To want to move Machynlleth

[Newsdale54]

Single, late 30’s, leftie, veggie etc etc. Love the outdoors and have a lot of outdoor hobbies. Work remotely and part-time in a well paid job and after having a gander I can see i could afford my dream home there. No particular roots anywhere and have been looking to live more rurally again (did for a few years in North Wales and miss living rurally - however one of the tricky things was the difficulty in developing friendships and community).

Have had a look online and think it could be a great place for me to settle. Close to the coast and the mountains but also seems to have a strong community vibe (although i’ve never been to Mach itself i’m familiar with the area having spent a lot of time hiking nearby).

it’s a few hours from friends and family however elderly parent would move with me too.

AIBU to consider moving to Machynlleth? Does anyone live there and know what it’s like? Has anyone made the move there from elsewhere - what’s your experience?

YABU - moving to Mach
YANBU - make the move!

Do it!!

No experience other than that I like it there!

I’ve only holidayed there but loved it so I say go for it! It’s also on the Mach Loop so if you’re into plane spotting, you’ll be happy 😊

Machynlleth is nice (based on a few visits). You could do a lot worse than live there.

Where do you live now? Do you know anyone there, or near there?

If you are definitely ready to move somewhere relatively small and fairly remote it's a nice spot to be. I would warn you not to underestimate the dislocation that people can feel when moving from big cities though, if that's where you are now.

Small, rural towns often look a lot nicer and friendlier when you visit than they do when you actually live there. It's a cliche but it takes a very long time to be accepted in a place like this. If you have no roots or connections there or none you can get to easily it might be quite alienating.

We have family there. It really is lovely but it is very very rural including hospitals etc. just bear this in mind. Beautiful area. And roads aren’t the simplest for getting back to civilisation either.

thanks for all the responses so far! @MissingMoominMamma and @CaineRaine what do you like about it?

@Thepeopleversuswork some good points and i guess that’s my main worry with the possible isolation. I lived in a small village in North Wales for a few years and loved it but it was definitely hard to break into the local spaces being an incomer. Currently live in a v small town but want to live more rurally again. I grew up in the countryside so that’s not too much of a bother but definitely connection is something i need!

I love the comedy festival at Mach - better than the Edinburgh Fringe! And it is lovely round there, if a little wet!

Really lovely area of the country. However for me far too isolated. While you have Aberystwyth nearby as a large town, and a few others on the boarder. The next closest 'big' cities are Birmingham, over 2 hours away and then slightly closer Wrexham or Chester neither of which are particularly big.

your elderly parent would move with you?

What would it mean for them - eg health care access, any community activities, can they go out for walks, etc?

It is lovely but really quite remote. Internet is patchy. A long way from proper hospitals etc and hard (ish) - there is the train line) to get to.

Have you considered Aberystwyth? Still rural but nice town, better transport links, or a nearby village?

Thanks all for your helpful replies.

re: living remotely, as i say, i’m quite familiar with this and do prefer it, having lived in rural north wales for a number of years. As long as there’s a sense of community in the place i live itself, i’m good with that. So wondering if it’s the sort of place that welcomes incomers. I’m also familiar with a lack of healthcare again having lived in rural North Wales for a number of years and growing up in a small village

i did consider Aber but having researched both, it seems Mach is more my vibe eg environmental aspect, alternative ways of living etc but good suggestion.

elderly parent was a bit of an exaggeration - they’re a spritely 60 year old and keen to make the move to live more rurally again (we lived in a small village when i was growing up and they’re keen to get back to similar).

Doesn't George Monbiot live there? I like his style of writing/thinking.

What would put me off is the rain. But if that doesn't faze you, then go for it.