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Original poster

Where can I live in the UK?

74 replies

Holidayhavanas · 14/09/2022 07:21

Hello

i’m fed up where I live in the Home Counties. It’s really congested and we want a change. Want to get slightly more for our money too. Currently in a “nice” part of Surrey. Two girls in state school aged 6 and 8 - we are not averse putting them into private school. Any ideas?! Literally open to anywhere although DH occasionally had to go to London.

OP posts:
Original poster
Holidayhavanas · 14/09/2022 07:57

Probably worth saying looking for 4 bed, detached with a study/ office - quiet but still walkable to local shops

OP posts:
theoriginalteletubby · 14/09/2022 07:59

Times best places to live …..

www.thetimes.co.uk/best-places-to-live

runforyourdog · 14/09/2022 08:02

What about somewhere in / around Peak District?

PlattyJubes · 14/09/2022 08:03

@Codingand36 - I live in Cornwall too so am not unaware of local issues. However my DC's school is not shite and as I said it's quite offensive to write off a whole county. Nowhere is without it's problems and challenges but there are also upsides to living here too.

Petronus · 14/09/2022 08:06

Given that dh may need to commute more and media is often a very London centric job I would make sure the commute was very do-able. How about Cambridge or Winchester?

Ifulikepinacoladas · 14/09/2022 08:11

I live on the South Coast, not a tourist location, and love it. Your budget would get you a great house down here. Good links to London. DH actually up there today for work.

Manekinek0 · 14/09/2022 08:14

Grantham. Easy to travel to London, has grammar schools and isn't too busy.

Hyacinth2 · 14/09/2022 08:17

I don't know what the state schools are like in Cumbria but there is a private school to the north side of Carlisle. I'm across the border and DCs travel to it as there none in SWScotland.
Brampton and the countryside along the A69 is nice, or go west towards the lakes. Train 4.5 hours from Carlisle to London.

PerfectlyPreservedQuagaarWarrior · 14/09/2022 08:19

Petronus · 14/09/2022 08:06

Given that dh may need to commute more and media is often a very London centric job I would make sure the commute was very do-able. How about Cambridge or Winchester?

I would too. There are lots of options I'd rule out if it's possible one of you is going to need to be in semi regular striking distance of London.

NightmareSlashDelightful · 14/09/2022 08:21

When you say commutable, do you mean (potentially) daily in case you both get called back into the office(s) longer term?

If so I’d try to stick within 30 or 45 minutes of the most handy London mainline station, to be honest. Cumbria and Cornwall are lovely places, but would be completely and family-wreckingly impractical if you or your DH suddenly need to commute daily again next year.

Hyacinth2 · 14/09/2022 08:21

Actually fastest train Carlisle. To London is nearer 3.5 hours.

Doingprettywellthanks · 14/09/2022 08:23

I asked about your daughters because your edlesdat has only just started her second year of secondary

and you started your op with “I’m fed up”

and that’s nasty? To wonder whether you may be fed up but others in your family aren’t.

KenAdams · 14/09/2022 08:27

Freckl · 14/09/2022 07:37

Market Harborough in Leicestershire is lovely. You won't get tonnes more for your money, but will remain well connected to London and I think you'll find it significantly easier to get around if you use a car in the East Mids, even at rush hour.

I live in Derbyshire and my commute is 21 miles - it takes 23 minutes. Kids' school 1.2 miles away is 6 minutes etc (if we don't walk obviously!)

Came on to say Market Harborough as well.

KenAdams · 14/09/2022 08:28

Doingprettywellthanks · 14/09/2022 07:23

I am guessing you don’t work and do school lifts and you’re a bit bored now with too much time on your hands now girls growing up?

This sort of behaviour needs calling out. You've come on just to be a twat. Why? Did it make you feel better? There's no need to be vile.

Doingprettywellthanks · 14/09/2022 08:33

KenAdams · 14/09/2022 08:28

This sort of behaviour needs calling out. You've come on just to be a twat. Why? Did it make you feel better? There's no need to be vile.

Show quote history

Agreed. I was OTT.

but it just screamed to me that the op was fed up but no where did she indicate anyone else in the family was

miserablecat · 14/09/2022 08:36

I asked about your daughters because your edlesdat has only just started her second year of secondary

Her children are 6 and 8 , which is primary school age? If OP and family moved now the DC would start secondary school in the new location.

Whatevergetsyouthroughthenight · 14/09/2022 08:37

OP if you fancy Somerset, Frome sounds good for you.

Lovely independent shops with an arty vibe, lovely countryside and a train station.

PeaceLily2000 · 14/09/2022 08:38

How about Warwickshire? An hour to London, but also central so good location for travelling all around UK.

Maybe Leamington Spa, Warwick - lots of lovely villages.

womma · 14/09/2022 08:56

I’d live to move out of London but no chance within the next few years. I’m always looking and wondering where would be good to move to.

Going west, Winchester, Cheltenham, Oxford areas all look good. Or going north, Cambridge area or (my favourite) York. All around an hour to London by train (almost two for York I think).

LionessesRules · 14/09/2022 09:25

We are 3 hrs on a direct line to London. 4beds, study, garden, drive, garage, 400k. Kids walk 15 mins to an outstanding school.
But it would take forever to get to your extended families. I suggest narrowing it down to distance from family, commute to London, and then start looking at areas and schools and prices.

Crikeyalmighty · 14/09/2022 09:58

I would have said Bath but see you think it's congested, so I would suggest Bradford on Avon or areas just outside Bath like Corsham etc- very easy to get into Bath but more for your money and more of a small town vibe but still pretty. Be aware for your kids though- it can be dull in smaller places- depends what they like doing

Otherwise I would suggest places like Wimborne in Dorset. Close to coast but lovely small town or maybe Chichester

womaninatightspot · 14/09/2022 10:07

Perthshire possibly too far for you but very uncongested. Excellent schools. Sleeper down to London. Surprising number of people do.

susan12345678 · 14/09/2022 10:20

I'm surprised people always recommend Market Harborough. I find it rather dull, the landscape around it is flat and featureless and nearby Leicester is so unappealing.

What about Dedham? Beautiful countryside, outstanding primary, village shops & about an hour into London from nearby Colchester or Manningtree.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/126718586#/?channel=RES_BUY

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