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Original poster

If I love York and Exeter - where should I move to in the SE

105 replies

BromleyBR1nightbus · 20/09/2022 19:53

Just that really. I am a quiet bookish mum with a small family.

We love places like Truro, Exeter, York and Durham. I love history, space, a river, books, character blaaaa blah blah

We need to move back to the South East for work and be within 1.5hours train journey from Liverpool St, London.

The last time we lived IN London we lived in the skyscraper - Ontario Tower. Which is was amazing and fun at the time. But I'm now older with young children and I don't think I can face being too near the City.

Definitely no closer than Bromley! (Although I love Bromley!)

Budget £450k which I know is low for the area ...

OP posts:
Kpo58 · 20/09/2022 20:04

How big a house do you need? What nearby amenities are you looking for? How old are the kids/what type of schools are you looking for?

Original poster
BromleyBR1nightbus · 20/09/2022 20:10

Sorry for missing the vital info!

We need a 3 bed semi. With a garden. Some little shops nearby - we don't need to be near a supermarket. But a short bus trip or walk to a nice high street with bookshops, cafes, delis and hairdressers etc.

Children are Yr2 and Yr3. But it would be nice to be near a good swimming pool and tennis facilities too.

We love cycling and walking. So safe cycle paths are a must! 😊 DH and I also love running.

Feels like I'm asking for too much!

OP posts:
Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 20/09/2022 20:12

Canterbury?

MissDollyMix · 20/09/2022 20:16

Hertford?

Cockerdileteeth · 20/09/2022 20:18

Winchester - 1 hour into Waterloo?

teawamutu · 20/09/2022 20:18

Colchester?

Pootles34 · 20/09/2022 20:19

Seconding Hertford, although budget might be a bit tight.

Original poster
BromleyBR1nightbus · 20/09/2022 20:19

Thanks everyone! Canterbury immediately caught my eye. Can anyone tell me what it's like? 😊

OP posts:
2reefsin30knots · 20/09/2022 20:22

Windsor

nicknamehelp · 20/09/2022 20:23

Ely in Cambridgeshire or Cambridge

NotMyDayJob · 20/09/2022 20:23

Canterbury

2reefsin30knots · 20/09/2022 20:24

I would love to live in Canterbury though, if I could live inside the city walls.

Oxford?

gizmo · 20/09/2022 20:25

Hmmm. Cambridge is probably a good vibe for you, but you won't get very close to the city centre for that. However you could have a look in areas like Cherry Hinton or Mill Road where things do pop up (and it's a 20 minute bike ride to city centre or train station).

Twizbe · 20/09/2022 20:25

Ely or Cambridge - trains to Liverpool Street.

Openup · 20/09/2022 20:25

Lewes

Original poster
BromleyBR1nightbus · 20/09/2022 20:28

Cambridge sounds perfect. I assumed it would be a no go. I'm OK with not being near the City centre so I'll check it out.

Honestly, I don't know what happened. I even once lived in Shoreditch.

It was like I woke up one day, and couldn't stand noise, crowds and traffic 😳

OP posts:
princessbear80 · 20/09/2022 20:29

Ware, the town next to Hertford, which is a bit quieter and slightly cheaper.

Direct line to Liverpool Street.
Independent book shop, plus book groups.
Loads of cafes and hairdressers.
On the River Lea and the New River, so loads of cycling/walking nearby.
Good schools.
Lido for swimming, which is being renovated this year. Plus local council pool.
Plenty of history too.
Very friendly!

princessbear80 · 20/09/2022 20:30

Reading your latest update, I think Cambridge will be too busy for you!

unicormb · 20/09/2022 20:30

Definitely Canterbury

Biscuitsneeded · 20/09/2022 20:31

Saffron Walden. Really beautiful.

ideasmirrour · 20/09/2022 20:32

Ely sounds very much up your street.

Original poster
BromleyBR1nightbus · 20/09/2022 20:33

Thank you for your honesty @princessbear80 - I really appreciate it x

I've not heard of some of these places! I'm loving Googling them all

Thanks everyone 😊

OP posts:
2reefsin30knots · 20/09/2022 20:35

Salisbury might also float your boat.

Hastingsontheup · 20/09/2022 20:37

What about Rye ?

usernamenotaccepted · 20/09/2022 20:38

Canterbury. Huge student population. Disappointing high street. Major traffic issues around the ring road. Graffiti!!!! Lots of primary and secondary schools including grammar schools. Lovely villages surrounding the City. Not sure where you'd get a decent 3 bed house for your budget right in Canterbury. Do lots of research of the areas where housing has been developed