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Original poster

Where in GB would you live?

109 replies

LifeInTheUK · 11/09/2023 17:55

For various reasons, I’m going to soon be able to move away from where I live (which I never settled in).
I can move anywhere within GB and I’d like somewhere

  • Not isolated
  • With a vibrant life (thinking museums, talks, cafes, yoga etc…rather than going out)
  • Good links to various towns (two dcs who live in two different town in the North of England)
  • Not crazily expensive to buy (yes I know I’m asking for the golden goose)
Where would you go?
OP posts:
Original poster
LifeInTheUK · 11/09/2023 19:46

808KateO · 11/09/2023 19:45

Glasgow

Could you tell me a bit more about why?

OP posts:
Mymumsthebest · 11/09/2023 19:49

Liverpool

808KateO · 11/09/2023 19:49

@LifeInTheUK It ticks every one of your boxes, although property is becoming pretty expensive. Only downside is that it's wetter, than say, Edinburgh. It's a wonderful city.

Lb603 · 11/09/2023 19:50

Edinburgh sounds like it would be right up your street!
good transport options, vibrant, loads to do. You could buy a little further out, leith, portobello way and drive into the centre in 15 mins :)

GameOverBoys · 11/09/2023 19:52

You don’t want to move as far as Newcastle but you are okay with Edinburgh? Edinburgh is also super expensive. You might need to be clearer in your criteria.
Personally I would move to the north east coast

Alpacasmum · 11/09/2023 19:57

No please do not look at Todmorden.
There is a reason you have not heard of it - and not in a good way.

Original poster
LifeInTheUK · 11/09/2023 19:59

Thank you all for the ideas. It’s very helpful!

OP posts:
Original poster
LifeInTheUK · 11/09/2023 20:01

@GameOverBoys i meant I’m not living that far away from Newcastle (aka relatively close to it)!

Happy to go ‘further north’ towards Edinburgh

OP posts:
seashaken · 11/09/2023 20:04

I live in Sheffield. The main thing it has going for it is that it's easy to get to some wonderful countryside (Peak District) and to other cities such as Leeds, Manchester and Nottingham. There are some nice areas in the south west of the city but the city centre is grim.

Pieceofpurplesky · 11/09/2023 20:05

LifeInTheUK · 11/09/2023 19:46

I’ve never been to Chester but the photos of town centre look beautiful!

Chester is a lovely city. Great places to eat, lots of gorgeous bars, a lot of new development like the market. The theatre is good, as is the Little Theatre. Lots of live music
Beautiful countryside, The Groves, near to North Wales, trains to Manchester and Liverpool.

Walking the walls on a frosty winter morning followed by a hot chocolate and/or glass of red!

AcclimDD · 11/09/2023 20:10

Where do your DC live?

Original poster
LifeInTheUK · 11/09/2023 20:11

Both at Uni atm So could move anywhere really in the next few years.

OP posts:
Gwenhwyfar · 11/09/2023 20:16

Chester's nice, but it's a bit boring. Apart from shopping there's not much to do. You can take the (slow!) train to Liverpool or go to Manchester, but Manchester at least is pretty cold and rainy. If I could choose I'd either go to a bigger city with museums etc. or to somewhere warm like Cornwall.

Itslookinggood · 11/09/2023 20:31

Op are you me!? In exactly the same boat, even down to never having settled in the NE (though quality of life is great).

own thinking/planning is:

  • needs to be city centre - suburbia won’t work
  • Somewhere with a university would be good, tends to be more going on of interest (to me, anyway)
  • transport links essential

so far I’m thinking Leeds, York, Manchester and if I could afford it, Oxford.

plus side is that will only need a flat, not a house.

any use in terms of suggestions?

moanybird · 11/09/2023 20:38

What's your rough budget OP? I live in Edinburgh and whilst it is expensive there are lots of options for different budgets and also lots of towns surrounding with good transport links.

LaSourisEstSurLaTable · 11/09/2023 20:41

I would suggest LeamIngton Spa, but it sounds more like you’re looking for city-size rather than town. Bristol?

museumum · 11/09/2023 20:50

Edinburgh ticks all your boxes but it is expensive.

Original poster
LifeInTheUK · 11/09/2023 21:05

@Itslookinggood yep it looks like we are on a similar boat 😄😄

OP posts:
Alargeoneplease89 · 11/09/2023 21:09

Ramsbottom, Rossendale, York, Clitheroe

Lagershandy · 11/09/2023 21:12

Durham?

blackpear · 11/09/2023 21:16

Worcester. I love Worcester.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 11/09/2023 22:37

Sheffield or Newcastle u Tyne

peebles32 · 11/09/2023 22:58

Depending on your budget I would go for Leeds or Harrogate. Leeds will be cheaper and has an amazing city centre. Lots of nice suburbs in the North and good rail and motorway links. Also Leeds and Bradford airport is close by.

Pieceofpurplesky · 11/09/2023 23:29

Gwenhwyfar · 11/09/2023 20:16

Chester's nice, but it's a bit boring. Apart from shopping there's not much to do. You can take the (slow!) train to Liverpool or go to Manchester, but Manchester at least is pretty cold and rainy. If I could choose I'd either go to a bigger city with museums etc. or to somewhere warm like Cornwall.

Boring? Really.
I am never bored as there is so much to do. The city is so beautiful that just walking around it is fabulous. And so much to do locally other than visit Manchester or Liverpool.

I guess I just like the simple things in life. And good food, gin and wine!

Titsywoo · 11/09/2023 23:41

I really liked Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool when I did a tour of the UK a couple of years ago. Newcastle seemed a bit grim and Sheffield was a dump.

We are looking to move in a couple of years and would also like to be near a city so following this thread with interest.