AIBU to ask where I should move to?

[SmilingAloe]

Feeling the pressure and wondering if anyone would kindly offer some advice.

We have an opportunity to move but we are not sure where to go.

We are hoping to go and look at some places in the near future but need to get a shortlist together.

We would like to live in or near a village/market town which is near a nice city or large town with a university and train links.
Ideally would like to be near the sea.

We have two boys so would like good schools and options for varied extracurricular activities.

Ideally we would want a detached house with a decent sized garden, budget between £500,000-£700,000.

We currently live pretty rurally and would like to stay fairly rural but be closer to somewhere that offers theatres, gigs, nice restaurants, independent shops, etc.

We are currently looking around Exeter. I also love Bath but my DH would like to be by the sea as he surfs and sails.
Open to all suggestions.

Happy to answer any questions.

Thank you

I don't have any inspiring suggestions but would like to say I recommend Exeter and the surrounding area. For a city of its size, I'd say Exeter has a good range of shops (independent and chains) and restaurants, and I believe it has 3 or 4 theatres and a couple of museums. I think Exeter has a friendly vibe and I always felt safe when out and about, even at night. The main downside is that it's quite expensive (this is why I left), but with your budget that shouldn't matter, though you might get more for your money elsewhere. I'd definitely recommend looking at the surrounding areas as it's a lovely place to live.