Relocation - where shall we move 2 ?

[Kaz33]

Thanks for everyone who responded to my earlier thread but still interested in thoughts/ recommendations by any evening posters.

Presently in central london but looking to move out. As DP can work from home we are very flexible, too much choice and therefore no idea where to look !!

We need:

• Central London accessible by rail in 2 hours door to door
• Major airport no more than 2 hours away
• Good state schools ( primary & secondary )
• 3/4 bed house no more than 300K
• Large town / small city with loads for kids to do
• Countryside easily accessible
• Happy to go any direction though would prefer not to go east of london.

Any thoughts ?

Ah well, I'm still keen on the concrete cows...

We're terrible at making friends, so better rule Bath out

I used to live in York and I absolutely LOVE it. I'd move back there tomorrow if it wasn't so far from dp's work.

If I could find a southern equivalent I'd move there - anyone any ideas??

Sorry Kaz, hope I'm not intruding too much on your thread...x

I reckon Bath is the south's York, or maybe Cambridge.....

Charleypops, yes, would agree, Bath is the York of the south, at least in looks anyway I think.

I love the look of Bath - I love historical places, but have been put off by what I've read about it's "old school" cliqueyness. I'll have a baby in June and you reckon it's easier to make friends if you have kids? Did you like it all?

I've thought also about Cambridge and Oxford, but I'm put off by the thought of all those hooray-henry type students (hope I haven't offended anyone!)

Oh there are loads of good things about it charleypops - my sister lives there and has done for years and loves it (she's single without children so maybe it was just me). And there are some lovely mumsnetters there too. I think I might have got on better had I had children when I was there, it really does make it easier to meet people imo - you've got ante natal groups, post natal groups, NCT, mother and baby groups, playgroups, mumsnet, netmums, all sorts! It is very beautiful, has a literature and other festivals, great shopping (although I've never been mad on shopping so could never see the deal tbh!), lovely parks, wonderful historical buildings, close ish to the M4 and lovely countryside. Sorry, I shouldn't have just mentioned the bad points! You should visit, see what you think.

Thanks WWW! YOu've given me plenty of food for thought there. I'll have to arrange a couple of days' visit. Maybe a little spa break

Hey Charleypops, don't worry - I lost my first to the welsh. So if I lose my second to Bath so be it, I can always start a third

Seriously its been great getting some feedback and ideas but until we sell this flat, visit some of these places it is all conjecture . But as soon as we get our walking boots on I will be back for more advice.

Oops! Sorry Kaz

We haven't sold yet either - market's gone really flat round here. Good luck!

Where are you in Surrey ? Know it well as brought up in Guildford.

Weybridge - I go to guildford a lot and will be having my baby there. Guildford's a great town - did you like it? What about moving back there?

Chichester?

Not sure about house prices, but we live in Godalming area - really nice, but a little pricey. If you are happy with living closer to the coast, this might be the place for you. Went their shopping last week and was blown away by the place. Like Guildford, but on the flat. With a slight feel of Winchester or Salisbury.

That said, dont know what its like to actually live there. Anyone else got any views on Chichester?

I studied in Chichester many years ago. It seemed very much a retirement place - lots of old people, and very little for young people to do. I understand that the church has a lot of influence in the city and this is the reason why Chi has no nightclub or cinema. On the other hand it has a great theatre, beautiful countryside, is close to the sea and if you want nightlife or something a bit more cosmopolitan, then Brighton is a short hop away.

Surrey - too close to parents
Chichester - beautiful and a lovely feel, but we are looking for somewhere with a bit more life.

So far the three that have interested us have been:

Bournemouth / poole
Milton Keynes
Cardiff - Judge Flounce even offered to show us down, looks like thats out of the question now

Kaz - I don't know what will happen, yes surely JF is out of the equation now with showing you/me around Cardiff, but there are other people who have offered to show me around so if you posted a thread I'm sure you'd get offers too. I've not been put off Cardiff! Hope you haven't too!

kaz33/ i'm in Bournemouth so could answer any questions about the area etc though i'm not quite so clued up on schools but have an idea. could show you around too if you like

Kaz, I'm from Poole so I could probably find out about schools etc for you if you like. My mum's a teacher in a bournemouth primary so can find out about there too. 2 very good 2ndry schools in poole and several primary (well first and middle schools as many are here). Ex SIL is an estate agent - can ask her to send you details if you want.

Kaz, have you considered Bristol? I can't remember if you have and discounted it. It's a bit nearer London than Cardiff, there's lots going on, easily get a house for what you're paying, countryside nearby, has an airport and decent schools on the outskirts if we're talkign secondary.

Gosh thanks ladies, I will return and ask for more info soon - but really need to get this damn flat sold first. We have just spent an extended christmas break further spending money doing the place up, pretending to be our own house doctor. Decorators in next week and then back on the market in its new spanky new form..

Bristol - We have considered it and will probably combine a look with our cardiff trip, but DP discounted it for some arbitary reason. Doesn't mean that we won't look.