Any female lawyers on here? Moving elsewhere

[Berlioze]

Please hear me out. I'm seriously thinking about a fresh start in a different part of the country (England).

I'm a senior lawyer (regional corporate firm), formerly City, I have an Oxbridge degree (if it's of any relevance). Pretty well established now, I have good clients and contacts but the firm is underperforming on the whole and some of it affecting my figures and ability to get to partnership (LD now). It doesn't look like things will improve anytime soon for a variety of reasons and I don't want to be slowed down in my progression. This is the best firm in my line of work (I don't want to be too specific as it would be outing), but essentially a move to a local competitor isn't an option and I would be worse off as well. I don't have family locally, so no strings attached as such.

I have a young DS, due to start school in a couple of years. I have pets too and love being outdoors with DS/Ddog. I also enjoy being close to theatres, various cultural events and the general hustle and bustle, but not in the middle of it all, I don't need to live in a city, but nearby is fine.

Where would you move to that is nice to live with good schools (but not extortionately expensive) and with decent job market in a commercial law firm/in house within a reasonable commute?

Thoughts and experiences much appreciated!

How about the south coast. Sea, South Downs, theatres in Southampton and Chichester, museums, the Roman Palace at Fishbourne, links to Portsmouth, Southampton, Brighton.

Near Bristol maybe. Decent firms in Bristol and lots of lovely areas of countryside around it. Could live in Bath and commute in maybe.

Thank you for the suggestions so far! Please keep them coming.

I'd be very interested to have some opinions from the Midlands and the North as well (I am pretty familiar with SW).

I also don't know if considering somewhere nearer to London and working in the City again would be too wild now.

Just interested in your opinions and experiences as this would be a big change for me, especially now I have DS to consider.

Somewhere with striking distance of Manchester might be a good bed. There are some naice areas up there, all the convenience of the city plus beautiful countryside and plenty of culture.

Tonbridge or Sevenoaks

Go to where you know. You could go up to Oxford area for example. Then it's not such a big change. Chichester is a very nice place and lots to do, good schools etc. I am sure there would be a lot of work available. I feel it's a mistake to go too far Away. Lots of people go to the west country but return again after a few years.

Newcastle area, live north of the Tyne in Northumberland, the quality of life is amazing. Or anywhere from the Yorkshire Coast up to Durham coast as well.