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?

South Dublin/Wicklow. Although it rains a lot...

100% Edinburgh!

Eastbourne is everything you mention, OP. One of the sunniest spots in the UK, lovely beach (shingle, but sand and rockpools when the tide is out) surrounded by the South Downs national park. Easy access to woodland and coastal footpaths. Lots of beautiful views. 3 theatres, the Towner art gallery (hosting the Turner prize) regular transport to Brighton and London. Meads is particularly nice. Quiet and safe but walkable to town and beach. Beautiful villages just outside like Alfriston and East Dean if you prefer rural. Being in the South East, it is pricey though.

Avoid South Linc's if you want rolling hills. It is as flat as a pancake here. 🙂

Another vote for the beautiful Dales.

Anywhere along the South Downs or between Bath and Bristol?

I live in Bath so has all that in spades- but is not cheap

Would Godalming fit the bill?

@Doliveira I do love Godalming!! And yep Guildford has what the OP wants too.

Another vote for Ilkley

The Dales without a doubt. Have a holiday there first and I defy you not to fall in love.

Ilkley would be good if you have a decent budget. Quite a bit going on locally and good train service to Leeds, by Not London standards anyway.

Plus it has a Booths. And normal price supermarkets if you're not a millionaire.

Central Belt Scotland, you could go somewhere outside either Glasgow or Edinburgh. Or in between them. Stirling is within half an hour train to Glasgow, and about 45 mins to Edinburgh I think. Dunblane is also on main line. Loads of options around both cities.

I'd move to Edinburgh if I could. Beautiful ancient city with spectacular surroundings.

Wirral.

Go and live in the Chiltern Hills. Lots of hilly trails minutes from your doorstep, Aylesbury, Watford and Wycombe are all within a half hour's drive and if you're desperate for London, if you live in Amersham or Chesham, it's on the tube and the Chiltern Railway and you can be there in no time.

It's friendly, an AONB and we even have our own weather system so sometimes rain or thunderstorms miss us completely...

Cheshire - Macclesfield and that "neck of the woods", so Whaley bridge, castleton, Bakewell etc. Fit the bill and also have good trains to Manchester etc

I might downgrade Edinburgh to 85% because you mentioned affordable housing!
it rather depends what you’re used to…..if you’re coming from london or the London commuter belt then you’ll think it’s cheap, but from many other places you’ll be shocked because it is definitely not always cheap “up north”! But…..quality of life n all that!

I was going to suggest Lewes. Within walking/running distance of the South Downs, quick train ride to Brighton and the coast. Lots of community events and groups. I could go on 🙂

Rural Wiltshire north of Salisbury? As much running as you want, nice local town, 30 mins to Southampton.

Not sure we can do much about the weather though 😀

Brecon would fit the bill, but to get the lush green hills does mean a bit of rain!

Interested in people saying Edinburgh. I was shocked at how run down the centre was on a couple of recent trips. Lots of empty shops and homelessness.

The Eastern side of Scotland is much drier than the central belt, and especially the West. Dundee is the sunniest place in Scotland, but I wouldnt recommend there. Perthshire maybe?

Or how about Northumberland? You've got less rain, great scenery, coast is within reach and you've got Newcastle.

West Wirral.

Hoylake / West Kirby / Caldy / Thurstaston / Heswall.

Agree re Edinburgh but property is very expensive. And you say you don't want constant rain so that rules out Glasgow unfortunately!

The empty shops are because there’s a shiny new shopping mall at the end of princes street! Doesn’t every town centre have empty shops and homeless people??