Where to move

[Cakemonger]

If you were 35 and looking to move somewhere in the UK on your own, where would you go? Looking for somewhere relatively friendly and culturally vibrant that isn't London (lived there and found it stressful/overwhelming). I veer towards prettiness rather than urban concrete. Am considering Edinburgh but I get SAD in winter so think moving that far north might not be the best idea. All ideas/opinions welcome!

Ps no kids so schools are not an issue

Are you looking for city ? Bristol or Newcastle (but still quite northerly!)
Or more a town size? Cheltenham, Winchester?

@beeswain I'm thinking a not-too-big city, or a town if it was quite vibrant and not too insular.

Outskirts of Sheffield, beautiful landscapes of the Peaks but the city when you need it, and so central to the rest of England plus the people are mega friendly.

Thanks @SILdidittoo, I confess to finding Sheffield city centre a bit depressing. I've lived in urban places for the last few years and am yearning for somewhere with a pretty centre to walk around. Agree Sheffield has glorious countryside nearby 🙂

Leamington Spa?

Or ideally in the bit between Leamington & Warwick. Mild weather, pretty surroundings, not crazy southerb house prices, easy to get elsewhere by road and rail. Leamington and Warwick both feel quite different and togeth3r have loads of stuff going on. In the middle, you can easily walk to the centre of either using the canal tow path.

Thanks @SunnyKlara. I was in Birmingham over lockdown so I'm not keen to go back to the landlocked midlands just yet but agree Leamington is very nice 🙂

Bristol or Bath?

Belfast! You won’t find anywhere friendlier

One place I loved as a visitor was Cambridge - totally my vibe. I think it could feel a bit claustrophobic and isolated though.

Somewhere coastal then?

@Janedoe82 I had an ex from Belfast so went there a lot in my twenties! Stunning countryside and amazing food, would love to visit again 🙂

Leeds or York 😊

Yes- Belfast is so underrated. Small and amazing beach’s an hour away and only 90 mins to Dublin. Super food, brilliant University and affordable housing.

Budget??

Come to Bristol... 😉

Totally up for somewhere coastal! I love the north east but it's bloody cold. Have been looking at the Hove area. V expensive but it looks quite vibrant.

Chester would be my vote.

Budget wise I'll be renting which is expensive everywhere so for now I'm just looking at ideas rather than cold hard reality 😂

Canterbury? Or if you liked the vibe of Cambridge but found it too small, then Oxford would probably be right up your street! Or York.

Or Bristol. Great place. Pretty parts (not all though, obvs)

Norwich - not quite coastal, but there are trains and buses. It’s quite cut off from the rest of the country though!

Thanks for all your suggestions everyone. In terms of making friends, do you think it is equally easy/hard everywhere? I know everyone's different and it's subjective but what put me off Cambridge was people saying they found it insular/hard to make friends. I've heard similar things about Oxford. Then again you can't base your life choices on something one person said on the internet once and obviously there are nice people everywhere.

Lincolnshire, Lincoln city is historic and then there are coastal areas within an hours drive and scenic countryside around the wolds

I should say Yorkshire is out - unhappy adolescent memories unfortunately

I don't think you can write off a whole city as insular. Maybe Cambridge is a bit on the small side and is almost entirely dominated by the university and that could explain that take (although I also think it's changed a lot and there's a really vibrant research and innovation/tech scene which must have brought it a lot of new people). In general though I think if a place is big enough and you put yourself out there you'll probably meet likeminded people through hobbies/work etc.