Where are the alternative / eco-friendly places to live in the UK?

[Tunicate]

I'm going to move sometime next year and trying to find places that are a bit more alternative. Birmingham is a consumerist desert - or at least the bits I can afford are, and I'd rather not live in a big city. I can pick anywhere really as I can get work most places, but I'd like to put down some roots somewhere there are at least a few like-minded folks.

Need to go and check out places now before I apply for jobs. South Devon looks interesting and I can just about afford the cheaper parts. Maybe Suffolk coast. I like Lancaster.

Where else should I consider? Anyone live anywhere good?

I was also going to say Machynlleth, Corris etc. West Wales basically.

Shrewsbury is quite Bohemian but not particularly green i don't think.

I live near Leiston in Suffolk. You may be put off by nearby Sizewell B Nuclear power station! But there was a big campaign a few years ago to stop Tesco building in nearby Saxmundham. It was a success and as a result local food thrives. Most Summerhill children are boarders so not really any alternative families grouped in the area (as far as I know).
It is a beautiful place to live.

Yes they did indeed - lots of times!

Takver- yes- you're right, I know the communities you're talking about- meetings and more meetings!

What I meant, which was close to my heart- and I certainly didn't mean to paint everything with one brush, (I apologise if that wass the impression I gave) was that if you have had the misfortune to live in or near a community where for instance, no one watches tv, eats any sugar or chips, drives, wears anything other than hand crafted wool, etc etc, and then judge you for straying from their ideal, it's not easy.

I was agreeing with barking really, because this has happened to us, but is an extreme situation I know.

Do you think co-housing is very different Tunicate? It seems to me sometimes that its just the latest name for the same thing - at least one of the co-housing developments that I know of is at least as communal as our community, if not more so.
I have to say that I do have a very low tolerance for meetings - to be fair, we only have one meeting a week, for a max of 2 hours - but it is one meeting too much for me!!! And I know exactly what you mean about the greener-than-thou thing - I think here was maybe like that in the past, but it was before we got here (good thing too given DH's tool-collecting abilities and my fondness for biscuits and chocolate )
What are the legal problems with a co-op? That's one thing we've not had any trouble with (but then we all rent rather than buy in, which is maybe easier?)

i thought york was quite unalternative too

more shopping and tourism and a lot of pubs and very busy

My friend lives near Shrewsbury and bemoans the lack of alternative activities in the area.

I would love to live in a housing co-op, I tried to find one when we last moved but the only one in the area was too far from our jobs, would have entailed long car commutes which was something we didn't want. I'm going to set one up one day, an old people's coop where we can all live together and tend chickens and play scrabble and cycle around in doddery fashion.

Oh yes, the communal side of things is the bit I like. To be fair, I don't know much about the legal structures of co-housing communities, so perhaps it's a case of me thinking the grass is greener. We rent as well - and I keep thinking we need more meetings...hmmm.

As far as I can make out, you can drive a herd of goats and a flock of rare-breed chickens through the legal structure of a bog-standard housing co-op and that's what puts me off a bit - but I'd better not put the details here as it's too public. I'm happy to explain if you're interested, my email is [email protected]

I was going to have a look at what kind of communities are nearby once I've picked an area I like.

Great comments ladies. We're looking to move somewhere eco / alternative this year but need to explore first as have never visited the places we're considering! Devon sounds fantastic, where about in Devon do you recommend Fennel as I don't know the area and would like some kind of town hub nearby (other than Totnes).

Stroud springs to mind 1st and foremost for it's ethics, arty and community vibe. Like you say, there's a big difference between eco minded and crystal shops & tarot readers!! and we're definitely looking for the former plus want to get involved with the arts scene.

Thanks for the suggestions, we look forward to exploring the south west this year! x

Stroud, or nailsworth, or somewhere in between. (tries not to out self).

Bristol, parts of Perthshire, stroud, hebden bridge. I live in Bristol which ticks all your boxes.

How much can you spend?

I visited my SIL in Stroud yesterday and the countryside is to die for. Green and hilly.

If you don't like capitalist funding, hope you are not planning to use the NHS, electricity/gas or a state funded school.

Findhorn in Moray.

https://www.ecovillagefindhorn.com

Have you ever heard of cohousing? I never had but then saw a cohousing home on Rightmove & ended up moving in. It's great to know my neighbours better & be able to bring up DD with room to run around & play without traffic or cars getting in the way. www.postliphall.org.uk/