Best place to live?

[relocatingbear]

I am moving back to England after 10 years abroad. Coming back with a wife and three kids under six. Not very keen on moving back to where I grew up in (Coventry). Question is, if you could live anywhere in the UK where would you live? Priorities are Outstanding schools and weekend activities for the whole family. If I were to buy, budget is £650k. I am moving from Australia where we had a large house with incredible space, I am aware that I may never replicate that again but alas, I must come back home.

It's going to be hard to find a house big enough in an area with outstanding schools and lovely outdoors for that budget, but we have lived in Winchester and Trafford. Both have great outdoor areas nearby and excellent schools. Both easy for international airports (Trafford slightly easier).

Thank you @Mumaway for the response. Winchester looks great, will continue to look into the various options. Agreed on the budget for a house...

Oxfordshire. Great connections (road and rail) to elsewhere. Property cheaper than London (but not hugely so unfortunately). Able to live semi rural but within a very reasonable train travel distance to London, Bath, Bristol, Reading.

Caversham in Reading is lovely for families. Reading has outstanding schools of all kinds - grammar (Kendrick girls and Reading boys consistently in the top % in the country for example), private and good comprehensives too, and in Caversham you have the river for walks, canoeing, cycling etc., nice coffee shops, greenery, parks, plus London on your doorstep (25 minutes from Reading station to Paddington, also the Elizabeth line). Your budget would get you a semi-detached in a beautiful area with a 150ft garden and change, e.g.: https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/143748323#/?channel=RES_BUY

Or you could go the opposite end of the country and move to Sheffield! Peaks on your doorstep, lively city, friendly people. I miss it!

Just England or Wales and Scotland etc?