Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

I live here?

206 replies

ButternutSoup · 30/09/2023 21:53

My husband and I are South African and are immigrating to the UK (with an ancestry visa as my grandmother is British). While we were researching nice places to live, we stumbled upon this funny website called ilivehere.co.uk, where people write scathing reviews of their towns/cities. It must be satire, as nearly every town is made out to be some kind of crime-infested hellhole, which can't be true.

Some of the reviews do seem to contain elements of truth, I'm sure, but which ones? I've always had a romantic notion of living in the Scottish Highlands, but the "I Live Here" review makes it seem like the setting of The Hills Have Eyes.

Can anyone here recommend nice towns/suburbs? Our three criteria are: low crime rate, clean air, and house prices that are not clown-shoes expensive. We don't care that much about weather (my irritatingly pale skin has had enough sunshine for a lifetime and every time I go to the dermatologist his warnings become more severe), so maybe somewhere up north would be nice?

Between the gushing estate agent write-ups and the pessimistic "I Live Here" reviews, I don't know what to believe.

I live here?
OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
PhotoDad · 01/10/2023 21:32

A guarantor agrees to pay your rent if you default. BUT don't panic, there are some companies that will do this for you, for a premium; it's a type of insurance.

Original poster
ButternutSoup · 01/10/2023 21:39

thereisnotachance · 01/10/2023 16:19

I was passing through Joburg airport recently and browsing the bookstore I came across a book which was advice for South Africans emigrating to the UK. I must say it made me chuckle. Perhaps having lived here and being of British heritage you might get 'us' more than this book suggested but it did sound like there was a huge cultural and language gap between SA and the UK. Is that true do you think? Is there anything you're not sure about apart from where to live?

I'd like to read that book, do you remember the title? I worked and travelled around the UK for two years after high school, and it's true, the culture shock is real! SAns are known in the UK to be quite loud, opinionated and obnoxious haha. And we white SAns have an especially bad reputation, not without reason I think.

But those are of course generalisations. My grandmother came to SA when she was in her 20s and she kept her British ways and culture, and so I absorbed a lot of that. I also went to school in an English speaking area where most of us were second or third generation.

But we will still need to work on our cultural assimilation and it will probably take some time. Also my husband is half-Afrikaans, mortal enemies of the British haha! But he loves all sorts of British culture, media, history, humour etc.

OP posts:
Original poster
ButternutSoup · 01/10/2023 21:43

ButternutSoup · 01/10/2023 21:39

I'd like to read that book, do you remember the title? I worked and travelled around the UK for two years after high school, and it's true, the culture shock is real! SAns are known in the UK to be quite loud, opinionated and obnoxious haha. And we white SAns have an especially bad reputation, not without reason I think.

But those are of course generalisations. My grandmother came to SA when she was in her 20s and she kept her British ways and culture, and so I absorbed a lot of that. I also went to school in an English speaking area where most of us were second or third generation.

But we will still need to work on our cultural assimilation and it will probably take some time. Also my husband is half-Afrikaans, mortal enemies of the British haha! But he loves all sorts of British culture, media, history, humour etc.

Show quote history

Sorry I forgot to say, yes there are a few things I'm not sure of, eg, I'd love to end up in Scotland, but I have an English sounding accent, will that prejudice people against me? My great grandfather was Scottish so I feel a pull towards Scotland, but don't want people to make assumptions based on my silly colonial accent (which will hopefully fade).

OP posts:
Original poster
ButternutSoup · 01/10/2023 21:47

Idratherbepaddleboarding · 01/10/2023 16:31

Sounds like it’s meant to be! You will of course have to pick up your dog poo as it’s a requirement of living here that you immediately get a Labrador (working of course), springer or cocker spaniel (we chose Labrador) 😂.

Good, I love Labradors. But my husband prefers small yapper type dogs, so we'll need to get both. And of course our two cats will still reign supreme.

OP posts:
reallyunderstandsometimes · 01/10/2023 22:08

Surrey, Sussex & Hampshire

Original poster
ButternutSoup · 01/10/2023 22:17

PensionPuzzle · 01/10/2023 21:11

I was coming to recommend Worcestershire (preferably the east to give better city/transport options) so with that criterion in mind can I commend to you 'Bell End' in the north of the county? Probably not much rental stock there though unfortunately.

Malvern was where my mind first went for you, though.

Well perhaps one day we can buy in Bell End!

OP posts:
PurpleSproutingSomething · 01/10/2023 22:27

You could have views of Royston Vasey itself for £1k

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/140500847#/?channel=RES_LET

sadeyedladyofthelowlandsea · 01/10/2023 22:35

@VWdieselnightmare I was going to suggest Penarth! I've never lived there, but my uncle & aunt did years ago, and I always thought it had a really nice feel to it when I visited, as well as being so close to Cardiff. It had the feel of self-sufficient suburb.

OP, a SA friend of mine has done exactly what you're planning (ancestry passport) and he & his wife went through all sorts of nonsense getting her visa. In the end, he had to come over on his own & it took 6 months for her to be able to join him. They ended up in Manchester, and absolutely love it. His wife says 'I can't believe I can just walk to the shop on my own after dark, and not feel scared!' The long term plan is for them to move to Scotland, but for now, they're very happy where they are and feel like they've got some breathing space. I really hope it goes well for you. Having been in SA quite a long time ago, it's honestly awful to hear how downhill things have gone when there was such hope.

