Where should I move to??

[FeistyFrankie]

I’ve returned to the UK after some years abroad and I’m faced with a little dilemma.

I have lots of friends in a city that I used to live in. Back when I lived there, it was super cheap. While I’ve been away, however, property prices have skyrocketed and it’s now quite expensive getting on the property ladder there. However whenever I’m there it’s really lovely catching up with everyone and they’ve made it clear they would love it if I moved back there. I also have a family member who lives there, who I’m also very close to.

On the other hand I have been planning on moving to a city that is far, far more affordable. It has a great music scene, and It’s much more affordable and I’m quite excited by the idea of moving somewhere new.

However, I’m in my early forties now and I don’t know how easy it’ll be to get settled in a brand new city in which I don’t know anyone at all. Is it worth it for a decent house? Or should I be prioritizing the city that I lived in before, that has lots of friends and some of my family in it?

Im really torn. Any ideas/suggestions would be great. Thanks 😊

So far, the advantages of your old city seem to be limited to the presence of old friends. Are there other advantages to living there?

You've mentioned two important advantages to the new city - affordability and a great music scene.
Sounds like there's an argument for buying a great place in the new city and keeping in touch with the old friends. Imo, if you made friends once, you can make them again, especially if you get involved in the music world.

That’s a good point. It’s a great city - lots of independent shops, great nightlife, countryside walks not too far away to get to. Great weather. Etc. I just feel like I’ve lived there already and I’m not really drawn to going back. But I know I’d have a great social life if I did, ready and waiting for me if that makes sense!

New city has much of the same as the old one, but it’s way cheaper. So I think my quality of life would be better there.

Interesting. Yes, the social life would be sorted in the old city, but it's never good to be house-poor.

Here's a question - why is the new area cheaper? Is it further from useful things? Is the housing stock less desirable in some way? What's the outlook for the future in the new area - you are making an investment, after all.

The only thing I would say is that it's not usually very easy to make new friends in your 40's and a social circle seems to be important to you (it is to most people)! I live in Bristol which is a vibrant, arty city with a great music scene and therefore has drawn people from all over the UK to live here. Many of them (young professionals in their 20's) are struggling to make connections. Work from home hasn't helped. However, you might be a social magnet in which case go for the cheaper housing option.