Relocation - have we considered everywhere or do you have any other ideas?!

[nellyelloe]

Hello!
So for very personal reasons, we have planned to totally relocate (away from England). It's been a very long time coming, but the right time is next year and we are so excited.

We have a few essentials to consider, mainly universal healthcare because both me and our child are T1 diabetic.

We also want somewhere very pretty, with a slower pace of life.

I want to know if we are missing other places to consider. This is our once in a life time chance. So far, we have considered (and obviously have been to) these places:

-West Wales
-North Wales
-Isle of Man
-Channel Islands
-Scottish isles (inner and outer Hebrides)

We are happy to go further or consider literally anywhere!

Donaghadee is lovely.

Wouldn't be my first choice just at the moment...

I think that Larne house is CGI.

Somewhere like Nairn might suit you in Moray.
Beautiful beaches, nice small town, still rural with easy access to the Cairngorms. It's got a railway station so easy to get into Inverness or down to Aberdeen for concerts (can go to Dyce for the exhibition centre)
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/133142774#/?channel=RES_BUY

@nellyelloe Larne is like Skeggie so stay away. Tbf skeggie is nicer.

@SheriffCallie it's not exactly somewhere which could be called inclusive and diverse so id recommend so someone wanting to relocate here- given the other places they could live which has less sectarianism. The town itself is quite depressing and with the Irish Sea border protests the flegs that have gone up in protest it isn't particularly appealing.

On the basis of my SIL who re-located from Kent to Scotland I would go nowhere that is dependent on a ferry. Out of all the places you have listed, I personally would prefer West Wales.

Fair enough @turtlemurtle1982, and I’m sorry if you’ve had difficulty in the town. That hasn’t been my experience of it, my neighbours are Protestant, Catholic, and neither, so inclusivity hasn’t been a problem for me. In fact, thinking about my direct neighbours, none are originally from NI. It’s not the most ethnically diverse place, but the same accusation could be levelled at many similar sized towns in NI. And same for the sea border posters, they aren’t an exclusively Larne phenomenon, and most residents simply ignore them. There was a feud related shooting in Bangor a while back, and it’s all kicking off in North Down atm, so it seems a bit off to be sneering just at Larne.
I don’t think it’s ‘grim’ at all. It’s suffering from a lot of the same issues that many U.K. towns are, but has a mix of council estates and very attractive areas. The coastline is beautiful and the areas to the north are exceptionally lovely, and good value for money. We’ve lived in many parts of the U.K. due to work contracts (excepting Wales) and this is by far the most scenic.

Thanks so much everyone for all this help.

We've now added, and booked week long stays in:

-Northern Ireland (staying near Ballycastle) -Inverness

I never considered Inverness but looks like good education, hospitals etc

I agree about the ferry problems in Scotland would put me off the islands. It’s not just the impact on you if you want to leave but also supplies getting in. Friends in Shetland posted photos of empty Tesco shelves recently after no deliveries for over a week. May have been weather related. I guess you get a big freezer and prep for such events though

Empty shelves is island living full stop. It’s not unique to Scotland. The weather is indeed the biggest issue - a storm can mean a couple of days without deliveries. It’s not the end of the world, just something to learn to live with.

Yep, I’d avoid anywhere ferry dependent.

@nellyelloe Northern Ireland has certain advantages at moment too - lovely if you get the right place.

I hope you're bringing/hiring a car if you're staying out at Ballycastle. Bit out on the edge there. There's the Antim coast goldline bus, and I think a bus line to Belfast, but you're a long way off the train routes.

I definitely would recommend Northern Ireland. Your budget will go far and you'll be able to get a lovely family home for 400k. It's not a big place anyway, but if you want to stay within east reach of Belfast you could look out the coast to Bangor and Donaghadee. There are lots of new houses being built in Ballyclare and it's popular with commuters to Belfast, also close to the hospitals in Belfast and also Antrim hospital. Lisburn is popular too, and Moira is a lovely town.

www.propertypal.com/1-vester-cove-millisle-road-donaghadee/774724

This one is lovely for your budget

@confusedlots that's a very lovely house !!!!

I’m told that north and west wales are crap for type 1 care, people travel to Liverpool to avoid it.

I’d consider the village of Mumbles. There are hospitals nearby and it’s easy to get to Cardiff on the train for gigs.

@CatsGinAndTwiglets
Really? Does that include Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire? 😬

Mumbles looks beautiful! I couldn't see many houses for sale but we are going to stop by there when we visit Wales again this summer

That is beautiful!!!!!!! I can't believe how much you get for your money!