is there a town equivalent to Cilfton Village in Bristol but without the rest of Bristol attached?!

[pinkredandpurple]

I love Clifton village: lots of green spaces around, a view over the river, warm atmosphere, period architecture, lots of delis, cafes and small shops. BUT the connection to main Bristol station not great, having to take connecting train or PITA buses, so travelling to London or anywhere is a bother and adds a lot to the trip what with connections etc.
I wish there was a similar place, well ok, minus the views maybe, without the rough part of Bristol attached and much more compact with easy access to a rail station, or with a quick bus to a station with many connections.
It has to be ideally SW or SE and not too far from London (i.e. not as far as the coastal towns). But if it's somewhere towards Derbyshire it's still doable. I don't like Norfolk, sorry, too flat a landscape.
Property prices not too crazy, sort of like Bristol prices would be ok.That is, you can get a good large 2/3 bed flat (or house!) for under 300K. But if lower, than even better!
It doesn't have to have lots of theatres/shops /chains/big megastores on the doorstep. But must have a good few cafes, I've been a Londoner so far!
I would like a simpler, more compact life, but not ready for rural/village, I don't like driving and not having people around.
Is this a silly utopia?
Any ideas, please?

Windsor, Maidenhead

I have recently moved from London (Wandsworth) to Bristol (Bishopston). We were renting in Clifton/Redland and when I was a student here I only EVER used to hang out around there.

Bishopston has been a revalation to me. Yes, I now have a child which makes it more appealing. But it's like a much cooler Clapham/Wandsworth ime - amazing selection of indie shops and coffee places without the ponce and mark-up. Even friends who have lived in Clifton for years are considering moving over here as they simply hadn't ever been over this way and think Gloucester Rd, St Andrews park etc are brill.

I think that sometimes you live in your own 'bubble' and don't get round to exploring other parts of a city you live in. I did it in London and was determined not to write off areas of Bristol without giving them a chance.

I now go to Clifton/The Downs for a day out. But personally I find it a little sterile and souless as a place to live. I much prefer the slightly hippy edge over here...and seeing the smart shops that are cropping up, it's just going to get better I think.

Biased, but also protective as I don't think you should write off the rest of Bristol. I rarely go to city centre or Cribbs because I don't need/want to. Doesn't make the rest of Bristol dire.

5 bedrooms for 245K! and what a nice house too, Clary ! I love period houses, plus this one is decorated with traditional flair - I'd live in that tomorrow if l liked the location! still questions over Derby, never been there tbh - how does it compare to Sheffiekd (the south side) where i have been but decided it wasn't for me, too hilly and spread out and far from London.
RCheshire, I'd definitely compromise on shops being open late and number of cultural activities. As far as there is large town neraby (say 20' by train) with these things available AND it's safe to walk late-ish when you get off the train from somewhere (not daily of course). Really London is THE cultural hub and i will be doing a course there weekly from Sept so I wouldn't need lots of culture on doorstep. I do want a historic town or at least proximity to one.

I must say I'm impressed with Salisbury prices on rightmove! not as great value as Derby (still mooning over the house above!) but it's def cheper than Bristol. I think Sals may suit me but I will have to go and see - going there on Monday and will report. Leamingtom also will have a look but the choice of properties is smaller than in Salisbury atm.

Bike, yes but i come back late sometimes and would really need a taxi everytime from there. I'd prefer to always walk to the station or a short bus ride. Buses are infrequent there, so sorry no Ciren..

LittleMilla, Bishopston is not central Bristol but really a suburb (bar the actual Gloucester rd which isn't suburban at all) - but I was talking about most of Bristol and the Centre specifically (also South Bristol to me is boring in the sense that you could be anywhere), and getting to the main station. Gloucester rd is fun but it's a 20 walk from Clifton - I just find St.Andrew's is a nice but minute park to compare with the Downs and the Great Ashton Court green space across the bridge from Clifton. Also Bishopston is very crowded, and Gloucester rd is fun but I wouldn't want it as my only Hgh st as I need more variety (i.e. not mainly hippyish shops - they have lots of Charitiy shops there whic are good but not that much else - though I love the big books charity shop). But yes, i didn't mean specifically mean that area (and also Montpellier is nice) but the centre etc - and the connection to London taking more than 2hrs with the link.
If I didn't want to go to london often I'd probably settle for Bristol (clifton/redland still) so if you don't i can see that you are happy there, though I don't think the prices are much lower in bishopston (property).

Oxford is really over budget - see what you can get in Derby or Salisbury for the price of a boring new build 2-bed flat in oxford! great for cultural stuff though.
Seven Dials - not sure i want to be in Brighton tbh - or anywhere right on the coast..also I think it's v.expensive.

