Where is cheep but nice to live...

[Petal40]

Hi.im in Bicester ,far to near Bicester village...tentatively thinking of moving the brood somewhere where house prices are much cheaper and with more going on than just designer shops,that even if I could fit in to the clothes ,I couldn't afford...sooo any ideas where in the uk is cheaper than here, and a nice place to raise a family....I'm sick of having a whopping great mortgage for a poky house.

So you're buying and not renting, jobs will transfer, but presumably that means near a city and not working from home? or not? and you need decent schools, access to green spaces and days out?

Hard to help without a ball park budget.

Sorry, see you've updated OP.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-41510169.html

Looks lovely.

Just in case you haven't worked it out, the remote Highlands of Scotland isn't great for shopping either :)

You'd need to be near Inverness as a minimum for that.

Darlington in the north east is lovely. Good schools, great transport links to Newcastle, Middlesbrough and Leeds. Surrounded by beautiful countryside. An hour from the Lake District or half an hour from the seaside. My friend has a beautiful three bed semi with a garden which she got for £140k.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-54954977.html

Sorry mr lizard didn't see yr post ....I've not got that far yet...this is just at the could we should we do it stage...as in should we really uproot the Kurds from their schools and friends...and could we really move away from our friends....just because we want a bigger / cheaper house....just don't know

Not really keen on Middlesbrough or surround. Lived there for a while,not keen to go back

Kids not Kurds.....

Lots of magnums ,thanks yes lack of shops would be a problem....so many shops here at Bicester village..just not aimed at us locals

I used to live less than a mile away from BV. What a massive shithole! Live in the west mids now and much happier, much better quality of life and not too far away in case you ever feel the need to return to Bicester and get crushed to death by hoards of Chinese tourists or spend 6hrs stationary on the A41/34 ( not that I ever would)

Can buy a nice 3 bed here for £130k.

Sheffield has cheap nice areas and you can live further out for cheaper and be near countryside without being too far from the city. Very green, loads of parks. Most people I know are very happy here and think they have a good quality of life.

West of Scotland- Houston, Kilmalcolm, beith, bridge of weir, erskine? All have good schools, great access to city and lovely walking areas.

Wallasey in Wirral, close to Liverpool. You get a lot for your money. Close to beach, parks, shopping centre. Quick access to Liverpool city. Example below

Martins Lane, Wallasey, Merseyside, Wirral
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-39294651.html

Xmasbaby u hit the nail on the head...that's what we are missing..good quality of life.all money goes on the mortgage...Bicester just doesn't feel like home even though it's the longest I've ever lived anywhere

Middleclassmumsnetter.thanks gorge house.is Liverpool run down in parts? Like places to avoid?

We have lovely shops here. I can get my Irn Bru from either the Co op, or the Spar.

I understand that feeling. When we lived in Cheshire I just kept asking myself why are we paying such a ridiculous amount of money to live in such a crazy frantic place where it seems to rain for 10mths a year. We moved to the south coast, bought a larger house but crucially cheaper thus reducing our mortgage. There's something special about living by the sea especially if you don't live in a tourist resort.

Mini mover yes I love the sea.....did u find it hard starting again?

Lots of magnums That's class! Next name change that's what I am going for.

I miss a magnum.i went vegan for my New Years resolution ....my fave was the caramel running through the center and the thick milk chocolate that crunches as u bite.... Yeah I miss a Magnum

Not really. We'd moved a lot due to job situation and had already spent s few years in Edinburgh and a few in Surrey. When I first moved there I loved it but it sort of grinds you down if you're not a, how can I say this, natural Cheshire person. In the end I couldn't wait to leave although I do miss aspects of it and it was very family friendly with excellent schools. But too expensive, glam and fast for me iykwim.

YY to the quality of life thing. We sold for 750 and bought something bigger for 480. It's more relaxed and more acceptable to do school run in wellies and fleece. Back in Cheshire it was ok if your wellies were pristine gold hunter ones. Green B&Q jobbies didn't really cut the mustard!

Wow mini u made quite a saving...I like moving around.i get bored I'df I stay in one place to long...feels line we've been here forever..won't look at Cheshire then thanks for the tip of

www.propertypal.com/7-silverbirch-gardens-bangor/361645