To move to Yorkshire from the south coast on my own?

[MintyCedric]

It’s a medium term plan (DD currently at uni and elderly mum would make it difficult atm) …probably in the next 3-5 years…I’ll be in my early fifties by then.

I’ve lived on the south coast since I was toddler, but these days I have about 3 friends here…one is single but has a very active social life, the other two are married with family commitments.

I fell in love with Yorkshire when I visited for the first time about 8 years ago. I feel like it has all the cultural stuff that interests me, but with less pretension and I love the countryside up there. I’d also be able to get a nicer house than my current one with no mortgage…a major consideration as my mortgage currently runs until I’m 67 and I have limited pension provision.

Despite all these pros, my DD and my best mate are being quite negative and unsupportive. They feel I ‘made more effort’ here to socialise I wouldn’t want to move, but it’s really not about that…I just want a fresh start.

AIBU to think I could move in my fifties, on my own and create a new life for myself?

And if anyone has any opinions on Harrogate and surrounding areas or Otley/Burley/Poole in Wharfdale as places to live…bring it on!

Ah thanks @Sidebeforeself that's a bit clearer.
Hope they can hang on in the Premiership if they get there.

What’s your budget ? Some of these places are desirable and expensive. So much money sloshing about in that area it’s unbelievable.

@Thekatzenjammerkid

£220k would leave me mortgage free.

£265k absolute max I think. That would reduce my mortgage payments by 40%

I’m not sure what your requirements/essentials are but that’s not a huge budget for those areas. Make sure you get good advice if you look at buying somewhere as you might end up on a less desirable street.

Agree. I want to move back to York and my budget is your top one. I’m struggling to find anything as nice as I have now tbh but I live in a much cheaper area.
Harrogate seems to be full of apartments and flats at that price although some are in really grand buildings !
Have you thought of Otley ? Nice small town vibe but no station I think ? Or Ripon ?
https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/lifestyle/homes-and-gardens/affordable-alternatives-to-golden-triangle-hotspots-866569 Good read !

I'm doing this in 2024!! I'm 52 and ready for a new start!!

Snap @Objectrelations same age, moving this year.

Ooh exciting - once we are all there we can all have a meet up!! I'm going to be looking at York, Thirsk, Pocklington and Knaresborough!

Great idea. I'm hoping that when I am ready to look I can have a similar thread to have help. I'm finding rightmove overwhelming. Even if I find something I like the houses are all listed with different agents so how I coordinate viewings when I live in the SE feels impossible.

The Yorkshire Refugees club!

I’ve found a few things I like, but obvs need to check out the specifics of the areas they’re in hence the trip over summer.

Oooh are you all from Yorkshire ?
Thirsk and Knaresborough aren’t actually that close. North Yorks is big !
My budget isn't great tbh. Bit depressing as I’m coming from somewhere where property prices are cheaper so I’ll likely end up with something even smaller than I’ve got lol.

I'm from Yorkshire. Currently living in Kent. Can't wait to move. Not sure where I'll end up but know where I need to be near.

I like Pocklington.

Oooh are you all from Yorkshire ?

Yes born here and lived here all my life.
Id be very careful if considering Yeadon/Horsforth that you aren’t going to be affected by the flights in and out of Leeds Bradford Airport.

I reckon a Yorkshire meet- up for existing, prospective and new Yorkshire dwellers would be a great idea. Perhaps a pub lunch or afternoon tea . Keep us up to date with your property searches.

I'm feeling emotional. See this is why I want to move home. Everyone is so welcome and lovely.

A trip to Betty's @Cleaningupthemess?

When we moved from Kent to Yorkshire we booked to see 15 houses in a week. Luckily we liked 3 that we saw, and one became the favourite. We then made an offer once we got home and the process was pretty similar to normal. We did drive up for a second viewing, and then again to meet a surveyor. But it was all quite quick once we'd made the decision.
The hardest part was the different approaches taken by Southern v northern solicitors. Ours wanted everything done to the letter, all "I"s dotted and "t"s crossed. Their Northern counterpart was more laid back. Having lived here a few years now, we're used to the more chilled approach - things happen when they happen. Which is no bad thing - just odd when you're used to a frenzied south east way of doing things!

I’m due up from 31st July for 4 days if anyone else is up for then!

RampantIvy. You read my mind

Those of you who’ve already relocated…what did you do about jobs?

The logistics of tying up a house sale and purchase and finding a new job all in a timescale is a bit daunting.

I ajways imagined if I planned a move like this then I'd rent my current house out and rent a property for a year to see I manage to settle in ok especially with DC

Exciting to see things are progressing OP!
I mentioned York side of Harrogate last time, but Northallerton is also a decent bet; on the ECML, nice market town either way good range of shops, county hall (head office of council) is there too.

But loads of other good advice on here / there's plenty of places to pick from!

I got a council job, and got a (relatively modest) relocation allowance. We rented whilst we sold our house. Ended up doing a part exchange, but our timing was terrible as I moved jobs just as the financial crisis hit. 🫣

I moved from south Essex to West Yorkshire (Hebden Bridge to be precise) 9 years ago.
I do like the scenery and history here, but I do miss my social connections. I’ve made some here of course, but I’ve never felt like I totally belong. There are lots of nice walks near here as we are very close to the Pennine way.

The weird thing is @Dominospizza ive never felt like I fit in where I live now, despite having lived here since I was 3 years old.

I have 3 friends that I’d consider ‘close’ here, only one of which was born here. They are all busy with their own lives and although I can call 2/3 in an emergency and they’ll be fabulous, it’s usually me that reaches out to make social arrangements.

I’ve made a lot of friends online over the last 14 years and the move wouldn’t make it any more difficult to see them from time to time, plus I’d be coming back frequently as my elderly mum would stay here.