So tell me mumsnet - does where you live fit the bill?

[longcoffeebreak]

I have had this feeling for a while I want to start again somewhere new?

I dream of hilly trail running from (very near) my house with my dogs in a friendly town somewhere. But also being within 30 or so mins of a decent size city for arts/independent film/fun things to see and do. Low crime rate and beautiful. But not constantly raining!!

I'm 50, had a crap couple of years. Terminal illness in a family member, LTR break-up, working 3 jobs to pay the mortgage the biggest earning one of which I find terribly stressful. Single parent one child has SEN. Live in a small place which is beautiful but I'm on the sofa every evening on my own - totally bored and quite frankly a bit lonely. I feel unfulfilled.

On one level maybe I should just accept my lot and get on with it. I live in a nice, safe, clean location, it's just very expensive and socially isolated and lacks other job opportunities and stimulation.

I feel so trapped it has stuck me that I need to remember i do have choices. Both kids coming to end of education in next year and I have equity in my house.

So tell me mumsnet - does/could where you live fit the bill?

Absolutely go for the move! Somewhere with more going on and easier to manage bills.

Which country?

Malvern could fit the bill! Gorgeous, gorgeous scenery. The hills are fabulous for dog walking, Worcester, Cheltenham and Gloucester are all close by as is Birmingham.
It has a fabulous little theatre and cinema which gets some big name touring shows. In the last couple of years I’ve seen Six, sister Act, jersey Boys, the woman in black, Les mis and Heathers, an evening with Monty Don and the Hairy Bikers on tour. Fantastic independent shops on the high street and lots of clubs and sports facilities.

Edinburgh is an incredible city with a fab lively cultural scene. And the worlds biggest arts festival every year in August. But it's relatively compact and very easy to "get out of" and into beautiful countryside quickly.
And because it's east coast, it's not as wet as the west side of Scotland. It's said the wind blows the rain away

Dunbar to the east of Edinburgh is the sunniest place in Scotland I believe.
Beautiful Pentland hills that you can literally see from the Edinburgh bypass/ring road. Easy enough access from Edinburgh to the beauty of wild rural Scotland. And lots of places are dog friendly!

I live in Victoria BC Canada, it fits the bill. We have mountains, with loads of trails, beaches and forests, but also a capital city, and Vancouver and Seattle are just a ferry away.
We get rain for one half of the year.
It fits the bill for us.

Came here to say Edinburgh too! You could live next to Arthur’s seat and have the best of both worlds

Ilkley?

Ilkley, Skipton, Harrogate. Basically you need the Yorkshire Dales.

Surrey Hills? Somewhere around Dorking? Beautiful countryside, nice town, access to London.

Not cheap though

Monmouth - in an AONB, Wye Valley & Forest of Dean, beautiful friendly town with nice cafes and restaurants, within driving distance of Bristol, Cardiff. Fanbulous place to live.

Agree with this, beautiful countryside with most things available in the towns themselves, but great links to Leeds or York if you're fancying a day trip to somewhere a bit bigger.

What’s your budget and where do you fancy living?

Proper hills attract rain in most places unfortunately. Where I live, Dollar, does fit your bill apart from it can get a bit rainy and it's in Scotland ( and quite expensive too).

Lake District? It is rainy here though. One of my favourite trail running routes was along the Ridgeway - lots of beautiful places to live along that long route!

Llandeilo. I saw a woman doing just this with two dogs tied to her waist just this week running through Dinefwr park.

Beautiful , hilly, artsy but quite rainy.

Am very jealous of the poster in Victoria, BC. One of my favourite places.

Holmfirth/Marsden/Meltham /Penistone/Denby Dale, SW Yorkshire

I live in Kent and it’s pretty perfect , although may not be hilly enough for you ( there are hills) . It’s close to London , close to the coast , close to the continent and the weather is about as good as you get in the UK ( unless you want snow) .

Yes, most places in Yorkshire. As well as the Dales, and South Pennines, there's also the Peak District with access to Manchester or Sheffield (and Leeds) and also the North York Moors, maybe somewhere like Pickering, on the edge of the moors, but also reasonably close to York and Scarborough for arts etc.

I live on the London/Surrey borders. Everywhere round here is hilly - we are on the North Downs. London is a 30 min train ride away. Property is fairly pricey though

Lewes in Sussex?

Frome in Somerset? Near the Mendips, also near both Bristol and Bath plus lots going on in the town.

Northumberland. Somewhere like Morpeth or Hexham would fit the bill.

I can relate as I feel totally stuck in a rut where I am. And I am so sick of RAIN.

I've decided to decamp to spain and am off soon!

I was going to suggest Malvern too!

Edinburgh. Hilly city with Pentland Hills to the south.