely Newcastle or Whitley Bay. Both gorgeous with good schools, lots of culture, seaside etc. Newcastle has two massive hospitals too if that's where you may be based as a healthcare worker.

[SorryPardonWhat]

Morecambe - gorgeous coastline, Lancaster Grammer catchment, cheap housing. Ok there are some very rough bits but worth a look.

[Flowersintheattic2021]

Barnsley

[sashh]

Have a look at council housing as well as visiting places. Since the bedroom tax no one wants a 2 bed any more.

As you will be travelling south look at trains, and planes in terms of time and cost. When I was living in London, flights to Manchester were cheaper than the train.

Do factor in learning to drive. There's a lot to explore, whichever place you move.

[DamnUserName21]

All great tips-many thanks.
@ojojojojojjjj Love the idea of sharing with another LP but I am terrible to live with. Clean home but untidy, don't like noise and like my own space too much. Barring DC, I'm not sure I could live with anyone again. I also have no clue as to where I'm going or when. Thanks though.:)

[Hdhdjejdj]

Try Formby, Southport and Ormskirk. They have big hospitals, great schools and shops.