to want somewhere to live that feels friendly, and a bit free?

[SparkyLark]

I live somewhere lovely nature-wise, but rather cold and unfriendly in other ways.

Anyone move somewhere 'friendly', and did it make a difference?

You're completely right wrongman, I am hoping to get something out of it. Like, I don't know, a friend?!

Oooh do Minneapolis Nooka, we'd be practically neighbors. :o

North wales ;) love it!

The cheddar valley!! / Somerset Levels. 'Free' feeling and very friendly. Great schools. Amazing place to grow up!

No where on this earth beats Ireland for friendly. Quite humbling. I've lived and travelled loads.

Ireland is superficially friendly.. Great to visit, have a second home, stay a year.. But to live there as an outsider forever is very different - it's hard to get beyond the all-mates-at-the-pub point.
London can be friendly and unfriendly in equal measures. I've lived in blocks of flats where I didn't know the name of a single other resident but head out to the 'burbs and it's completely different.
There are villages in the English country (e.g. Cheshire, Wiltshire, Lincs, Staff.) which are divine - all scouts, harvest festivals, village fairs and the W.I.!
Sorry to Glasweigians but never found you friendly to me though I am sure you are lovely to each other.

I live in a rural Lancashire market town. We were warned when we moved that as 'outsiders', we might not be accepted by locals.

Nothing could be further from the truth. I love living here!

Lovely and friendly where I live in Lincolnshire. I used to live about half an hour from CheerfulYank, and can confirm that it's the loveliest, friendliest place to live.

Cayman Islands here - amazingly friendly and a pretty "free" lifestyle in terms of raising families - 2 degrees of separation, everyone knows everyone which makes for a bit of a goldfish bowl but so easy to make friends.

Not so much free in terms of cost of living though, it's bastard extortionate! Cost of living in a financial offshore centre!

Friendly if it is all you have known. I didn't think so

yawn again

I live in a village in Suffolk and it is a nice place to raise a family. There is a lovely community spirit but it helps if you fit into a group, families, religious, retired, dog owners etc. The people that don't throw themselves in tend to be those born and bred here who already have a support network in place but they are still friendly very friendly, I married one.

You really ought to visit Strats! :o

Scarborough is wonderfully friendly.

Totnes in Devon!

I am an American Southerner so I know friendly. The Midwest is very friendly and authentically so (don't know why some people in the UK think American friendliness is not genuine). The Midwest is a lot like the South, just without the Gothic crazy element.

I've traveled fairly widely in the UK; the friendliest city is Glasgow, hands down. Friendliest smaller town: Castle Douglas in Dumfries and Galloway.

Devon or Yorkshire

Nottingham.

Lancashire is the friendliest place I've lived. People are so warm and welcoming. Also usually a bit batty as well (black pudding throwing contests etc)

We live in a very friendly part of Norfolk ! Not the posh north norfolk bit , or the Norwich bit , more the bit described as bleak by the Guardian . But it's the only place where everybody in the village knows one another , where we all help each other out with their horses or other animals when we go away, and if you're really stuck , really really put themselves out for you, from fixing my car for a fraction of the garage quotes , to dropping emergency bales of straw off late at night because of a horse accident .

Wouldn't live anywhere else now .

York. Also very prett and relatively cheap house prices.