To ask my fellow mumsnetters to find me a home?!

[Findmeahome]

I know I probably am being unreasonable to ask random people on the Internet to find me a home but I am at a loss so hoping for some advice, inspiration and ideas (or for Kirsty and Phil to read this thread 😄)

So, we live in the south east, 20 mins outside of London. 2 children, 2 and 3 and twins on the way. Same sex couple. We would love somewhere with land (not a farm but an acre or 2) and to be close to somewhere vibrant / cultural. Must be an open minded non villagey feel as we grew up being the only gays in our neighbouring northern villages many years ago! We love the south east but it's way too expensive to buy what we need. Basically we would want a lovely property with some land just outside Brighton but we are not millionaires! So, anyone recommend where they live that fulfils any of these criteria? So far thinking maybe countryside near Manchester or Cheshire but really no idea! Thanks everyone in advance (goes back to wasting time on rightmove looking at properties way out of our price range and wondering if it is possible to get any more ginormous than 39 weeks pregnant with twins....)

If Leeds is of interest it's worth looking further up the Aire and Wharfe Valleys on the Airedale and Wharfedale train lines) as there's some really nice rural and semi-rural areas where you can get a hell of a lot for your money.

Ooh, thanks everyone. Chester property is great but no land I don't think. I've just realised I'm fussier than I thought. No to the West Country I'm afraid. Nothing but bad experiences of holidays / visiting friends - very white, very narrow minded, boring.... Purely my experience and I'm sure we just missed the nice areas but it really put us off the south west. Scotland is too far north and really not sure about the north east. Maybe leaning towards Cheshire ish areas? Has anyone moved to a completely different area after being settled for a long period? How did you do it? Feeling v overwhelmed but determined not to give up on our dream of kids running wild across the fields, ponies out the window, fresh air, having a dog and the whole lifestyle we crave. Oh and commutable to an exciting town or city for shops and restaurants. Maybe it's just a dream...

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-41108115.html

I'd love to have this much money to house hunting With!

You need an acre of grass per equine really, unless you want to keep them in and hay a lot (£££££). So you probably need to decide on how many ponies you need (I am aware they are often a need, not a want!).

I was going to say don't come West Country. Narrow minded. Friends bought a pub and had an awful time and had to sell, tried to hide couple status but news travelled and pub was deserted in weeks. Just awful as they tried so hard.

You could go back to basics?

www.rightmove.co.uk/commercial-property-for-sale/property-61362239.html

Ooh, would make more sense if that said gay friends.

Five bedroom farm house with land and stables near Skipton - £750k

Skipton itself is a really nice little market town and there's trains direct to Leeds from there.

Ah some lovely houses but all the south easty ones don't have land and that's the most important bit. Thanks for the tip re Birmingham hadn't thought of that. Looked at Leeds and Peak District looks good too as its closeish to Manchester I think. Sorry I haven't responded to all posts, honestly I'm amazed I can even see the laptop it's so far away due to my bump (measuring 51 weeks today according to midwife, go me!)

4/5 acres!! , just north of Portsmouth /not that far from Southampton.. Needs an update/extension though

mine have land...!

Pootle that's so sad. It's truly been our experience and we've been to loads of different areas Dartmoor / exmoor / Exeter / all along the coast and Cornwall and it's been awful. In our 20s we got spat at in Devon for holding hands walking along a beach by an older couple walking their dog. Terrified me. To be honest that's what frightens me the most. Moving somewhere with our children that turns out to be hostile / homophobic.

www.rightmove.co.uk/commercial-property-for-sale/property-44358630.html

Winchester

Mypropertea - the equestrian side has been well thought through as I rode at international level for my childhood / into early twenties, ponies have always been in the plans! But realistically we need a couple of acres. I don't plan to ride but would love (if they want to) 2 ponies for the children.

Sorrylaska blame the bump for obscuring your land including post!

Land without planning permission is usually way cheaper. Perhaps it might be better to buy the 2 separately but in proximity to each other?

Oh come on , 6 beds, stable block , 4.8 acres swimming pool, extra cottage
its Isle of Wight though.. (and rural..) I'd like it!

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-50964160.html
This is stunning but probably not enough land.

Laska that is ABSOLUTELY SPOT ON!!! Now move it to within a few miles of Brighton, preferably in the South Downs or Surrey in the north downs and I will buy it. Now. I will sell the children. All of them. I'm in love! That's exactly what I dream of but sadly I think moving it may add a few million too many.

You'd get a massive house in SW Scotland for that - not too far from Glasgow either:
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-58273031.html

Or this
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-51530710.html

Some lovely options posted. I wouldn't exactly describe Wigan as vibrant / cultural. but there are some really nice parts and your budget will go really far. Plus your ideally located for the M6 plus 30 mins either way to Liverpool and Manchester and should you wish to go to London your 1h55 on the fast virgin train.
Haigh is a beautiful area otherwise check out Standish/orrell/billinge/charnock Richard/ecclestone/Coppull/Exuton/wrightington/parbold/mawdsley/lathom but to name a few. Excellent state and private schools in these areas. Best of luck with your search.

Moggloveseggs it's funny how tastes are so different because I really don't like that at all. Good job we don't all find the same things beautiful though because that would be seriously boring!

Thanks for the idea re building. Maybe we need to look into the more. Is that even possible with 4 under 3 or is that a guarantee for self inflicted madness?!

Vines Cross, Heathfield, East Sussex
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-43956858.html

For example www.uklandandfarms.co.uk/rural-property-for-sale/south-east/west-sussex/henfield-eahjb00278_s/ this land is 150k
And you can get a reasonable house in the same area for around 500kwww.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-55684837.html

Might take more effort to marry the 2 but you could get closer to Brighton

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-43388727.html Lots of land and good area.