If you could move anywhere in England…?

[Greyscreendream]

Where would you choose and why?

I’m coming out of a long term relationship and am after a fresh start in a new area, currently in the Home Counties.

I love the countryside and would want to be close to green space. Would also like to be closer to the sea if possible.

I’m looking to be in a town or nearby, with good schools and affordable housing. My budget is £350k for a three bed, but could push this slightly for the right house.

This isn’t really an AIBU but I was hoping you guys could suggest some areas I may not have thought of. It’s so daunting when you can literally choose anywhere…!!

I would choose either Dorset (possibly Somerset too) as I love it when we visit the areas. It feels open, comfortable & safe.
Or the small village I grew up in about 15 minutes drive from central Plymouth. It has a wonderful community feel, open space but close to good aminities.
I do love where we love in Hampshire but the above two would be my top choices.

A village close to Norwich? It’s nice countryside and not over-populated and the north Norfolk coast is lovely. Ely is nice but it’s becoming one big housing estate and fenland is very inaccessible for walking because of all the drainage ditches. There’s also Bury St Edmonds, which is nearer to your friends and also has beautiful countryside.

We live in a nice part of the UK, but we've just been on holiday in Northumberland and the Borders. If it wasn't so far from family I would definitely consider moving there. The scenery (beaches and countryside) is stunning, wonderful food and very friendly people. We loved it. Shopping was limited, but some gorgeous yarn shops.

Sussex every time. Easy for London but 'real' villages and proper green spaces .. not to mention a national park .. but not cheap.. if money is tight next best favourite is Shropshire.

@GettingStuffed Is the "seaside resort in Somerset" is Minehead? I've just returned to the city after moving having escaped to the country four years ago. My goodness me it's isolated. No transport links at all. The nearest big place with an M&S and train link is Taunton an hour away. I really tried but found it impossible to make friends there. Incomers are old generally and locals who stay local do so because they like the isolation.

Framlingham in Suffolk. Castle, countryside, not far from the coast and good beaches within fairly easy reach of London.

How about Romsey?

Great market town with loads going on / food / pubs / festivals
Train to winchester / Southampton easily

Under half an hours drive to Bournemouth / southborne / highcliffe beaches about 45 minutes to sandbanks which is gorgeous!!

Right on the doorstep of the new forest for country.

Should absolutely get what you need for your budget, you wouldn't Much for your money in Winchester

Plymouth and surrounding areas. You will get a good house for £350k

Not near the sea, but Chippenham in Wiltshire would fit a lot of your requirements. Nice enough market town and you are out in the country side within minutes. Good schools. Plenty of houses in your price range. 15 mins by train into central Bath 30mins to Bristol, and just over an hour to go to London to visit your friends.

Norfolk is awesome but realistically North Norfolk has a huge second home population and i think you’ll be out priced, like wise the new forest.

Lincolnshire is a lot cheaper but doesn’t have the same appeal. I’d contemplate the Lincolnshire wolds but not if you want to be near civilisation, the main towns of Louth and horncastle are small sleepy places.

If I could go anywhere, I’d go to the Peak District, not ideal if you really do seek the coast but honestly the countryside there is so beautiful, rivers and hills and moors, such peace and beauty and winged by Sheffield, Manchester and Huddersfield so fairly lovely train lincs.

Norwich. Lovely city, close to the beautiful north Norfolk coast and good direct train service to London.

Peak District is absolutely lovely! Countryside, lovely restaurants/bars & cafes. Always something great on. No sea but really pretty, safe & low crime with a great community feel. Direct train to Manchester.

Not England but Northern Ireland, flights to London cheaper than trains, you’d get a good house for your budget and the schools are really good. I get not wanting to move too far but I know having lived in England I made much more of an effort to see folk back home than I do now I live round the corner in Belfast!

Cheaper than trains between cities in England, I know you can’t get the train from Belfast to London!

Where are you finding 3 bedroom houses in Romsey for £350,000?

I live in South Devon and honestly there’s nowhere I’d rather live now. I’ve lived up north, in the Home Counties and in London but Devon has taken my heart. We’ve got Exeter a few miles away, two miles from the coast, 20 mins to the moors, direct train to London. It’s not the cheapest place in the country to live but you can get a decent house for your budget.

If I could move anywhere in the U.K., it would probably be Scotland - maybe Inverness. I love the Highlands.

Within England, I agree with one of the early posts about west Northumberland. Northumberland is the best kept secret in Britain. The borderland area between Scotland and England is gorgeous.

This.

Northumberland is glorious. Best beaches in the country, stunning countryside, people are salt of the earth and you can get a huge 5 bed detached for that money.

Newcastle is on the doorstep. Its a no brainer honestly.

Not sure you've taken the budget into account. I live in the NF and £350k won't buy you a nice 3 bed house and garden.

Northumberland

The Vale of Belvoir

Not far from central Nottingham, great schools, an hour in the train from Grantham straight into London - for 350k you could get something comfortable or a really great family house for only slightly more.

And another vote for the Peak District

The seaside resort is closer to Bristol and has good transport links

I'm sorry he's done that but yes a new start for you and your daughter

Your budget and geographical preferences make it a little hard but what about somewhere like Worthing? I know a few people who have moved there and the prices are still reasonable.

I moved to just outside Bristol. You can just get a 3 bed for your budget too. I'm 5 mins walk from the beach (ok not a nice beach but has nice views). Large number of midlife relocations too