If you were in your early 30s and single, where would you move to?

[bridgetalones]

I currently live in my hometown just outside of London. It's the only place I've ever lived, but all of my school friends and university friends have moved on. I'm single and don't have much of a social life. It's just my parents who are here. I work fully remotely. I'm still saving to buy my first property, but even a one bedroom studio is barely affordable for me (£190k+).

I was chatting to someone recently and they said if they were in my boots they would move away and have a fresh start. I get what they mean. I think in a fresh city I would feel more inclined to make an effort to build a life.

So I thought I'd ask on here. If you were in my situation, where would you move? It's just me and my dog. I don't like clubbing or bars. I like being near nature while still having conveniences near by. If money wasn't an option I'd lean towards places like Winchester, the New Forest and Bath. But they're all (understandably) expensive. Sometimes I fantasise about the depths of Cornwall or up in the Scottish highlands...

Some of these places mentioned are still really quite expensive.

Was looking at house prices in St Omer and they were much cheaper than Manchester and less than an hr from the tunnel. If I had a remote job and family in London it would be a serious consideration.

Sheffield is lively and has gorgeous countryside on the doorstep. I might consider moving there.

But I'd probably move to somewhere like Whitley Bay on the Northumbrian coast. It has gorgeous beaches, cafes, markets, festivals, an indie cinema, and there seems to be a very friendly community there - community gardening, community carnivals, poetry readings in cafes. There's a good swimming pool and skating rink, surf clubs and a short drive away there is imo the most beautiful countryside in the UK, with loads of history: Hadrian's wall, Alnwick Castle, Holy Island, not to mention the wildlife - red squirrels, shores lined with seals.

If you want culture, Newcastle is 30 mins away by train with several theatres including an RSC season, art galleries, incredible music venues.

You could get a 2 bed flat for £190k there, and have a lodger with up to 7.5k tax free to help cover the costs, and to be company if you find the right person.

If you like nature i think i’d choose the Lake District or the Yorkshire Dales, i’m planning a big move and like you still trying to decide where i should go. It’s not an easy decision.

Edinburgh definitely I always say it’s one place I would want to live if I was younger..I see it’s already been mentioned or if you want to move country what about Ireland

I moved to Tokyo (with work) in a similar situation (albeit, no dog), and ended up there for 10 years, coming home married (albeit to another Brit!).

Edinburgh isn’t a bad shout - though anywhere in Scotland does come with additional tax. I think I would definitely be looking North or West given you like nature / the outdoors.

i’d also consider a not 100% remote role so that you meet more people in person.

Thank you everyone - so many great ideas. I'll work through them this evening. I work fully remotely, although if I had to take another job in my field all the offices tend to be in London and Manchester, occasionally Oxford and Cambridge.

Edinburgh was somewhere I was considering but I've never even visited (!); I think I need to book some staycations at some of your suggestions to get a feel for the different places.

Worcester

Liverpool or Glasgow

Liverpool is a great city. And you can get to the coast or countryside easily too.

I would do short term rentals in some cheap countries, and just spend time abroad

Definitely Liverpool. The people there are so friendly, it's a fun city with everything you need, plus easy access to the countryside and the sea.

I'd go to Stockholm if I could. I don't speak Swedish and it would be tricky to just move there without a job first but it's where I'd most like to live if I was 30 and single.

Any big city. In Europe - Spain or Italy. Italy, especially - Italian guys are gorgeous.

If I had my time over and your circumstances, I would buy the studio flat and rent it out - the value will increase greatly in the Home Counties while you're doing other things, so you can buy something better afterwards. Then go and live abroad somewhere, learn a language, push yourself out of your comfort zone. Enjoy your footloose and fancy free lifestyle before you get tied down by commitments like supporting elderly parents or having a family (if that's what you want).

Best idea so far

Barcelona

Do you want to live in a big city? A lot of towns these days have a lot going on and are expanding so much to meet housing demands I think you can get a better lifestyle outside of the large cities, if you want the mix of countryside and urban living on your doorstep. Cheltenham/Stroud/Cirencester are worth a look at for a good mix of both. I live very rurally, so to me, these places are more than busy enough! I used to live in Bristol and although I see the appeal of having everything you want on your doorstep, I could never do city living again. I would potentially one day move to a bigger town, as we are quite out in the sticks and sometimes it would be nice to not have to drive for any sort of excitement 😄 But I love our little village and it would take something really special to prise me away now. Maybe focusing on areas close enough to a city so you have options locally for socialising, but without actually being right within it so you have the rural aspect also (usually much cheaper too!) Another option would be to go abroad... With no ties and anything holding you down to the UK it would be a great adventure, even if it didn't end up being a long term one. Always regret not doing this pre mortgages and kids!

DS is 30 and moved to Manchester a few months ago, having always lived in his home town. He's never even been to Manchester before moving there! He didn't know a soul but has made lots of friends and is loving it.

ETA he's loving city life but also can get into amazing countryside very quickly

Peak District or the Lakes maybe!

Do this OP! I spent my 20s living and working overseas. Nothing beats it, and if you can rent property at home and have a base to return to thats a win win situation. My suggestions would be Madrid, Rome, Seville, Amsterdam!

Edinburgh is great, I went to University there and would love to move back but the rents are high and also the job market when I was there wasn't great, in my field at least (perhaps better with some experience under your belt).

Im single, 31 and have lived in Manchester for 7 years, now on own my own property (in the suburbs, mostly because I wanted a house not a flat but there's plenty of affordable flats in the city). Plenty of great places in the outdoors to visit nearby by train or car, I'm out hiking every weekend pretty much and you can also get up to the lakes really easily. I've been able to build a great network here of people and there's a lot more going on now than when I first moved here in 2019. Would recommend!

I would never buy a studio flat. Way better to buy a one or two (or even three) bed in a desirable area in the North of England for the same price. More likely to gain value and be easier to sell. But yes to the rest of the plan.

I'd be doing a Shirley Valentine and heading for Greece to meet a waiter!

The world (or the UK) is your oyster.

I moved to Brighton on a whim as I’d always wanted to live by the sea, but it’s so expensive. Definitely have a few weekends away and do some exploring