Where would you live if you were me?

[GingerBeer1234]

Does anyone have any ideas? I'm in my early forties, a single parent with a 2.5 year old DD and I'm looking to move house - the main requirements being an excellent state primary school and reasonable house prices, am looking at around the £250k mark for a 2 bed house and garden, somewhere either in the south east or south west (but not as far as Devon or Cornwall). I work mainly from home so work commute etc isn't too much of an issue.

I currently live in Brighton which is lovely, sadly it's too pricey now, but I'd really like to still live somewhere that's a bit interesting, with different stuff going on. Not really keen on a tiny village as I'd have to drive everywhere. Doesn't have to be particularly alternative either, but I like tolerant guardian reading types, a decent cinema, somewhere I'm not going to feel like an outcast as an older single mum, hopefully you get the picture!

If anyone's got any suggestions, I'd love to hear them.

I'd stay in Brighton if I were you

Royal Wootton Bassett. Great community, great schools, loads of children's clubs and stuff for adults. Close to London, Bath, Bristol and you'd get much more for £250k than the type of house you described.

Ha, thanks Pesto, I'd love to but simply can't afford it:( Prices are crazy here, but the schools are also pretty rubbish. Thanks for that too tywysogesgymraeg, I'll check it out now.

Ooohhh have a look at Box, Wiltshire.

Maybe Cheltenham & surrounding.

Box a little ish village but very near Bath and there is so much doing on there, a real buzz about it :)

Gosh, thanks everyone, I'm touched that people are actually replying, it's cheering me up! Funny, I did think about Box, I know that area a little and it's lovely, I think the primary schools are good too. And that house looks gorgeous in Whitstable, I don't know Kent at all but could be worth a look to check it out. Not sure about Caterham but you're right, I might be kidding myself by thinking about a move somewhere west and further away. Most of my friends are in London and Sussex so a big move west could be a bit isolating. Although I s'pose I'm hoping it will be a new chapter and that I'll make more friends through school etc.

We're RAF and move all the time, and used to being new. athe people in Box were very welcoming and they have a very good community spirit. I also live the higgldey-piggledyness of it ;)

If I was u I would go for Lewes, East Sussex. Fantastic historic town, lots to do and see. Great community spirit . Great primary and secondary school. I grew up there. Would love to move back. We moved out so we could afford a large 4 bed detached. Now in Hailsham east sussex250 would get u a 4 bed detached here. I would love to move back but too pricey for me. U can get a 2 bed with garden in lewes

Hi mummaemma thanks for reply, yes i'd love to live in lewes it's probably my dream sort of place but it's also really really expensive, I think it's shot up in the past few years. £250k doesn't get you a lot and it's right at the top of my budget so would prefer to spend less if poss:(

They're not all bad GingerBeer, our local primary was outstanding and DD1's just managed 5A*s, 5A's & a B, all at local state High School here. Plus the Sixth Form provision is highly recommended too.

Stay!

What about Eastbourne. Meads area and old town, motcome, upperton especially. Like Brighton but cheaper.

Could I ask what the schools are like in Box, Mionium? And mummaemma, do you know if the schools are any good in Eastbourne? I know there's good private schools....

Bridport.

Yes, Bridport. Gorgeous coast, great schools, thriving community & reasonable(isn) prices.
Long way to get anywhere though.

Frome in somerset is nice and has a fast train to London now. Lovely houses, market town, lovely shops and a nice buzz.

Inland Dorset is good value for money ! And you can easily visit the beautiful coasts in half an hour or so ! :-)

Ooh, yes, Frome, now there's an idea, I keep hearing great things about it. Had a quick look on Rightmove just now and you seem to get a lot for your money, at least compared to where I am now anyway. What's the catch? Are the schools any good?

The school was from what I know very good and looked very nice good facilities looking from outside IYSWIM. Good links to the community, one downside is the front of it is on the A4 so most collect from the rear of the school and walk over Box park which is lovely :) everyone's in wellies in winter though, but for me that's all part of the appeal.

Salisbury - or somewhere else in Wiltshire?

Dorchester?

Portsmouth?

NOT Portsmouth (sorry, Portsmouth!)

The schools are no good in Frome, that's the catch!

I'd recommend Bath, great schools, just what you're after in terms of vibe and I'm sure you could get somewhere decent for £250k as you just need two bedrooms.

Actually or Wells in Somerset, lovely, great schools, budget fine. It's a v small city though, maybe too small for you? Bath probably the better option for you

I can't help op but just wanted to say good luck and it sounD's very exciting! I hope you find somewhere great!

I am leaving Brighton for 15 miles away. Can't bloody wait!