Emerging alternative & artist communities, South England, Cheap to buy?

[Sublime66]

As first time buyers 2022 is a frightening time to go house shopping with a small budget of around 400k for a 3 bed house with garden.

We’re wondering if there are any emerging alternative/open minded communities more affordable than the usual list of hotspots, somewhere between Devon and London? OH is a homeopath and I am an photographer/artist.

Usual hotspots are Totnes, Glastonbury, Stroud, Frome, Bristol, Brighton, Lewes, etc… but these areas have become incredibly over saturated and are now pretty exclusive when it comes to property prices and the types of people who can afford to live there.

There must be other locations at the earlier stages of development, on the up, with less inflation in property prices. Perhaps slightly less alternative without having to live in affordable but less interesting Swindon, Portland or Yeovil. Hastings could work but we prefer to be west of London due to family ties out that way.

Would appreciate any advice.

I have an old work friend in Shaftesbury who is always posting links to local artsy things on her Facebook. She is quite alternative and I get the feeling it’s of the vibe you’re looking for from what she’s told me of the area, although I’ve never actually visited her there.

Have a look at either Ross-on-Wye or Ledbury - both have a slightly bohemian vibe

Neither are inbetween Bristol and London

Are you only looking at the line between Bristol & London?
Or can you go further south?
If your budget has increased places like Frome would be an option, but are obviously more established.

I'd be looking again at Stroud on that budget - you'd definitely be able to get a 3-bed with garden for that amount.

I'd recommend some specific areas of Bournemouth in that case, Boscombe and Southbourne. Both blend into each other and both have an emerging artistic/bohemian/alternative vibe. You could get a house there with your budget. And it's beautiful.

I love all of ya'll wish I lived in Europe.
Read about the times to put me to sleep.

For a homeopath, would you not need to be near a client base with plenty of disposable income?