Relocating to the UK

[MMDSH]

Hello everyone!

So we are thinking about moving to the UK (partner is native) when our kids are 3-5, but we have seen the housing costs and the rents in the areas (near family) where we would like to live and it is incredibly expensive unfortunately and out of our price range.

Any suggestions to an lgbt-friendly town with affordable rental property/or housing in Hertfordshire? (not Luton though).

I would love to know if anyone has an answer to this question as well. We're relocating and trying to find a family- and LGBT-friendly area with easy commuting to the University of Hertfordshire.

@kterzano Hello there! We've looking at Colchester and Northampton and they look quite affordable but I do not know if lgbt friendly or not.

It's not worth it if I cannot hold hands or show affection to my partner in public.

Hoping someone has an answer.

(I apologise for saying Luton is in Hertfordshire btw, excuse my ignorance.)

@MMDSH I totally agree — being able to be open about our relationship is important to us.

Northampton and Colchester are a bit further afield than where we’re considering, simply because of my commute. Right now we’re thinking St. Albans, Welwyn, Welwyn Garden City, or Hatfield.

I don't think anyone would bat an eye lid in those areas @kterzano. St. Albans is very expensive and on a different train line to WGC and Hatfield.

Hatfield isn't exactly a pretty place.

Slightly further down in Potters bar and slightly further up is Hitchin, which both might be worth look.

@TurtleBackUp Thank you — that’s helpful. We’re hoping for some architectural charm, which maybe means that Hatfield isn’t it? Our son will be less than a year old when we move so we are really needing somewhere quiet, as well as safe enough to push the stroller / pram around on walks.

Is affordable (on a lecturer’s salary), safe, gay friendly, commutable to the university, and aesthetically pleasing too long of a list? I should mention too that we won’t have a car, at least not initially.

@MMDSH Also, sorry! I didn't mean to move the conversation away from the areas where you're considering living.

Just curious -- why not Luton? (I don't know anything about Luton.)