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?

[CheerfulYank]

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

[notagainffffffffs]

North wales ;) love it!

[BreeVDKamp]

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

[aquashiv]

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

[LePetitPrince]

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.

[Shockers]

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!

[StrattersFeeear]

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.

[Strokethefurrywall]

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!

[wobblyweebles]

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

yawn again

[KitCat26]

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.

[CheerfulYank]

You really ought to visit Strats! :o

[Pipbin]

Scarborough is wonderfully friendly.

[Mereguemeringue]

Totnes in Devon!

[SconeRhymesWithGone]

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.

[SconeRhymesWithGone]

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

[Isitraining]

Devon or Yorkshire

[Theorientcalf]

Nottingham.

[plummyjam]

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)

[Plomino]

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 .

[Mumoftwoyoungkids]

York. Also very prett and relatively cheap house prices.