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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to want to go north?

130 replies

CountArthursgroupie · 30/05/2018 18:50

I'm due to retire in a few years, and there's no way I can afford my present rent. Northern rents are much fairer, but where to go? I've hardly gone north of Watford in my life! Can you MNers recommend anywhere? Have any of you made a similar change of location?

OP posts:
NapQueen · 30/05/2018 18:56

Have lived in the North all my life. I live close to Newcastle city centre. Its a great area with excellent transport links. Close to beautiful coasts, and only 1-1.5hrs to the Lake District. 2h to Edinburgh. 2h to York.

Places in this area which I would more specifically recommend are Low Fell, Whickham, Blaydon Burn, North Shields, Hexham.

Dmacka75 · 30/05/2018 19:14

I live just outside Durham, there are some lovely places to live here

Original poster
CountArthursgroupie · 30/05/2018 19:14

Thank you, Newcastle is one of the places I've been considering.

OP posts:
katycb · 30/05/2018 19:22

I live in Low Fell one of the suburbs of Newcastle/Gateshead that napqueen mentioned. Nice community feeling and shops, cafes etc but a quick bus ride to city. DH is a southerner and seems to have settled well!!!!

KateGrey · 30/05/2018 19:24

The north is beautiful. Do you have a current network where you live? I’d be very tempted by the north. Newcastle is fantastic as is Leeds and Manchester. Hull is also a cheap and buzzy city and Beverley is really nice.

LotsToThinkOf · 30/05/2018 19:50

I live near York - it's lovely up here!

YouTheCat · 30/05/2018 19:53

Newcastle is an amazing place to live. There is so much going on in the city and yet, you can be at the beach in 20 minutes, or in the countryside.

Northumberland is gorgeous too.

donquixotedelamancha · 30/05/2018 20:05

The air is cleaner. The landscape is prettier. The people are friendlier. Cost of living is much cheaper. Chips are indescribably better. Vowels are pronounced the way God intended (well, alright not in Newcastle).

If you want cities, I'd go for Liverpool, Leeds or Manchester- Newcastle can be a bit expensive and a bit cold; though all the cities mentioned are like a more cheerful version of London. York and Durham have fab old world charm. If you want countryside North Yorkshire and several bits of Lancashire are hard to beat. If you want cheap Preston recently topped a quality of life survey, just because of the amenities and culture compared to costs like rent.

QuoadUltra · 30/05/2018 20:06

What an adventure. Do you want City, town or rural?

lamerde · 30/05/2018 20:09

Glasgow.

Amazing city.

ErrolTheDragon · 30/05/2018 20:10

YANBU. But so much choice... what sort of things are you into, and the other question which may be relevant is whether you're likely dependent on public transport.

sayanythingelse · 30/05/2018 20:54

I've just moved south of Middlesbrough (not recommended) but I'm a Leeds lass originally, I'd highly recommend it. Newcastle and Manchester are great cities. York is lovely. Whitby is nice if you fancy retiring by the sea.

I might be biased but the North is great!

Caribou58 · 30/05/2018 20:55

Manchester is a fantastic city.

Dancingtothebeat · 30/05/2018 21:00

What sort of thing are you looking for? What do you like? City? Country? Village feel? Seaside? Shopping? Genteel suburbia?

Manchester and Leeds are great if you like cities. Village and countryside, Sheffield with it’s access to the peaks is great. Scarborough or Whitby for the seaside. Harrogate or places like Jesmond in Newcastle are great for the genteel.

YouTheCat · 30/05/2018 21:04

Parts of Jesmond are okay but it's very student orientated. High Heaton is better. Or parts of Gosforth are nice.

TheShapeOfEwe · 30/05/2018 21:06

Scotland! It's so beautiful and dead friendly and there are far fewer Tory wankers!

KlutzyDraconequus · 30/05/2018 21:09

Beverley Near Hull.

it's a wonderful place with an amazing Minster. Plus Hull is an awesome city.
not far from York, not far from the sea, not far from the Moors etc.

LoislovesStewie · 30/05/2018 21:10

The Yorkshire coast, cheap, pretty, nice beaches. Try the bus route up the coast to Whitby for lovely views.Have a look.

Veronicat · 30/05/2018 21:13

Scotland. It's dead cheap. And pretty Damon beautiful.

Oysterbabe · 30/05/2018 21:13

Won't you be moving away from friends and family? I think when I retire being close to them will be important to me to stop boredom.

NC4Now · 30/05/2018 21:16

What do you like? We need to narrow it down. Some of the cities are still fairly pricey, but there are some gorgeous places up here.

DepressedOtter · 30/05/2018 21:17

Come to Cardiff instead Grin

thirstyformore · 30/05/2018 21:17

Oooh. My little town has been mentioned twice so far. Beverley is fab. Come and visit.

Andijustknew · 30/05/2018 21:19

I'd say North East or North Yorkshire coastal. Affordable, beautiful, yet accessible.

Miranda15110 · 30/05/2018 21:21

Scottish Borders is fabulous. Trains run to Edinburgh every half hour. Housing is cheap. No such thing as waiting a day for a GP appointment. Free prescriptions. We've got beaches, castles and community. Train to Newcastle 1 hour. I'm English BTW. Lived here 30 years and wouldn't go back x

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