BinturongsSmellOfPopcorn · 01/10/2023 22:46

ButternutSoup · 01/10/2023 21:02

I'd just like to add, if someone could suggest a town with a funny name, like Twatt, which I think is in the Shetland Islands, you will get double points. I laughed so much when I read Bill Bryson's list of funny UK place names 'Notes from a Small Island'

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/140013119#/?channel=RES_LET

Check out this 3 bedroom terraced house for rent on Rightmove

3 bedroom terraced house for rent in Challoner Street, Cockermouth, CA13 for £750 pcm. Marketed by Grisdales Estate Agents, Cockermouth

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/140013119#/?channel=RES_LET

Original poster
ButternutSoup · 01/10/2023 22:56

BinturongsSmellOfPopcorn · 01/10/2023 22:46

Show quote history

Now we're talking.

OP posts:
Original poster
ButternutSoup · 01/10/2023 22:59

BinturongsSmellOfPopcorn · 01/10/2023 22:51

Too subtle. It needs to be blatantly silly or rude. Like you're making a Freudian slip every time you tell someone your address.

OP posts:
Original poster
ButternutSoup · 01/10/2023 23:01

sadeyedladyofthelowlandsea · 01/10/2023 22:35

@VWdieselnightmare I was going to suggest Penarth! I've never lived there, but my uncle & aunt did years ago, and I always thought it had a really nice feel to it when I visited, as well as being so close to Cardiff. It had the feel of self-sufficient suburb.

OP, a SA friend of mine has done exactly what you're planning (ancestry passport) and he & his wife went through all sorts of nonsense getting her visa. In the end, he had to come over on his own & it took 6 months for her to be able to join him. They ended up in Manchester, and absolutely love it. His wife says 'I can't believe I can just walk to the shop on my own after dark, and not feel scared!' The long term plan is for them to move to Scotland, but for now, they're very happy where they are and feel like they've got some breathing space. I really hope it goes well for you. Having been in SA quite a long time ago, it's honestly awful to hear how downhill things have gone when there was such hope.

Thank you, and I'm glad it worked out for them.

OP posts:
Pieceofpurplesky · 01/10/2023 23:01

Cheshire has the beautiful scenery and fresh air - driving distance to Manchester, Liverpool and Chester for work.

Chester is a lovely place to live (just avoid the city centre when it's the races!)

Icequeen01 · 01/10/2023 23:04

StowOnTheWold · 30/09/2023 22:52

Stow-on-the-Wold?

I love Stow on the Wold!

Original poster
ButternutSoup · 01/10/2023 23:06

PurpleSproutingSomething · 01/10/2023 22:27

You could have views of Royston Vasey itself for £1k

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/140500847#/?channel=RES_LET

As long as I don't have to rent from 'Pop'

OP posts:
BinturongsSmellOfPopcorn · 01/10/2023 23:20

Penistone is subtle?

BinturongsSmellOfPopcorn · 01/10/2023 23:23

You're not going to be interested in Nether Wallop, then.

DigbyTheDigger · 02/10/2023 11:27

Shame you can't be tempted by Co Donegal, you could buy this house in Muff, not too far from Muff Diving Club.

24 Wheatfield, Muff - PropertyPal

This 3 Bed Semi-Detached House Sale Is Located At 24 Wheatfield, Muff. Find Out More Inside.

https://www.propertypal.com/24-wheatfield-muff/844257

Alighttouchonthetiller · 02/10/2023 11:41

Another vote for Northumberland.

Further south, Lincoln now has direct links to London and as a cathedral city/University town is pretty and has plenty going on. House prices aren't too horrific.

Ilovemydoggie · 02/10/2023 11:58

How about Salisbury? It’s 1.5 hrs from London on the train.

Beautiful architecture and lots of fabulous countryside close by. You can get a two bedroom house with garden for under £200,000.

Crikeyalmighty · 02/10/2023 12:08

@Ilovemydoggie that would be one of my picks too for a cheaper home in a pleasant area. Good retail too and love the market in the square. We live in Bath but pop there on occasional Saturdays and I like it

thereisnotachance · 07/10/2023 17:06

I'd like to read that book, do you remember the title?

Sorry, no. It might have been in 'Exclusive Books' (Duty Free Mall?). Go to the back of the store! It had quite a literal title. Not sure which part of O.R. Tambo.

As for accents, yes there can be regionalism ...sometimes curiosity, sometimes a bit narky. You sound like you've got a positive, friendly attitude so you'll be OK!

Deathraystare · 10/10/2023 09:06

Obvs most places are going to have some crime, some more than others, even if it is down to pinching kickers off the washing line!! I used to live in Peckham (South East London) and everyone who heard this was shocked I would live there. Honestly it was fine. I would regularly walk home late, no problem. What was a problem was getting the bus from Victoria to Camberwell. The cheeky youths who would get on and be aghast that they would have to pay! For a time we had conductors and they would be punched often.

Mind you, I also lived near Croydon and hated the place. I was glad when my Aunt (rip) moved away from there to be nearer her family in Hampshire. I don't think I would like Hackney or Tottenham for instance.

I have heard good things of Hertfordshire though.