Anyone want to help us decide where to live? :)

[SpritzH]

Hi,

Already posted this in Property/DIY, but posting here too for traffic. Cheeky, I know!

Currently in the cambs area, but we're all desperate for a fresh start and would like to move further north once dc has finished GCSEs next year, so our 16 year old needs very much need to be taken into account.

Wishlist is:

Large village/small market town.
Plenty of art, indie and coffee shops.
Nice pubs and restaurants.
Pretty countryside views or at least nearby.
Easy links to nearby cities, but don't need to be right next to a train station.
Within an hour (ish) and a half from Nottinghamshire.
Close to good art colleges.

Absolute max budget is 600k, but that may be pushing it after last night's calculations 😬 With that we need somewhere with at least 4 bedrooms, detached and with a large garden. Ideally a bit of land (possible wishful thinking, I know)

Places already considering are Malton North Yorkshire, Stamford, Matlock, Bakewell and Leek.

Anyone with any experience of those areas or new ones I haven't mentioned, please share :)

TIA.

Are you desperate to stay in England?

glasgow and Edinburgh have good schools and colleges and you will get a lot of bang for your buck within an hour or so of them.

here are just a couple of examples in desirable towns

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/125880695#/?channel=RES_BUY

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/126175604#/?channel=RES_BUY

Stone in Staffordshire is a lovely market town and worth considering. You'd get a reasonable amount of house for your money there.

Bakewell is my fave out of those. Definitely not Leek! Although you would get a palace for your budget there! Buxton is also nice but Bakewell is best.

@CormoranStrike I have never actually been to Scotland, but I'm almost certain I'd love it. It's just too far from family though, unfortunately.

@123sad123 Yes, I'd very recently heard of Stone actually. Looks quite nice. Can you tell me any more about it?

@StarDolphins I always thought of Bakewell as being a tiny, cobbly village, but apparently not. Is it still not very rural though? I have actually been, but a looong time a go, so can't remember much. Can I ask why you say "definitely not Leek"? Does seen to divide the crowd from some of the research I've done.

@SpritzH i personally think Leek is quite deprived & lacking in charm. it’s cheap to live there & I have a couple of lovely friends that live there but I just don’t think it’s a nice place!

What about Buxton? (I agree Bakewell although amazing is quite rural) Buxton is lovely, the best restaurants(Greek, Spanish, Mexican)/wine bars that are lovely, nice coffee shops, low crime, great walks. Always something going on in the main park. Train straight to Manchester etc.

Stone is just north of Stafford which is on the west coast mainline so fast trains to London, Manchester etc. it is a small town. Really friendly. Got its own train station for slower trains. Not too far from uttoxeter (could be another option ) for trains to Nottingham.
A small town centre with a lot of independent shops. Lots of nice restaurants and bars. A lovely canal to walk along. Very close to the Peak District for walks. Barlaston downs is also a nice walk. I'm sure you'd get a 4 bed house with a reasonable garden for your budget somewhere around stone. There are lots villages close by that would be worth looking at. Only thing I'd say is no idea about art colleges. And also for a teen there's not lots to do and also buses and trains are not frequent. But it is nice for teens in not much crime etc. worth a look imo.

Sorry, I know this wasn't the question, but how does your 16 year old feel about moving a long way from their friends at this point? Both of mine would have been extremely unhappy. I couldn't do it without a very very good reason. Why not wait a bit?

On the other hand, they may be fine with it and I should shut up!

Wetherby or Bramham in Yorkshire are nice towns. Close to both Leeds and Harrogate.
Good schools and the countryside on your doorstep.

@StarDolphins thanks. I shall have a look at Buxton too.

@123sad123 Ah, sounds good. Will see what their art scene is like. Including colleges. Thank you.

@mast0650 I was actually going to mention in my op. My dc actually wants to move. She has friends, but not close and I think she wants a new start as much as we do, if not more. She tends to like unusual things for a teen I suppose. Things like an old fashioned tea room or coffee shop. Antique and art shops and the countryside generally. She has anxiety and I think these sort of things relax her. She's older than her years in that sense. I can understand to most, moving at that time would sound like a rubbish plan!

Buxton is really lovely, I'd happily move there if I could!

Lincoln?

Ah ok - if your dc wants to move then obviously that's totally different. Good luck!

I was on holiday recently in Buxton and bakewell, don't think I'd want to live there they were just towns to drive through.

I'd like to live in some of the market towns in the south but they are shit in terms of tourist traffic in the summer.

Kos I've not helped you at all!

Have you considered Belper in Derbyshire? Your 16yo will find antique/charity shops, indie cafes, a new indie bookstore, a thriving environmental scene - plus gorgeous countryside on the doorstep. Good 6th forms in Duffield, Wirksworth and Belper itself to choose from. FE colleges in Derby and Nottingham. Bus and train links. And it's a world heritage site. Property prices not ridiculous. You could also look at Duffield, Wirksworth, surrounding villages.

@SuseB Just had a look at Belper. Looks nice actually. Seems to be quite popular.

Hmm not sure about colleges though

Duffield is expensive! Lovely looking pub though.

I'd go for Stamford. Beautiful town. Brilliant schools, restaurants galore, history, lovely countryside, Rutland water down the road...

I'm quite jealous in fact!

I live just outside of Leek. It's a lovely town lots of independent shops/cafes, really good community spirit, Christmas lights switch on, markets etc. Vert easy to visit Bakewell/Matlock/Buxton/Ashbourne etc, I often nip to all of those places.
Stone is a nice town, or used to be. I recently visited and there's nothing much there now besides charity shops and opticians. I personally feel Leek has more to offer in terms of a market town feel and easy commute to other towns and beautiful countryside. I live in a little village called Bagnall about 10 mins from Leek. Pm me if you need any help or advice!

This is Getliffes Yard just off the main High Street in Leek, has a fabulous restaurant at the end called Leek Bar and Grill! I moved away from Leek for a few years, but absolutely love being back in this area and the surrounding countryside is 👌

I haven't been for ages but I really liked Newark and recall there were some great properties at really reasonable prices

Something to consider in both Matlock & Bakewell is that both towns have suffered significant flooding in recent years so if you move there make sure you are well away from the river! The Peak District generally is so lovely though with lots going on and we are very happy to be living there.
I agree with PP that Belper might be worth looking at. House prices vary hugely in Derbyshire so make sure you have researched not just the town you choose but also the specific area/street, this is probably the case in lots of places though.

@ihatesoaps Stamford is gorgeous and we actually visit a lot. It fell down the list a bit once we saw how awful traffic and parking was through the town. Also, not cheap! Properties within our budget don't normally come with much garden and that's quite a big thing to us. Plus I think we'd like to go a bit further north. Saying all that, it's still on the list.

@Bellysmackers It's strange how much opinion varies with Leek. I suspect because it depends on which bit (?) Although some people seem to love the high street where as others see it as run down 🤷‍♀️ That view from that restaurant looks gorgeous though! Bagnall looks very nice. You have a lovely pub! First thing I googled 😂 Buxton and Leek College also looks good.

@Silverpossum I actually lived quite close to Newark. Some nice bits, but overall not my bag really.

@bobby81 Thanks for that. A lot of the houses in Matlock look quite elevated - assuming that would help?..

Just giving this a bump 🙂

Hebden Bridge - think it could fit a few of your requirements. Trains to Leeds & Manchester. Definitely can be rural, quirky, possibly a good choice particularly for your daughter. Have friends who moved from Nottingham and love it.
Join some Facebook groups for the towns, see what things crop up and if you like the look of it.
I'd also visit on a weekend. Our friends drove around lots of places before finding Hebden