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…!!

Chester, short distance to beautiful welsh mountains and beaches but a great small, very sociable city.

I would say North Somerset, BANES or Devon.

You could get an enormous house for that price in Liverpool. Don't believe the stereotypes - we're all friendly, welcoming and have a great sense of community.

York is nice, thriving cultural city with moors, dales and beaches on your doorstep. I know you said no further north than Sheffield but York is well connected by the railway so less than 2 hours to London.

How old are your children? Are they school age? Do you drive? Where is your family support? What do you do for a job?

If you’ve got DC I wouldn’t uproot them from school because you want a fresh start. You need to be somewhere with lots for you all to do/join in with to avoid isolation in a new place.

What are your hobbies? Are you outdoorsy? You’ve not given us enough info to go on. In your shoes I’d stay put. If you’ve only just split up from a DP you need to give your head time to settle.

I live in the South East…a move to West Yorkshire is something I’ve been toying with for a while now as I love it there.

The first part of your question: Chelsea.
Second part: no idea, but if I had to leave London I enjoyed Cambridge and could see myself living there.

Herefordshire is stunningly beautiful but generally overlooked.

Oh that's where they were hiding 😂

Wow! Thanks so much for all your suggestions. It’s interesting that quite a few of them are place s I’m considering so that’s reassuring. I didn’t predict the love for Northumberland so that might have to go on the list, even though it’s quite far from everything.

in terms of Winchester, Chichester and similar. Would love something there but think my budget would mean comprising on the house too much. Same for the New Forest.

Worthing and Chippenham are places I’m considering. So is Exeter as it’s always seemed like a vibrant smallish city but quite pricy. I also adore the Peak District but was unsure where to look around there. Thoughts on Chesterfield and Sheffield?

I grew up in East Anglia so would prefer not to move back. Nothing wrong with it but I’ve realised I really appreciate rugged and rolling hills over the flatness of the fens.

Shropshire is another place On the list, particularly Shrewsbury. It looks very quaint and seems to have good schools. My daughter is primary-aged for whoever asked. Still a couple more years to go so the focus is on secondary schools now

thanks for all your suggestions so far. I knew you could help 🙂. Any more info/opinions on the places I’ve mentioned would be much appreciated.

For Peak District, Buxton, lots to do and trains to both Manchester and Sheffield. Bakewell is nice too. That's the pretty Peak District, Glossop or New Mills if you prefer rugged! I love Hayfield but access to things for DD and my work needs means we went for one of the larger towns with access to Manchester by public transport.

If the coast is important, Chester is a good suggestion for access to North Wales

New Forest - where I now live😊

So presumably somewhere like Weston, or Burnham.

I love Somerset (I was born and brought up there) but if you want a seaside resort where you can swim, I wouldn't recommend either if those places. They were our nearest beaches when I was a child but we never swam there - we always went down to the south coast.

At the risk of stating the obvious, if your original thoughts were no further than Sheffield/Birmingham to be closer to your friendship network further south, Northumberland is quite onerous to travel to and from. I say this with a reasonable amount of experience as a born & bred Northumbrian who has lived in Leeds & London at various times with family still in the county.

Northumberland

Have you considered Kent? A lot of towns are within 45 minutes - 1hr of the coast, and easy to get to London etc. it’s a grammar school area so there’s good schools also.

Folkstone
Up and coming

Surprised no mentions for the Wirral.

Excellent schools. Excellent public transport and close to Liverpool and Manchester (and Chester)

Close to the beach. Parts of the Wirral no chance for £350k, but you could get something like this which is in catchment for two decent grammar schools.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/126929207#/?channel=RES_BUY

Not East Anglia then? Nottingham perhaps? Great for music, close to beautiful countryside, Peak District etc. You'd be able to afford a 3 bed in good area or in one of the surrounding villages. Northumberland is my dream destination on so many levels - space, beaches, beauty although it loses points for the weather. Many a summer we've spent there dressed in our warm coats while it's been 5 or 10 degrees warmer down South.

Liverpool. Or Penrith as my sister lived there and my parents are moving there. Unfortunately not the right work for me there. So
I'll have to stay put in dreary Nottingham.

Brighton or Covent Garden. Both buzzing

Oh dear, I'd just suggested Nottingham! Always interesting to hear about a place from someone with a different perspective. I've only ever visited some good friends there and had a brilliant time in the city with them.

@FoodFestfFork I was fine with Nottingham until I discovered Liverpool!

I believe there may be a factory where lots of them are made . Most models never make it down south to where I live sadly.

The North Yorkshire moors. Beautiful countryside and close to the likes of Robin Hood's Bay, Sandsend, Whitby.

North East Northumberland. Some gorgeous little villages, fabulous countryside and not far from the sea, too.

Troutbeck in the Lake District. My dream place to live.

OP I’m delighted you said Shrewsbury. I was reading the whole thread screaming SHROPSHIRE in my head .

Shrewsbury is the best place in the entire world and I’ll fight anyone who says otherwise.