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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask you where in the UK we should move to on?

122 replies

GirlInTheDirtyShirt · 09/02/2015 15:48

I've been an expat for 10 years (all my adult life). I'm self employed as a writer so can literally live and work anywhere, but DH works in construction and where we live now (Southern Europe) there's no work for him. We're looking to move back to the UK so he can work there, plus I feel the UK education system is better than what we have here, but the question is, where?

We have a toddler, so I'd like somewhere that's nice to bring up children. I like cities rather than rural remoteness, but I want a house rather than a flat as I work from home and want some space. I like the idea of having lots to do and see and perhaps places where I could make friends through things like toddler groups or whatever. I'm not looking for naice leafy suburbs, but nor am I looking for gritty inner city living (I used to live in central Nottingham, so that's coloured my view a bit). I suppose I'm looking for vaguely middle class-ish safe-ish places with low crime.

Our household income would probably be about GBP3k a month until DH gets properly established (and having seen rental prices I'm a bit concerned this might not be enough, tbh Confused).

Is there anywhere you think we might be able to move to that would work?

I have no family and no ties to the UK at all, it'll be like moving to a whole new country, so I'm open to any suggestion at all to help me narrow down my search!

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Momagain1 · 09/02/2015 17:34

I am a huge fan of my adopted city of Glasgow. Big enough for all the city stuff, small enough to easily commute from really rather far into the countryside.

And there is tons of building work. glasgow seems to have long held a knock 'em down and build anew attitude.

PtolemysNeedle · 09/02/2015 17:35

My vote would be for Bristol in your position. There are very few places in this country I'd choose to live in, but Bristol is fab.

Original poster
GirlInTheDirtyShirt · 09/02/2015 18:17

Fugacity yes, The Park is lovely!

PtolemysNeedle Bristol does look like it ticks every box, but having spent a bit of time RightMoving just now, I don't think we can afford to live there, at least not at first, until DH gets a job.

I think I may end up moving to Nottingham after all - I've just had a look on RightMove and I can get a lovely 3bed detached in West Bridgford for about 800GBP - compared to what I'd get for that in Bristol I think Nottingham wins out. God this is such a hard decision!

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Original poster
GirlInTheDirtyShirt · 09/02/2015 18:19

Momagain1 I love the idea of moving to Scotland, but as DH speaks very little English at the moment (and would be working in construction), I'm not sure he'd cope with anything that wasn't a neutral ish British accent. Although I'm probably being daft. Also, it's going to kill me to leave the lovely weather of the Med and I feel that the Scottish weather might do me in!

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TheyLearnedFromBrian · 09/02/2015 18:21

Look at the west end of Glasgow - G12.

Ok, flats, yes. But not the kind of flats you'll be thinking of - big tenements. Beautiful. And it's a cool place, and good links and lots of construction jobs, and good schools, and all cheaper than the south.

TheyLearnedFromBrian · 09/02/2015 18:24

Ha x-post! Mind you, coming from the med, I don't know whether you're going to notice much difference between Glasgow and Nottingham. I've lived in both. And Glasgow's full of incomers - in construction, your DH would be working with folk from all over. But I warn you, go to Glasgow and you'll never leave. It's a fab place.

GotToBeInItToWinIt · 09/02/2015 18:28

West Bridgford is also lovely, we have lots of friends there Smile

SweetValentine · 09/02/2015 18:33

Construction is a job that is always hit by the economy. Aberdeen has one of the best employment rates in the UK at all times - i worked in recruitment and we were literally begging for staff. It's a lovely place to live too

namechangeafternamechange · 09/02/2015 18:53

It really depends on what kind of things you like to do as a family (and on your own!)

Truro, in my eyes, has pretty much everything to offer.....countryside aplenty, beautiful beaches within 15/20 minutes, city living with a 'smaller' feel.

We rent just outside and have an amazing property for not a lot of money.

There are quite a few developments popping up throughout Cornwall (not that popular but you can't stand everything still in time, there has to be growth somewhere!) so I would imagine construction jobs wouldn't be difficult to come by.

We moved here as we have a toddler and wanted to give him a memorable childhood. We spend lots of time riding his bike along the river, building sandcastles on Porthtowan beach, feeding the animals that surround our house....aahh smiling just thinking about it Grin

ginzillas · 09/02/2015 19:02

Hi OP. We're in Hitchin in Hertfordshire (mentioned by previous posters) at the moment and love it. But it's pricey. Like you, I'm a freelance writer and work from home. This is a great town to be based in. It's so close to countryside but commutable to London too.