It sounds like you've already written off Bristol, which is fair enough. The gloucester rd is so much more than hippy shops - such a Cliftonite's assumption! And one that many ofmy friends have so I am not digging.

Three independent green grocers, fish monger, two butchers (and organic!), two bakers, trendy homes/gifts shops, carpet shops, wooden-burning stoves shop, shop specifcally for victorian tiles (my new saddo place to hang out ), I could go on...

My husband commutes to London twice a week and uses parkway. He cycles and it takes 18 mins, but there's direct buses and it's 10-15 mins in a car. Journey is shorter than TM too - 1.5 hours.

I'll leave you explore other places...

Leamington and Warwick I would be hard pushed to choose, one is medieval and the other regency so different charicter.

If your not in to strip clubs then there are two rugby clubs and a cricket club along with a handful of gyms.

Both are big enough towns to lose yourself but both small enough to make friends and retain them.

I like the fact that I can cycle in most directions for less than 30 minutes and be in the countryside and have a good 30 mile cycle without worrying about main roads and sticking to the back lanes - the advantage is that the M40 takes most of the traffic out of the county roads.

I enjoy being able to get on a train to Birmingham or Solihull and shopping if I want or going to the NEC for a show or a theater trip. there is a choice of three large multi cinema's with in 10 miles and a good network of roads to get anywhere without much hassle.

I like the choice of schools and activities and clubs for teenagers and smaller children.

ivykaty44 I'm not even looking in the midlands and you've almost got me moving there!

Shaftesbury is nice. Not been for years but I seem to remember it's pretty and quirky. Too small town for you?

LittleMilla - I must look at Victorian tile shop, obsessed with those too - what's it called?
I know about parkways but I don't cycle or drive atm so the bus is 40 min, worse han taling a little train to TM which is 20' plus the wait for the bus/or gap between bus/train. I have been to Gloucester rd, I think to me it's mainly lack of cafes that put me off (grotty dark Costa and yes, one nice bakery +cafe but very busy being the one - but a lot more choice in clifton and by the Clifton Down station too) - I stay with a friend in Bristol as i'm still considering it and will be renting there from Sept short term until i find a place to buy with shorter commute. I just want easier life, less tavel, less transport, mainly walks and train everywhere. I don't want to spend on a car and am a rubbish driver. Also after Clapham/Wands i can see that you don't find Gloucester rd too crowded (to be fair you aer younger! don't know hat it is about age but you just strat wanting more space around you!). But as i sau, it's by no means a bad area, especially for people in their 20s-early 30s, just not everyone's preference.

'than taking a little train'

Saffron Walden
Thaxted
Dorchester.

I mean less daily travel, I do like to travel by train around the country once a week, plus london once a week. But i also need a good large park/green spaces where i could walk to any day.

Forgot to ask LittleMilla - did you manage to find a good size property in Bishopston? how does it compare with what you can get in wandsworth (not hte worst parts)?
Ormiria, i don't know Shaftesbury, you'd need to describe.
ivy - it does sound good, especially trips to the country/easy cycling! And what you said about friends but not being too small. then where do you find nicer properties? I like high ceilings, Victorian/Edwardian, like that Derby house or a large converted flat. Leamington is smaller i assume - not a huge choice on rightmove. Will definitely go and look, they are up there on the list with Salisbury.

How about Market Harborough?

About an hour into St Pancras, lots of lovely independent shops, restaurants etc and near some really nice countryside.

Quite reasonable for property, this 3 bed house for example, as well.

Good luck with your move.

I've only scanned thread but I don't think anyone has mentioned Lewes?

Nice little house here.

On the South Downs, close to Brighton but less than an hour in to London on the train. Lots of nice cafes and independent shops. I have a friend who moved there from Islington and she adores it.

Stroud? Everyone loves Stroud.

ivy, and what is Stratford like, and how far from these towns? I don't mean to live in but for more choices of things to do.

like this? This house is actually walking distance 10 minutes dilly dally to the station, 15 minutes to town walking across the park

Ooh another nice house! what is it with Derbs and Leics - great prices for beautiful houses! thank you OBface, it's time to move on from the flats, the reaction to nice houses says it all! what are the people like in MH?

SoA is more expensive to live and buy a house due to the tourist trade - Warwick doesn't suffer this problem. SoA is a pretty town and has trains - but not a main line I don't think

or this?

ivy, yes i saw this one last night on rightmove, not so good on ceiling height but not bad. Is the park nice - or any other parks within walking distance? I'm not in a huge rush so hopefully more will come to the market in Sept. will be renting for a few months.

as i say i wasn't lookingto live in Stratford (too touristy) but wondered whether it's somewhere nearby with more things to see/do/shops.