Where in GB would you live?

[LifeInTheUK]

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?

Adel.

Another vote for Shipley Baildon Bingley Saltaire. Absolutely beautiful, great for culture of alsorts, down to earth and friendly. Leeds is not my cup of tea but it really depends on what sort of person you are. I enjoy the real sense of community around Bradford and the stunning green spaces. It's not for everyone though.

Dundee isn't the driest city in the UK

A bit left field OP, but how about Pitlochry? It's a lovely, thriving town and well connected by road and rail. It's cold in winter mind you!

Leeds
York
Durham
Hexham

Personally I would go for Hexham but for a older city feel then York, for a younger city feel then Leeds with Durham a bit of all of the above.

OK, well I'm looking for more than just walking around. Nice on holiday, you can visit the cathedral or take a boat on the river. Zoo is good, but not many museums.

Liverpool has much more to do than Chester, but I think you can get a cold wind from the port.

Bit baffled at you finding Newcastle depressing. Of all adjectives, I'd never have landed on that one. The city centre is full of beautiful Georgian golden sandstone buildings, the RSC perform a season there every year, as well as it having a good rep and small theatre companies, and gateshead sage for music. Jesmond Dene is a magical river valley park with waterfalls and ruins. There are several art galleries and museums. famous bands and comedians always visit. There's the Lit & Phil for talks and a thriving literary scene, two unis, long sandy beaches 10 minutes drive away and stunning hiking inland.

Market Harborough - lovely bustling town, close to leicester for lots of theatre, music and diversity, nice countryside

good transport both to london and north

Liverpool or Carlisle.

What's your housing budget and what do you hope to get for it?

Edinburgh is lovely but expensive. A 2 bed near city centre flat will be at least 250/300k plus. Housing way more.

Easy. Hexham.
Loads going on, cheap, great pubs, good transport links, lots of culture, amazing countryside.

How interesting that absolutely everywhere that's been suggested is in the north of England or Scotland. I'm not disagreeing by the way, as I think the quality of life is much better there than in the south.

Bristol often gets mentioned on threads like these but I have no experience to back that suggestion up.

I live in a small city in the south east that I love living in (city centre) but I'm not sure it has enough going on for what you want OP.

North Berwick or Dunbar might suit and both are a short train ride from Edinburgh but house prices are on a par which Edinburgh (which I’d class as expensive)

@TotalOverhaul
I'm a regular visitor but haven't lived in Newcastle since my uni days in the 90's but I've always found it to be vibrant and friendly. It never seemed to wallow in its industrial decline (unlike many northern cities/towns) and retained a thriving centre and healthy going out culture. It's not all tacky Bigg Market bars there is theatre, indy cinema, museums, galleries and loads or live music. It has a few grotty areas but everywhere does even 'up market' cities have their run down parts.

My DH makes me laugh, his sister lives there and he hates going. Says it's full of workshy freeloaders. I think it's a bit bleak, you can certainly find a nicer place.

Glasgow has everything you are looking for. Much cheaper than Edinburgh but you can get there on the train in less than an hour if you want to visit. The West End in particular is a lovely place to live. Edinburgh is lovely too but expensive as PP have said.

The outskirts of Edinburgh - East Lothian or Midlothian.

If I had my time again (and perhaps when the children have left) I’d seriously consider the Wirral. Lovely beaches, very easy hop to Liverpool and Chester (and Manchester also very doable). Housing seems reasonably priced. Easy access to the motorways and not far from West Coast Mainline stations.

Thank you.
All really helpful.
And yes it’s interesting how most of tte places mentioned are the north of England….

I was somehow expecting places such as bristol, Manchester, Cambridge etc… so it’s a bit if a surprise to not see any of them here.

So far my favourite places are York and Edinburgh Wo a doubt.
i had a very quick look at fiats and I could but but a 2 bed flat in both places. Maybe not quite in the centre for Edinburgh but yes all doable.

If you'd like to consider the SW
Salisbury Wiltshire might fit your criteria

I lived in Cambridge. Personally it wasn’t for me. Beautiful city but felt academic if that makes sense. Plus it’s expensive.

Liverpool

Darlington?

Or Stirling?