To just move somewhere and start over?

[shallimove]

Growing up I hated the town I lived in. It’s a small industrial town in the north. I always felt like an odd one out, and found it difficult to make friends. There isn’t much available socially, no meet up groups or anything like that, social life here for everyone mostly revolves around pubs or working men’s clubs and everyone’s friend groups seem to be people they’ve been friends with since primary school.

It kind of hit me recently that I don’t have to stay here, I could live wherever I want. It’s just me, no kids to worry about. Recently lost my job and I have family here but we’re not particularly close, and could always visit each other.

I'm open to ideas about where to go. I could spend about £450k absolute maximum on somewhere to live but would want a two bedroom house at least for that. I want there to be a lot of social/meet up type of things that I could join in on. Apart from that, I’m pretty flexible. I like the idea of Brighton but I’ve never actually been, and I’ve thought about maybe Edinburgh too?

So, what do you think? WIBU to just draw a line under my old life and move somewhere completely new?

I did it. I moved countries for a fresh start and it really worked. Sometimes life is giving you a kick up the bum to try something new.

Move to Scotland - with that amount of cash for a property, you could have a beautiful home + land! Can you work from home?

I visited Southsea/Portsmouth recently and want to move there. Lots happening, buzzy, modern.

I’d do it. Look at where jobs in your field are and just go for it.

YANBU at all!

But - visit lots of places first, and check out the job situation.

Do it!

Maybe rent somewhere for a year to make sure that the place is exactly right for you. You don't want to jump from the frying pan into the fire and end up stuck in a new place you don't like.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/72907932#/?channel=RES_BUY
Lovely village, good bus links to York, 2 nice pubs and a sports bar where there are tennis and squash courts. Woods nearby too

Oh Do it!

I moved countries when I was 27, an dhave now settled in the UK with my DH who I met abraod when he was on holiday. I feel like myself now. In my small, remote rural community back home I was not into football, drinking and all that so I did feel out of place.

There is nothing that says you have to finish up where you started- ever.

Come to Edinburgh, you can get a lovely flat or home for that money, and no there is nothing wrong with starting over.

Good luck

I've done it - Nottingham to London, London to Dublin and then Dublin to Portugal!

Write down a list of your requirements - city or countryside? Commutable or WFH? Do you need good transport links? Access to culture? Settled community or more transient?

That's true @SailYourShips and yes that would be the best idea to rent for a while first.

That house looks ideal @ineedaholidayandwine and I do love York but would being 5 miles out of the city Centre mean I would still feel "out of it" or do you think it wouldn't matter because it would be easy to go into the city for events etc?

Try Cardiff? I moved there years ago and had a great time!

Am very envious of your situation btw

How exciting! In your position I'd probably start with a job search and see where was a good place for my work then hunt around. Good luck!

I'd say go for it - in fact!, I'd love to do something similar myself.

Its so easy to get to city centre, the number 10 first bus runs through the centre of the village every half an hour and has stops in the centre of York, i've gone in for team lunches and nights out easily. You can get off on Walmgate to walk to the Barbican for shows, at Piccadilly right by the main shops and bars or Low Ousegate for the Grand Opera House theatre, it also goes to the train station and you can walk from there to the knavesmire.
The pub is usually busy on weekend so a great atmosphere, it's a very friendly village and starting to have events back on, the Twine and Barrell and sports bar both have live music a lot of weekends

Do it! Explore the world!! You literally have nothing stopping you having your best life!!!

We did and have never looked back. The UK is great but there's so much more to see and do!

Think about what you want. It sounds like you'd like to be in a lively, buzzing town, but do you also want access to the sea? the countryside? What do you like do - sailing, tennis, a particular hobby or interest?

Definitely rent first, you may choose to stay in the town, but it gives you time to get to know its different areas better.

Go for it!

@trampoline11 I never thought of Cardiff, I've never been actually but I'll have a look into that a bit more.

Do you think it would be okay if I did move somewhere I hadn't been before? Especially if I rent first? My exh always thought that you could never change your mind, he was always so sure of himself/stubborn but I don't think it really matters that much does it? If I move somewhere and spend a year and don't like it I can always move again can't I?

Why not look for jobs that interest you all over the uk. Get a job and rental house and see how it goes.

Yes, try a place out first (renting)

I am from a town like yours, and I have moved 5 times in my life, and would say you have to spend the first year putting yourself out there, meeting neighbours, joining clubs or activity. Saying yes to any invitation… just do it. But it’s tiring!

But then the 2nd year you can start being more selective and choosy

First year is always a proper effort though, but you then reap what you sow

We could've grown up in the same place! I left at 18 and haven't lived there since, thank god.

Definitely move. Those sort of places drag you down.

I'm not a fan of Brighton (it's basically Camden-on-Sea, which I get appeals to some!) but I love Edinburgh, it's a fabulous place. As is York. I suppose it depends on how much cold weather bothers you.

Whichever you chose I'd definitely live central if you're after a buzz and a vibe, not out in the suburbs.

I'm quite jealous. Love the thought of starting fresh in a busy, vibrant city...

I did it. I grew up in suburbia, and hated it. As soon as I could I moved rural. It's bliss. I've built a new life.

I think you need to do some exploring, spend a few weekends away, work out where you really like. That's part of the fun

@MinkyWinky I would love to be by the sea in a dream world, I think that's why I like the idea of Brighton so much because I prefer cities and id love to live by the sea, and there seems to be a lot of social/meet up stuff going on but I've also heard some not so good things as well.

My hobbies i can do pretty much anywhere, I just like swimming and weights and eating out really. I do a lot of crafting too. Same with my job, I just work in accounts/admin type of work so I should be able to find something pretty much anywhere.

York, you'd definitely get a 2 bed for 450k.
Plenty to do, bars, cafés, restaurants, historic city, not too far from the coast, Brid, Whitby, Scarbados, Filey. Countryside on your doorstep, good rail links, cycle lanes and park and ride buses.
Or go north to Scotland, I love the west coast, don't go south

Why don’t you spend the winter thinking about your requirements/ making a shortlist, and then in the spring hire a camper van and go on a road trip, checking loads of places out?