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…!!

Shropshire?

Southend or Leigh on sea, has selective secondary schools, good rail links into London, near to country side and the sea/estuary.

Devon/cornwall but in one of the cities

Exeter yes
Truro no

East Devon - many villages with 15 mins M5 or Exeter/ Exeter Airport, have a look at villages on the London / Waterloo line. DD and I often pop up to London for a days shopping or overnight etc. Also it means as a teenager she can go to Exeter independently with friends. Good/ Outstanding primary and secondaries schools. Also 2 grammars ( Colyton and Torquay ) both possibilities depending where you live.
Plymouth is only 40 minute drive and has a lot of West end shows at the Theatre Royal.
Lovely beaches and central for both Dartmoor and Exmoor.
We moved down from Surrey and wouldn't choose to go back.

I wouldn't go any further west than Exeter though personally as you have to get Exeter to go anywhere else.

The Wirral. Affordable,beaches, countryside, good schools (still has selective grammar system if that interests you), great transport links to Liverpool Chester & Manchester. Leeds and Sheffield under 2 hours drive away.
Look at Wallasey, New Brighton (enjoying a bit of a hipster moment) Hoylake & West Kirby for easy beach access. Heswall, Prenton, Oxton & Bebington are all doable on your budget but are a little more suburban. Oxton & Heswall both have good local high streets.

Weston super mare. I lived there for 3 years many moons ago and I go back every year for a few days. I love it.

Yes exactly. And Cornwall is very different (a few years behind is the nicest way to put it! Am Cornish and it drives me mad)

Durham

Norfolk

zero green space, southend is a dump and OP couldn’t afford leigh with that budget.

Where in Northumberland would people recommend - not sure what constitutes West Northumberland that people mentioned?

I am a big fan of Exmoor. A beautiful area

I'm over in Hexham, that's West Northumberland. It's very lovely here. Great schools, wonderful countryside and great people. The only downside is that it's too far to the beach.

Same!

I live just outside Exeter, next to the beach. I watch the boats out to see over a cuppa every morning. Good airport connections at Bristol and the train goes directly from here to London Paddington in 2.5 hours. Lovely rural areas like Dartmoor, and loads of beach resorts too. Gets busy in summer with tourists but locals know where the quiet spots are. You could get a modest house for £350k here. Plenty of bargains in the South West now due to general economic times and change to business rates/ double council tax coming for second homes. Holiday homes are not so attractive as they used to be so some owners are selling them off.

We're East Mids and there are some really lovely spots here. Money goes a long way - £350k can get you a four-bed detached in a nice area, close to good schools.

We're not close to the sea, but we're relatively close to everywhere being situated slap bang in the middle of the country. Lots of glorious countryside, farm shops, country parks, market towns, lovely villages, and there's bigger cities close by such as Leicester, Nottingham, Derby, Birmingham, Coventry.

It feels safe so kids can have plenty of freedom and there's tonnes of opportunity work wise too. It's not chocolate box pretty, but you can have a really good standard of living here, and people are really friendly - lots of hellos when you walk your dog!

I would choose either Knaresborough, Malton or one of the villages between Exeter and Plymouth.

Central London because I’ve loved it there since I was a child.

Anywhere on the North Devon coast. Would need to learn how to drive though!

But property in Chichester is more expensive than in some other parts of the south coast. Lovely city, but expensive if you're looking to buy there - I'm in Portsmouth.

Fareham/Gosport area. You'll be between Portsmouth and Southampton which your teenagers will find their way to for their evening entertainment. Coast and beautiful countryside on your doorstep. Winchester/Chichester nearby. Ferries to the continent. Loads of attractions, lots going on - great place to start again.

For £350,000 in central London you’d be lucky to get a cupboard.

You could squeak York on 350k although you’ll get a lot less for your money than other parts of North Yorkshire. Malton is really lovely and your money would get you somewhere nice there. You’re between York and Leeds.
The only thing is the coast. Much as I love York, I really wouldn’t describe it as having the sea on the doorstep as someone else has. It’s a decent drive, and on nice days the road to the coast is horrendous.