To uproot my family and move somewhere completely new?

[Lifesagambleisntit]

I'm so fed up where we live - tiny flat, no garden, really cramped etc. We are a same sex couple with 3 children, baby and two toddlers. I'm a SAHM and my wife works full time but has a career which means she can work from home a lot and / or find a job most places. I really want to move mainly for more space but haven't got any idea where. I guess apart from space it must be v gay friendly and ideally creative, any ideas? Would love to hear about where you live!

How far would you be willing to move? (Scotland, NI)

Good point, I think to stay near enough to family no further North than Manchester ideally!

Where do you live now? Roughly?

South east England.

Brighton?
Bristol?
Cornwall?
Wales?

We already live in the top place x

Wales is probably a good bet for decent house prices, and depending on the job she'd probably find work in Cardiff. Most do.

Sorry what on earth do you mean by a "creative" place?

Creativity exists everywhere and in many different forms.

Hebden Bridge sounds ideal from what you've said, OK it's slightly further north than Manchester but not much. Very lovely landscape, arty and creative community...

Thank you. Will search Hebden Bridge!

Cocklodger - any towns or areas of Wales?

I guess I'm after towns as well as cities as, for example, Cornwall / Wales etc are big places.

Herefordshire - beautiful countryside, reasonable house prices, lovely little rural schools, within striking distance of Birmingham and Cardiff for culture, easy to reach to M50 and motorway network, beautiful areas around (Black Mountains, Forest of Dean, Shropshire hills etc.), friendly folk.

Don't know about the gay scene, but I have seen no prejudice.

Oh - and near to the S Wales coast for holidays - and Somerset beaches.

Todmorden. Some of my family live there, and it's a joy!

Fantastic gay scene there too, as well as being incredibly welcoming, artistic, string sense of community and great schools. I'd move there, if I could.

*strong

Didsbury or Chorlton in Manchester area.

Why not try Worthing, Saltdean or Peacehaven? You can get a lot more for your money and still be close to Brighton.

There is so many other same sex families in Brighton it would be a shame for your kids not to grow up with that around them. I am a biased Brightonian though!

Hebden bridge. Rumoured to have the largest proportion of lesbian residents in England although not sure how rigourous the evidence is.

Or todmorden is just up the road and cheaper then Hebden.

TV crime drama Happy Valley is set in Hebden. There aren't as many elaborate murders and crimes as the show suggests of course

Totnes in Devon.

Glastonbury

Bristol if you want a proper city.

Bristol is a nice "creative"/alt-friendly kind of place, but house prices are bonkers in many areas. If you're willing to live a couple of miles out of the city in one of the quieter areas, or a more up-and-coming but currently still run down spot then it's cheaper.

Thanks v much everyone, loads of fab suggestions. Going to have a good look tonight. 😄

Totnes is glorious!

Sheffield?

Bristol
Stroud
Totnes
All laid back and hippyish/creative

I would recommend Bristol as it's very gay friendly a massive centre of art and culture, however it's probably no cheaper than Brighton in the urban areas. You don't have to go too far out of the city to save loads though!

I second Cardiff though, it's a wonderful city and an absolute bargain. I can't vouch for gay-friendliness but you get a lot of room for your money and a very cosmopolitan lifestyle.

Just avoid the city centre on Friday and Saturday night at all costs.

Wow, thank you for so many great suggestions. I like the idea of Hebden bridge, was amazed looking on right move what you can get for your money and it looks commutable to Manchester. My only concern is schools. We would ideally like to send the toddlers to a private school (they have some additional needs) but I'm not sure if there are many! Going to arrange a weekend visit. Anyone live there and have any insider info?!