AIBU to want to go north?

[CountArthursgroupie]

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?

I live just south of York and love it. Great transport links and a thriving community. Agree about Beverley though it's gorgeous

Not the Peak District. It's so grim

Yup.. A place renowned for its beauty. Where Dovedale, Lathkilldale and the pennine way all have inspired fantastically from paintings to photogrpahy.

Please do avoid it, it's so so grim. All those picture box scenes and classic English xxx country vistas. Makes me want to spew and go back to Grimsby.

We moved from SE London to Sheffield a few months ago. You couldn't pay us to move back!

We now have:
-A house twice the size for less money
-Great nurseries and schools nearby
-Lovely parks within a 2 minute walk (check out the Botanical Gardens, it's beautiful)
-Amazing independent shops/cafes/pubs within a 2 minute walk
-The Peak District a 10 minute drive or 20 minute cycle away
-Lots of art galleries/museums nearby
-Neighbours who talk to us rather than ignore us

We're only just over a mile from the city centre but it's so leafy and relaxed here. It feels safe but definitely not boring as there are loads of students around to keep things interesting.

find it hard to make friends That's because you live down South.

what's so terrible about Blackpool?

It's filled with people that the people who go on Jeremy Kyle would describe as 'a bit rough for my taste'. In fairness, it's getting nicer slowly and can be lovely for a day trip, but dear god don't move there. Also don't move to Burnley, Barnsley or Barrow. Avoid anywhere beginning with B and you are fine.

Not the Peak District. It's so grim. Are you on glue?

can only recommend you stop before you reach the north.
There are many lovely little towns / sma;ll cities in the midlands, Welsh borders which could suit you. It always irks me that politicians and the media bang on about the north without appreciating there is lovely countryside/living between the 'north' and the 'south'.

find it hard to make friends That's because you live down South.

How silly. Don't people get tired of north–south cliches?

How silly. Don't people get tired of north–south cliches?

Yes, that was a deadly serious comment. I honestly imagine nobody south of Birmingham forming interpersonal relationships.

Barrow in Furness is lovely, and well connected to the rest of the country

QueenDoris you are SO bad!

Aspatria, anyone? Happy birthday uncle Dad?!

Try Lancaster OP, it’s great and lots of people make a conscious decision to move here. Lots of community events, classes and clubs etc.

@donquixotedelamancha

I honestly imagine nobody south of Birmingham forming interpersonal relationships.

It's amazing that southerners actually reproduce

@QueenDoris :-)

Definitely Scotland.

The provision of public services is much better, and the Scottish government is far more progressive than that of the rest of the UK, especially with access to free personal care and prescriptions.

Don't worry about the accent! - It actually varies a lot, but in somewhere like Edinburgh, I can't see you'd ever have a problem understanding something.

Old, old zombie thread, but could I ask what Mumsnetters think of Bishop Auckland or Ferryhill?

@RedHelenB

It'll be colder! I love where I live in Yorkshire. Really is God's own country and judging by the influx of southern accents more are realising this!

Then stop encouraging them to move North, they'll ruin property prices. If the OP is thinking of moving North she needs to realise that there are some eye-wateringly expensive places, it's not all Coronation Street.

We live in North Derbyshire. The countryside is stunningly beautiful, house prices are fairly reasonable, and people are super friendly. Why not look at some of the small towns and villages between Sheffield and York/Leeds? Hebden Bridge is full of arty shops and galleries, Skipton is a very pretty town. Once the lockdown is over, get yourself up here for a couple of weeks and have a scout around!

Well, I'm doing it. Broadstairs in Kent to Bishop Auckland in Durham.

Found this thread while looking for something else, it was me with a previous name. It's the best decision I ever made! 😀

Ah where did you end up? I'm one-of the people who told you to move to Newcastle....I still would too!

We speak English, you’ll be fine.

Ooh, exciting, I love an update! Where did you move to?

I moved to Cockfield, a little village near Bishop Auckland. Now about the accent - I was prepared not to understand other people, what I didn't realise was that a lot of people have trouble with my broad Cockney!

County Durham! Lovely country! So glad it worked out well, OP.

(Us Laaaaaahndoners? what Cockney accent?!)

It never stops raining, literally has rained almost every day for a year.

It’s also expensive to rent property. My friend pays £700pm for a one bedroom flat.

On the plus side like you said its got rail service direct to London, Manchester, Leeds etc…

Low crime rate (but big drug problem)

On the Scottish border so best of all worlds, with beautiful scenery.

Its just the constant, constant rain.

I guess that’s how those lakes got there!

Edit because I realised OP has already moved. I’m so glad you are happy 🙂

Shamelessly parking for unofficial OP’s update! @Carlottagiudicelli

Please say you chose Yorkshire?❤