To ask for your suggestions on where to live in the UK, south of France, Northern Italy or Spain

[Kigali78]

I’d value your suggestions.

I work in Asia and will soon be selling a house in the UK near London. I’d like to buy a small place (2-3 bedrooms / apartment or townhouse) in a pines town/city but have no idea where - somewhere around the Mediterranean, or in the UK.

I’m looking for:
-somewhere coastal or on a river
-somewhere pretty - an attractive town/city
-somewhere where I can walk to restaurants, bars and cafes
-somewhere with stunning countryside nearby
-low crime
-if not in the UK, then within 30km from a decent airport

In terms of prices - if not in the UK, then to about £150k. In the UK - up to about £250-£300k

Thanks ☺️ if you like where you live, please suggest it!

I was going to suggest Greece or Turkey- somewhere like Glyfada is only just outside Athens but coastal and attractive and I think will be in budget.

My current house is close to Marlow - I’m aware of those prices! Marlow is definitely not on the list 😂

I looked at Malaga last week (recommended by ChatGPT), and it’s in the running.

I’ve been researching Perpignan too. Looks pretty decent. Hits all my boxes. I could reduce the bedrooms needed to 2 if buying in France.

This is a good YouTube video on the area.

Bangor and the surrounding areas in Northern Ireland will tick all your boxes and is about 10k from Belfast City Airport. Here are some properties in your price range.

https://www.propertypal.com/property-for-sale/bangor/price-100000-250000

I would have suggested San Sebastián in northern Spain as it meets all your criteria, especially the countryside, coast, river and food, but I’m not sure you’d find anywhere for that price unfortunately.

@jenandberrys Pezenas looks stunning - just the look that I am after - cobbled, narrow streets, lots of cafes / restaurants. Fairly cheap property and lots of roof terraces.

I’ll have to visit the Languedoc region in the summer and take a look round.

For Spain, if you want stunning countryside, then you'll need to look at the north. I find the hotter, drier areas quite ugly and scrubby, but the towns can be pretty. Have a look around Bilbao, Santander, Santiago de Compostela.

UK, I'd try Northumberland, within reach of Newcastle airport or perhaps parts of Yorkshire within reach of Leeds airport, though can be pricey.

Scotland also an option.

Do you need work?

It’s gorgeous. Can be a little bit touristy but you have Beziers close by which has everything you need day to day and it is a living town all year round. Also close to gorgeous beaches.

Near Peebles Scotland

Be careful. Lots of airports such as Carcassonne only have flights in the summer month. North and South of Barcelona would be good but you need a lot of money now for residency (assuming a non EU passport!) in Spain and property around BCN is expensive.

Portugal is a little easier regarding residency and might be worth checking

Take a look at Antequera about 50 minutes north from Malaga airport. It’s a beautiful city and only a few tourists visit near the ‘Lake District’ of Spain.

-somewhere coastal or on a river
-somewhere pretty - an attractive town/city
-somewhere where I can walk to restaurants, bars and cafes
-somewhere with stunning countryside nearby
-low crime

In the UK for your budget and requirements I would suggest Shrewsbury would tick all of your boxes - lovely place. You could also afford a nice house or flat within budget.

Thanks! I’ve actually been looking at places in Whitley Bay too. I lived in the NE for several years and loved it.

https://originalshrewsbury.co.uk/your-visit/town-areas/the-square-high-street-milk-street

And yes, I have to work, but will have 15 weeks-ish per year when I’m free to travel. I’m currently in Asia and accommodation is paid for. I’m considering the Middle East as it’s closer to Europe, but still well paid.

I have a child who will go to uni in the UK next year, so am considering buying a 2 bed apartment for her and then something abroad too, although that will mean I’ll have to take on a mortgage.

Your budget is really low to get that list of things in uk.

Gah hate it when you take the time to post then the op completely ignores you.....!

I would move to southern Spain tmw if I didn't have family commitments here

You could get a two bed flat in Shoreham by Sea

www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/homes-and-gardens/places-to-live/22576473.like-live-shoreham-by-sea/#:~:text=Shoreham%20has%20a%20perfect%20location,beauty%2C%20it's%20also%20extremely%20accessible.

I’m happy with a flat. Needs parking but would rather not have a garden.

Give me time!!!

Thanks for all your suggestions so far - I’ve got a few tasks to do now IRL as well as researching all these areas.

Look at Varese in Northern Italy. Easy to get to Switzerland, the lakes and beautiful scenery, close enough to Milan and Milan Malpensa airport, plenty of employment and good railway links.
I worked there for a while - quite a busy, cosmopolitan city.

Inland Andalucia we’re really helpful when we were looking to buy in Spain.

Won't all of this depend on what visa you can get?