If you could live anywhere at all in the UK where would you choose?

[Draxing]

And why?

If you didn't have to factor in things like schools or family or employment, where would you go?

I can work from home, my dc have all left, I'm widowed, I have no other family - and I can feel a certain sense of recklessness creeping up on me where I want to just up sticks and move completely away! I was born and brought up in Wales (but don't know anyone in my home town any more), and currently live in the SE.

I have friends here but no one in the same situation as me, and many of them are planning to move away anyway when they retire.

I'd have a cottage in Jericho, Oxford, backing on to the river, and a seaside retreat too 😁
Perfect combination - lots of busy life, museums, cultural stuff and then retreat to the sea for a bit when it's time for some quiet coastal walks.

I would stay where I am , which is Kent . Close to London and Brighton for concerts / shows , nice countryside , close to the channel tunnel for going abroad .

For me it would be one of the small islands off of Ireland where the ferry only comes twice a week. I'd get my own little boat though just so I could pop to the mainland to buy more wine and chocolate whenever I fancied it.

York. It's a lovely small city, lots of history, lots to do, excellent rail transport links to the Midlands, London and Scotland. Still pretty prosperous compared to other small cities and large towns in the North. It's not just an aspiration. It's a move I'm definitely going to make once retired. Lots of potential day trips in the car to the small picturesque villages in the Yorkshire moors and dales, not far to the coast. What's not to like?? Only downer is the property prices which are continuing to rise to insane levels, so we'll be downsizing to a much smaller house to be able to afford it.

All those things @redtrain123 , same day GP appointments still, hospital and a NHS dentist.

Me too re getting old, one reason I wouldn't move from this place, although I might downsize here.

sounds perfect!

I’d ask you to name the town, but obviously you don’t want to out yourself, plus have hoardes of mumsnetters invading (although we’re all lovely).

Northumberland coast, near Embleton, Bamburgh, Craster. Just gorgeous

Northumberland coast. I have not been there just like the idea of it.

@NancyJoan
Central London. Marylebone if no-strings me could afford it. Walking distance to everything, always busy. Lovely.

I've always wanted to have a very expensive mews house in central London as a second home. Just for spending a week here and there, seeing shows, shopping etc. Don't fancy living there all the time, but part time would be great.

I grew up there and it's a gorgeous place

Too many choices! As far from large towns/cities as possible and by the sea (providing it's unpolluted).
Rhos-on-Sea, Aberystwyth, Newquay (Ceredigion), St David's, Moelfre, Bude, Tintagel, St. Ive's, Sidmouth, Lyme Regis
Sorry, could go on.

A flat like Poirot's but in Pimlico.

I think the budget makes a difference. It’s all very well saying Marylebone but if you’ve got 500k not 5m you might decide it’s better to spend your budget somewhere else. What’s the ballpark number?

I'd live in the most luxury apartment suite type cabin of the most luxurious cruise ship docked at Southampton or Portsmouth, which travelled all around the Caribbean and other beautiful warm places each week. I'd also have access to the right wrist bands for the all you can eat restaurant entry.

Isle of Islay

Hi OP, on a more serious note, maybe this will inspire you and I'm sorry for your loss...

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4984321-to-ask-you-to-show-me-your-beautiful-parts-of-the-country?page=1

Money no object - Bloomsbury

Reality - I'm about to move to Teesdale and I'm pretty excited.

I’m in Cornwall but I dream of living in Northumberland. I spend a lot of time there and I hate coming back to Cornwall 😭

I just feel healthier there. Asthma disappears and there are more opportunities.

Instead, I’m stuck in the butt end of the country and it takes hours to go somewhere “new”.

I love adventures, history, cities, moors, coast and feeling connected.

I’d live in Nigel Slater’s house in London. Without Nigel.

Sorry Nige.

I agree with York, having lived there for many years! I couldn't afford to get on the property ladder at the time so moved away but now would seriously consider going back once DDs have left home.

It's a small city but plenty going on and is very well connected by train so London or Edinburgh are both within easy reach. Loads of beautiful areas and coastline to explore in day trips and easy access to Leeds if you ever need bigger city amenities.

Edinburgh. Love the friendly people, the shows and culture, the history. All the pros of a big city but so close to beautiful country.

That's exactly why I love Kent as well. I'd love to spend some more time up North one day, for the friendliness and cheaper living, but for now, it's all so convenient here.

I live in London now and there's nowhere in the UK I'd prefer to be (although there are other cities overseas which I would prefer).

We live in Camden which I enjoy, but we moved here for schools. If they weren't a factor I would prefer Bloomsbury or Covent Garden.

If money was no object I'd live in Hampstead. It has such a lovely villagey feel.

Windsor.
It's gorgeous, close enough to London but close enough to the countryside. The castle, the Britishness of it, legoland.