to be thinking of moving to Bath rather than London?

[AgainWhen]

Currently live in Doncaster. Can't stand it.

We're moving this autumn and have been looking at the suburbs in SW London - can afford a teeny tiny 3 bed house. Have always wanted to live in London and as the plan is for our next move to be our 'forever' house this feels like the right time.

However I've just looked at what we could buy in Bath for £400k and we could get someting fantastic for our money.

Anyone got any insight? Best/worst areas etc.The main thing I fear is ending up somewhere provincial and wishing we'd moved to London all along.

Having worked in Doncaster for a while, I cant blame you for wanting out.

Bath is lovely, and the surrounding areas too. I live in outer London, but would move to Bath if we could as it is miles better.

You can still be in London in an hour and a half if you want the hustle and bustle.

Should have said that we're not tied down to any particular location due to jobs etc.

I can honestly say, if you have the choice, dont choose London. It is expensive, crime is much higher, and you will yearn for fresh air.

I live in London but would love to live in Bath - if you have the choice don't hesitate!

But we'd be living in an area where Kew Gardens and Hampton court and Richmond would all be accsessable (sp?) and central london a 30 min journey away. Been looking forward to it for ages. But couldn't afford the sort of house you could fall in love with. And it looks like the views in Bath are stunning. But what are the people like round there?

I grew up in Bath, it has a massive drugs problem.

My best mate lived in Bath. The people there are friendly, and will be a lot more friendly than London residents. We live ten minutes from Richmond Park, and go probably once a year if that. Kew gardens is also an annual event rather than a regular occurence. Perhaps try renting first and see how you get on, but honestly, I would say Bath is the better option.

Bath is fiiiit. Much nicer place to bring up kids than London.

What jobs do you both do?

I dont think anywhere is without drug problems these days. Most of London has a major problem with drug related crime.

We are lovely people! Views are good in many areas and you could get a nice place for 400k. Train to london is very expensive if not booked in advance (over £100 I think).

Yes there are quite a few homeless people around the centre with drug and alcohol problems but then most cities do. They rarely cause any problems, just walk on the other side of the road if u don't want a Big Issue mag!

Bath hasn't really got a bad drug problem compared to, e.g., London

Bath is pretty but what's there to do in Bath?

Nice shops. Lovely walks. Decorating your lovely house. Think I'm sold.

I lived in Bath for a while and found it beautiful but dull. But it may have been that I did not know anyone when I went to work there. If you love Georgian, you will love it.

I live in Richmond and love it. Dh grew up in Bath and is open to moving there at some point. I'd rather lop one of my arms off.

Yes Bath is beautiful, but the rest of the world thinks so too!
The centre is not very big and hemmed in by the river and the hills, as are all the residents, students and tourists. The result can be far from relaxing if you actually need to walk or drive anywhere in finite time and parking is dire.
Also your nearest big city is Bristol which DH says has the rudest drivers outside London (certainly they seem way worse than in Birmingham).
I'm not saying don't move there. Bath is beautiful and the countryside to the South and West is gorgeous but you need to do your research very carefully to make sure you choose a house where the bottlenecks caused by tourists plus geography aren't a daily nightmare.

Yes Bath is beautiful, but the rest of the world thinks so too!
The centre is not very big and hemmed in by the river and the hills, as are all the residents, students and tourists. The result can be far from relaxing if you actually need to walk or drive anywhere in finite time and parking is dire.
Also your nearest big city is Bristol which DH says has the rudest drivers outside London (certainly they seem way worse than in Birmingham).
I'm not saying don't move there. Bath is beautiful and the countryside to the South and West is gorgeous but you need to do your research very carefully to make sure you choose a house where the bottlenecks caused by tourists plus geography aren't a daily nightmare.

www.housepricecrash.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=74804&st=135

word on the street

Bath is a shithole. Completely over-rated. Nearly as bad as Bristol. Take my advice and don't bother.

Both are a bit different to Sunny Donny!

Of course YABU to pefer Bath to London - London is the centre of the universe!

Onmyfucksy - having lived there and experienced it first hand I beg to differ.

For a small place it has a massive amount of addicts.