Moving Dilemma

[LookAtThatCritter]

I'm from the UK but I've lived in the US for the last 10ish years (i'm dual citizen). Despite living in several different states, I still haven't managed to actually settle and still think of the UK as home. Now I have a toddler and the idea of sending him to school in the US is frankly terrifying. So we're thinking of moving back to the UK in a few years but can't quite make our mind up.

Has anyone lived in the US specifically and moved back - how was the transition? Any advice?

We like the countryside, I like being near dog walking trails, National Trust properties, old pubs and seeing animals in fields as I pass by. I'd like to be close enough to a big town that I could get to the shops and a theatre etc pretty easily with public transport, but I don't really want to be in a busy area. It HAS to be safe. I don't want to be in the South East either, but otherwise we're really open to locations and have been looking into Yorkshire. Any suggestions of places that might fit?

Would love to hear any thoughts, even if it wasn't the US you lived in. Thank you!!

There’s a mum I like to follow called Caroline Parker (mummy flipping houses) who has just moved back to the UK and lived the US for around 10 years too. I think her main motivation is very similar to yours so might be worth a YouTube rabbit hole 🤣😂

I like the wirral for the countryside and beaches but then easy access to Chester or Liverpool.

Harrogate is lovely and close to leeds. Cheaper housing options would be East Riding inbetween leeds / hull which has the Yorkshire wolds on the door stop.

I lived in the USA for 5 years and moved back. Couldn't face the school system for starter's.

I think you would like where I am in n Somerset from your description, small town, surrounded by fields, beach of sorts too, but frequent bus (and planned train) to the city centre 10 miles away , London is under 2 hours if you want a fix of that, but plenty of culture locally. Fairly affluent and kids as young as 10 are safe to walk about with friends.

I've seen her come up on my facebook feed a few times actually, I think I'll dive into her accounts a little later and have a watch! Thank you - will check those places out!

I've liked Somerset everytime that I've gone through - your description sounds like exactly what we'd be looking for, thank you! Will add it to the research list. Do you feel like you made the right decision?

I recommend East Cheshire - the peak district on your doorstep, beautiful countryside and pubs, rolling hills, chocolate box villages. Yet we're half an hour into Manchester and also close enough to Manchester airport!

Definitely North Yorkshire - have a look at some market towns like Thirsk, Easingwold or Helmsley. Wonderful places to live and cheaper than York or Harrogate.

Thanks @Meggy123! I'll look into those suggestions. Is there anywhere in North Yorkshire that you would say is better to avoid or is it all generally pretty great? :)

There are lots of wonderful towns in North Yorkshire and depends what you want. York and Harrogate are big and busy but some of the smaller market towns like Thirsk are lovely, if you want village life there are lots of villages off the A1 corridor like Marton cum Grafton with easy access to York for trains to London and only an hour from the coast or moors.