To feel all squashed in London/the South-East?

[janelikesjam]

And want to move somewhere green, or by the sea, where not many people, but hopefully pleasant ones .

Any nice suggestions?

North East Fife, Scotland...... Lots of beaches, lots of rural properties (so few people), couple of nice wee towns (St Andrews for example), millions of golf courses if you are into that sort of thing. Decent state schools if you pick the area correctly (and you AUTOMATICALLY get a place if you live in catchment, none of the mad scramble for places you get in the South East), Cities near by for culture etc - Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee all an hour away or less.......

I'd move in Inverness.

I recently did Lands End to John O'Groats with my kids (mental... yes!) and Inverness was lovely.

Penzance was horrid. so I would def. recommend going north!

Come to the Midlands! We're in the middle (believe it or not!) so nothing is that far away: you could easily day trip to Manchester/Liverpool, various different coasts, the Peak District, Bristol/Cardiff, the Cotswolds, the Marches, etc, etc.
And the friends that you are leaving in London/SE are not that far away either.

You're all being so kind and helpful and no big insults yet .

I am originally a Londoner but I can't seem to take it any more (must be my age ...)

I did think of up North. I also thought of the Midlands, though thought that might be a bit crowded too, but maybe nothing compared to London.

I'm in the East Midlands and do really like it as you can get just about anywhere in a reasonable time. Bits of it are more rural - lots of nice villages in South Leicestershire where it's not overcrowded, but not far to go into Leicester for city centre stuff. I'm originally from Surrey, and whilst I'd like to be closer to London at times, on balance, the extra space up here is worth the hassle of an hour's train journey to get to London when I want to see a show or something.

There's some lovely bits in the midlands, like senua says it's set out so you're never that far from an urban area but can be in the middle of nowhere quite quickly. I'm between Birmingham and Dudley at the moment and love it, where we're based it's lots of hills and valleys and I can pretty much see the whole of south birmingham from up here, enough to make out the shadows of the clouds - its gorgous and very pretty on guy Fawkes night.

Come to Norfolk, loads of space here :)

I'm in rural South Yorkshire, and like you, a refugee from the Big Smoke. I love it round here. We can get to Leeds and Sheffield easily, are within an hour's travel of three regional airports, within 10 minutes drive from the M1, are only a few miles from the Peak district and have green fields and farm shops on our doorstep.

Northumberland. It's absolutely beautiful and you can pretty much pick your level of isolation from slap bang in the middle of nowhere to bustling market town. Beautiful beaches (google Bamburgh/Seahouses/Amble) and only spitting distance from Newcastle for bars, restaurants, theatre etc.

Or Durham, a beautiful city with castle and catherdral and yet it honestly feels like a small town. Both have plenty of brilliant state schools and also a small selection of private schools.

Where in London are you? We're in Kent by the sea and are pondering going back to London - swap ya!

Mind you, we do have a tiny hovel in a world which is Britain in the 1950s - but it is very peaceful ;)

Shetland for me. No question! I'd die in London. I spent three days there last month. I HATED it!

Yabu.

Perhaps you should visit a few places. You might find that although they are lovely they might not suit you long term. Grass is greener and all that.

I'm in the south east, there is loads of green space around here. Trees and bushes everywhere.

I can't imagine living anywhere else in this country tbh. I wouldn't like to be so far away from the capital, and it would be a pain in the arse when going on holiday to have to do a mammoth journey to an international airport that actually goes to most destinations.

Where abouts do you live op?

Oh, and I haven't got any mother either , just a wanderlust.

Yes, will visit a few places, I kind of think I know what I want. I will know it when I see it. I have never been to Northumberland and may take a look.

I suppose the North (and perhaps Midlands) attracts because there's access to lots of green, space and some big cities too.

I'm on the South Coast, plenty of green and sea around here tbh.

It's not exactly isolated but with the sea one side and the South Downs the other we really do have the best of both worlds. This morning I went running and a just over a mile from home, unfortunately up a frigging huge hill, I am out in the country looking at gorgeous views of poppy fields and the river, could see for miles. It really is lovely!

I'd love to live in Northumberland but our families and our jobs are in this area.

I meant money (weird slip).

Do you need to work in London? You could easily move out to the seaside, a lot are on fast(ish) trains.

We're in Kent, not at the seaside, but I can see the downs from our bedroom window, and still commutable to the city. Get outside the M25 - it's much nicer.

Failing that, Lake District - where I'd move if DH didn't have to be in the City every day... (but then I like a good hill to walk up and will settle for a lake rather than a beach)

Would Malvern suit? It has a quaint Spa Town charm but is also slightly hippyish. In one direction you have the local city, historic Worcester, and then Birminham and in the other direction you have the Wye Valley which is beauuuuutiful.
I don't know much about trains but I know that Malvern used to have a direct link to the big smoke (so Londoners could come to take the waters).
The schools are excellent.

Will definitely take a look Senua. Life's too short to live somewhere you don't feel right in, even if its perfect for other people.

"and it would be a pain in the arse when going on holiday to have to do a mammoth journey to an international airport that actually goes to most destinations."

I agree. OH travels a lot for work. We are only an hour away from Manchester airport. Also an hour from Leeds Bradford, 40 mins from Doncaster and an hour and a half from East Midlands.

I'd second Northumberland - we moved here after living firstly in Essex and then in Berkshire - we've never ever wanted to move back and when we go down south or to the Midlands we are always desperate to leave the crowds and get back home. It's a wonderful place to bring up a family - we are only ten miles outside Newcastle and about fourteen to lovely beaches, so best of all worlds.

We moved london to Scotland and life is SO much more pleasant

No being bumped and pushed on the pavement
No tube to work :)
No piles of PEOPLE everywhere
Space
Gardens and parks and empty beaches
Walking to work

Life is wonderful!

Oh and I loved London till I had DS, then couldn't leave fast enough. Never expected that!