Moving to Lincolnshire

[colderandeatsmincepiesalot]

Apologies for AIBU thread, but thought it might attract more traffic. Live in Devon, work from home, DH retired and we would like to move. We want to clear the last of the mortgage and want a larger plot/outside space. Devon has gone mad with prices (yes I know ours has increased too) but everything is being snapped up before even going on the market or buyers are offering waaaay over asking/guide price. So I though well what about Lincolnshire? Is it a nice place to live?? We like walks, outdoors, sailing etc. I have heard so many conflicting opinions, that would thought I would try MN!! I am keen, DH not so much... Help!

I mean it depends where in Lincolnshire. Are you looking for beaches or inland? I certainly wouldn’t be moving to chapel st Leonard’s or Ingoldmells or skeggy and even mablethorpe is a bit Eugh in places.

Don’t think there are mainly sailing clubs and that either. Be better off the other side of the wash.

God no.

@Wilkolampshade

God no.

What the whole county? Helpful much

Lincoln itself is a lovely city though it can get busy. There are some really nice villages and you are only a short drive to the coast. You will definitely get a lovely property for a Devon budget. It is very flat though which is one of the only things I don't love about it.

Where abouts in Lincolnshire? It's a pretty big county

I've lived here for most of my life - well either North Lincs, or Lincs - currently just in Lincs, practically on the border of the 2. I love it and couldn't imagine living anywhere else.

There are some sailing clubs, but these are North / North East Lincs I don't have much knowledge on more southern Lincs.
Loads of lovely walks, nice little market towns. Lincoln is beautiful.

Being able to drive is a must imho.

It's not that flat, it just depends where you are

www.lincswolds.org.uk/

I was in the RAF and served at 2 stations in Lincolnshire. It wasn't for me as the flatness 9f it just depressed me but I come from North Wales so used to mountains and beaches. Lincoln is a lovely place but there are some really rundown areas to avoid as a pp mentioned. Avoid Boston like the plague. Have you thought about Norfolk?

I'm in south Lincs - feel free to ask about town/villages in this area

Lincolnshire wolds is a really lovely area

I'm on the coast at Cleethorpes. Lovely place, yacht club, sandy beaches, nice parks and some lovely slightly out of town places to live.

@YellowbellyLass I am open really - the sailing is not top priority, we love the coast but we are flexible. I suppose I just want quiet, walking and a nice village/town. Our children have grown up - one in London, one in Oxford and the other abroad so no ties to schools etc. We don't need wine bars, theatres etc. I go away with my work and my job is full on, so want a quiet home life. South maybe better than the north?
@Wilkolampshade why no?

Depends where of course. The Lincolnshire wolds is nice. A friend moved from the south and bought a lovely big house there with land. They've since got horses, chickens and sheep and are loving the peace and quiet

thank you @4cats1dog that would be really helpful once we narrow it down

As previous posters have said the Wolds are far from flat! Obviously not mountainous but there is are some wonderful hilly walks and beautiful areas in that part of Lincolnshire. If rural is your thing, I'd look at the villages between Caistor and Market Rasen, if you like small towns then those two wouldn't be a bad choice and Lincoln is very a pleasant city!

I moved here 14 years ago and whilst there are areas that aren't as appealing (Scunthorpe /Skegvegas I'm looking at you!!) 😆 for the most part it's lovely and housing is so much more affordable!

I would look at south west Lincolnshire - Stamford , Bourne areas - this would mean you would be close to Rutland Water which is good for sailing.

I was born & grew up in Lincolnshire & most of my family still live there, so I know the area very well.
In my experience the Lincolnshire coast is really run down & chavvy. However as a city, Lincoln has developed & is much much nicer than ever it was. The county also has some quaint market towns & villages, however there’s a reason it’s so cheap.
The whole county is archaic & antiquated. I would advise spending a good amount of time there before you make potentiality expensive mistake.

I've lived in Lincolnshire my entire life. The wolds are beautiful , there's so many nice villages to the West of Sleaford and to the south west of Lincs.
I would avoid places like Skegness.
All depends what you need really, railway / transport links?

You’ll find Lincolnshire very, very flat compared to Devon. Personally I find Lincolnshire deeply uninspiring after living in beautiful Devon for many years. I guess it depends on how you feel about scenery.
Maybe I haven’t seen the best of Lincolnshire yet, but for walks, sailing etc I would say it’s a very poor choice.

@butmumineedit

I would look at south west Lincolnshire - Stamford , Bourne areas - this would mean you would be close to Rutland Water which is good for sailing.

Good idea. Some of the villages around Stamford are lovely and the town itself is gorgeous. We travel 30 miles for a wander round the shops sometimes.

@Helenahandkart that's the problem, it is so beautiful here, we live in South Devon and have amazing walks from our doorstep, coastal walks that are stunning and I never tire of it - even though I have lived here most of my life. So its getting the balance of a larger plot (smaller house more rural) against everything the area has to offer .
No requirements for travel/rail - I do travel away occasionally with my job but Devon is not convenient for air travel/northern cities/London either!!

As a Lincolnshire resident for 29 of my 40 years, I might be able to help. Lincs is a huge county, over 2,500 sq miles if you include N and NE Lincs. We have fens, wolds, coast, villages, towns and a city. We're isolated, but on the main line into King's Cross and in parts only 20 miles from Nottingham.

If you could outline what you're looking to spend, and what kind of house you'd like, that would help. Some parts of the country are cheap (eg Gainsborough), others much more expensive (eg Stamford). If you're after 'quiet, walking and a nice village/town', the area around Stamford may suit, as might the Vale of Belvoir, which stretches into Notts and Leics.

Meh - it’s Norfolk but not as nice. Very flat - so, big skies. But meh - like @BadTimesAtTheElRoyale I grew up in North Wales (Hi!) so that’s probably why I have such an aversion to flat areas.
I’d go for north Norfolk over Lincs

@TheFoldOx looking to spend max £475, detached if poss. min 3 beds, fair sized garden and garage if poss. Love character properties. Don't mind very rural, not middle of city. Is that doable?

@colderandeatsmincepiesalot my husband's family are all from there, Lincoln City and villages close. The city has generally improved immeasurably over the 30 years I've known it but the coast remains largely bleak and very run down. The villages near Lincoln itself can be pretty but are often marred by the sound of the bypass in the near distance and for me, really insular and Brexity which personally, I hated.
In its defence, it has an impressively low rainfall per annum. And great soil for growing sugar beet.