Where is the best place in UK to raise children?

[northchesterforest]

If money wasn't an issue, where would you choose to raise children in the UK and why?

@northchesterforest i have no idea but I’d love to know… or even the work. Because the place we live scares me at the moment!

A market town with countryside on the doorstep: best of both worlds. Skipton?

Family, community, relatively safe (nowhere is definitely safe once they’re teens). I’d love to say countryside/seaside but my teens couldn’t care less about that. Public transport. Future education and job opportunities so they don’t move far away from me.

So no one place that is right for everyone.

I do get that many (most) people will think I'm bonkers but London. I think if you can afford house and garden next to a park it's really wonderful place. So much to do and it's quick and easy to get to the countryside and coast at weekends and holiday times.

I kind of agree with London. I'd love a place in London, if I could afford it.

We loved there for a few months because of DH's work and DD1 was about 2. There was so much to see and do. I might ruffle a few feathers by saying this...the people are fucking miserable though!

I'm from an area where people smile and say good morning as you walk past. In London if you smile or speak to someone they look at you like you've mooned them.

One of the nice suburbs of a university city. Somewhere like Liverpool or Leeds or Glasgow. Decent houses with big gardens, big green spaces with parks, lots of local children’s groups to make friends, but quick access to a City with a university for all the cultural quirks. Guess I’ve just described why suburbia exists!

Depends what you like though really. I liked filling my maternity leaves with play groups and socialising. I now like spending my days off doing things and seeing people. If that sounds like hell, you might say a remote cottage in outer Cornwall or Scotland!

I agree with this (albeit biased because I live here). We live very close to the tube and in walking distance of several amazing parks (as well as school!). There's so much on offer here including loads of free activities.

I was a single parent in a lovely little house in skipton. Had the canal view from my bedroom window, steam trains out the front. Great local park and leisure centre walkable. Beautiful walks along the canal straight into the dales, great pubs, farm shops, schools castle! It was a great place to live I also felt so safe. Voted as one of the happiest places to live and I agree.

I don’t think you can do better than London. I absolutely love it here.

I am not AT ALL against London for bringing up kids. It has many great things. But being quick and easy to get in and out of is not one of the things I would include!

Nice parts of Surrey on the London boarder…..best of all worlds

We moved up here to the North of Scotland (just out of Inverness) hoping we could have a family (18 years ago), which we have. Having lived in Cumbria, Hampshire, London, York and near Settle (Yorkshire Dales), I still think this was a great choice (for us anyway). Great schooling, healthcare/GP access, things to do (if you like the outdoors especially) and places to go.
Only downside is distance down the A9 to Edin/Glasgow - but would rather be up here.
Also found the Dales and York great (but I am from the latter...) but never had a family then.

Where I am. Cornwall, north coast. Beaches on doorstep, low crime, kind and involved community. I bloody love it.

If I had more money I'd just buy a bigger better house right here in the same town.

Biased but so far - Edinburgh. We moved from London with our 2 children and I can’t fault it. Apart from chilly at times. More bang for your buck in housing, so quick to the countryside when needed. Amazing festival in the summer. Etc

Isle of Man. Perfect for raising kids. Great community, yes we can have issues with the weather in the winter but the summers are amazing.

Our health service and schools ( I work in one) aren't perfect but compared to what you get across it's much better

It may sound a little daft but most places are as good as anywhere else as along they have safe and secure housing and a loving family. Anywhere has its own character and wonderful childhoods can be had in inner cities or remote rural areas.
That said, somewhere they won’t want to leave when they reach their teens. Bus routes and a town.
Given all the choices I’d pick London suburbs.

I grew up in zone 2 London suburbs (W4) and the area is still lovely and leafy. Far more exclusive and expensive than when I lived there of course but tube on the doorstep, parks all around and a short(ish) drive out was countryside.

Free, world class museums, world class theatre and all the sights a short distance away. Much of London is a great place for children to grow up.

Would go back if I could afford the £2-3million price tag for a decent sized house.

We live in a fairly central bit of London and it's been brilliant for my dcs. We are 5 mins walk to a tube station and 10 mins walk to a big royal park, school is 5 mins walk and we have brilliant senior school options within 30 mins walk/bus. We work within walking distance so we have plenty of time with dcs after a working day and never have to stress about strikes or rail cancellations. We are out every weekend as a family and make the most of museums, theatre shows, concerts and art exhibitions. DCs have been familiar with world class venues like Royal Opera House, Royal Albert Hall, Southbank Centre and Barbican since they were tiny - they all do great shows for under-5s. Loads of opportunities for outreach programmes for when dcs get older, if they want to get seriously involved in arts or science etc. DCs do great toddler classes every day and high quality extracurriculars every day after school - a huge range is within easy reach as you can travel so easily. Lots of good normal amenities like libraries, children's centres, GP surgeries, dentists and hospitals. Short bus or tube ride to mainline stations to get to the beach or countryside or day trips (we never drive and don't own a car). Eurostar and Heathrow/Gatwick a simple tube or bus ride for travel abroad.

we are in Jersey. Best place ever to raise DC

Suffolk coast (but shhh don't tell anyone). Beautiful, safe, strong sense of community. 1hr10 train if you go into Ipswich to get to London. Maybe not so great as they get older but it depends on what they want out of life.

Anywhere but London, I grew up there, fine for a weekend doing tourist stuff but it's a nightmare living there, traffic, gangs, and not to mention the cost of living.

Much prefer a good suburb of a medium/small city or a town near a city with good transport links. Where I live is the latter and the kids have tons of freedom, with the beach , countryside etc but big city 30 mins away - plus it's great for all ages with everyone getting along

I'm not sharing! I have an excellent university city 10 miles away, the beach 8 mins away (by foot) countryside 17 miles away, all easily accessible by excellent transport links and good schools. But I'd like a bit more 🌞

In a loving well adjusted home.

All the rest will sort itself out then.

London is quite big. There's some amazing places to live there, obvs not where you lived tho