But it's expensive. House prices and rentals have shot up. Might be a stretch on £3k a month.

We're moving back to Leeds soon and are looking at Horsforth and Burley in Wharfedale - both about 20 mins by train into Leeds. Those might be of interest to you?

You could also look at Saltaire for an arty vibe. It's only 25 mins by train to Leeds and is gorgeous. Lots of cafes, independent shops and a lovely art gallery at Salts Mill. Great park for kids too.

Original poster
GirlInTheDirtyShirt · 09/02/2015 19:02

Gosh, loads of really great suggestions here, thanks ever so much! I hadn't thought of Cornwall to be honest, but it sounds idyllic!

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Original poster
GirlInTheDirtyShirt · 09/02/2015 19:04

ginzillas - thank you! I'll take a look at Saltaire and Hitchin. Our monthly income will be more than GBP3k within a short period of time - I'm just not factoring in DH's pay as I'm not sure how long it will take him to find work - so I suppose we could always live in a cheaper, smaller house to start with while we find our feet.

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ginzillas · 09/02/2015 19:09

I think you'd be fine in Hitchin then Girl. It's a lovely town. But my vote would be for Yorkshire every time!

Maki79 · 09/02/2015 19:17

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the posters request.

hettie · 09/02/2015 19:23

Bristol is great, everyone loves it if they've spent any time here.... There are cheaper bits...

GotToBeInItToWinIt · 09/02/2015 19:27

We live in Clifton, Bristol on about your income and it is pretty tough. Rent on a 2 bed terrace is extortionate and there's not much left over. At the moment it's worth it for us as all our friends are there and we don't want to move any further out while I'm at home with a young baby. Also means DH can walk to work so no commuting costs. Your money will go much further in West Bridgford!

Paleodad · 09/02/2015 19:28

As others have said, I'd seriously think about the NE. Durham is lovely, house prices are very reasonable, and there are a number of largish construction companies nearby. And they seem to be building new houses EVERY WHERE

partypigeon · 09/02/2015 19:32

Exeter! Lovely city, loads going on and loads of young families, near the sea and the moors, cheaper than Bristol. Really friendly and laid back. I'd live there again in a flash :-)

NowABitShapeless · 09/02/2015 19:32

I'm not surprised if you were traumatised living in St Anne's! It's not representative of the rest of the city though! I love it.

IfNotNowThenWhen · 09/02/2015 19:48

Sheffield ! Seriously. Culture, buzz, diversity, good shopping, theatre, music scene etc. A hop and a skip to Leeds, but also easy to London and Manchester.
Peak District on your doorstep, and one of the greenest cities around; loads of people who live there do biking and climbing etc because of the parks and easy access to countryside.
I have lived all over the UK, and it's one of my favourite cities.
I also like Bristol, Brighton (but not on your budget) and Newcastle (or Durham which is beautiful ).
Cant believe someone suggested Worcester..! Sorry, it's quite (and only quite) naice, but it's Daily Mailsville incarnate!

Bellerina2 · 09/02/2015 19:49

£3k a month isn't enough? We are in a fairly decent part of London and our income is just over that and we manage! Granted, we have a 2 bed flat but still, I'd have thought it was easy enough to get a house in say, the Midlands for what we pay for our flat.

Original poster
GirlInTheDirtyShirt · 09/02/2015 20:27

I think I'm probably factoring in costs we wouldn't have in the UK, come to think of it! €600/month school fees and €400/month private healthcare - both of which we wouldn't have there. (I HEART the NHS, no matter what anyone says. Until you've lived somewhere without a functioning healthcare system, you don't appreciate what you have!)

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microferret · 09/02/2015 20:29

I loved living in Newcastle. Jesmond would probably suit you.

littlemonkeyface · 09/02/2015 20:38

Cant believe someone suggested Worcester..! Sorry, it's quite (and only quite) naice, but it's Daily Mailsville incarnate!

IfNotNowThenWhen Care to elaborate?

The last time I visited Worcester I found it to be a pleasant, clean place that is popular with families due to low unemployment, good schooling and decent affordable housing, all of which are things that the OP is looking for.

But obviously I must have missed something?

sunnydayinmay · 09/02/2015 20:42

I live near London, but actually agree Sheffield would be great. good transport links, great city.