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Original poster

Living in the South West vs South-East

38 replies

Snowcookie · 23/07/2018 10:55

Hi, I accidentally posted in Chat but this is where it's supposed to go. I'm making plans for a likely move over the next few years and was wondering if you had the choice between living in the South West of England vs the South East, which you would choose and where you would live. I'd be moving from Scotland and working from home. Budget would be around 550-600,000. Looking for sububrban-semi rural. I have no children at present so that isn't a factor.

I appreciate that they're both huge, diverse areas and I'm currently leaning towards the South-West,but I'd appreciate any opinions, and factors that I haven't taken into account when choosing.

Thank you in advance.

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Lucisky · 23/07/2018 11:08

I have lived half my life in the south east and half in the south west/West. I much prefer the SW. You will get more property for your money and it is less crowded. Where abouts in each area have you been looking at?

mrsnec · 23/07/2018 11:21

Hi there, I am originally from Surrey, my family live in Devon and Dorset and my DH's family are from Wiltshire but he grew up in Somerset. We now live abroad but often discuss where we'd live if we returned to the uk. We've lived in the Midlands before and he worked all over the north and Scotland and we both say we'd live south.

Surrey is lovely. When I grew up I loved being so close to London and within easy reach of the coast at weekends. But the house prices are silly and the traffic drives us mad when we go. People have a bit of a poncey attitude. I couldn't live there again.

I don't like Dorset and can't put my finger on why.

If you go a long way down in the south west it feels very remote. Crap transport links, very expensive regional flights for holidays and a long way from London.

Dh thinks M4 corridor area is the best bet for us if we were to return to the uk and I think I'd be ok with that.

If you do want south east though maybe further east. Kent or Sussex. I looked at a college in the Medway district in my youth and liked it. Have friends who are happy there now and I know it's cheaper than Surrey but the same distance from London.

jamoncrumpets · 23/07/2018 11:22

SE is better connected, road and rail wise. SW is lovely but out on a limb.

Somertime · 23/07/2018 11:26

I agree with Lucisky. I've lived in the SE & SW but the SW gives such a better quality of life. Bath and Bristol are great cities with lots going on but there is wonderful rural life just on the doorstep. Your budget will get you a lovely property in a nice area and if you did ever have kids there are a plethora of great schools.

Original poster
Snowcookie · 23/07/2018 11:30

Hi Lucisky. I've been looking at East and South Devon, and also Sussex. I'm open to other areas though.

I've been leaning towards the South West for that reason, though appreciate that I'm also looking in fairly expensive areas, but I fell in love with South Devon. I'm trying to think with my head and not my heart though, so open to other areas, and the accessibility of the South East is a factor in its favour.

The budget could be stretched a little, but as there's considerable moving costs involved, I'm trying to be conservative for now.

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AJPTaylor · 23/07/2018 11:38

we moved to east sussex last year. it really is lovely. busy at this time of year but no problem if you dint need to commute.
an hour and 20 on the train to charing x, 45 mins to the chunnel. 15 mins to the seaside. loads of stuff on.

MissCherryCakeyBun · 23/07/2018 11:43

We are currently moving from Hertfordshire to Somerset...... we have a 3 bed house for the price of a garage in the Home Counties. Could you rent for a while and see what you like? Also what are you doing work wise? We have found that fast broadband is harder to find more rural areas ditto virgin media and smart meters lol

pennycarbonara · 23/07/2018 11:49

The people in Wiltshire have always seemed absolutely lovely when I visited, and it's a beautiful area. It's also a fairly short journey to London by train.

We have found that fast broadband is harder to find more rural areas ditto virgin media

Can equally happen in rural parts of the SE. You can be less than 50 miles from London as the crow flies, with max internet speed under 2mbps.

Lucisky · 23/07/2018 12:02

OP, Sussex is lovely, but so is Devon! I suppose it is what you think you may want out of life. Is being close to London important to you? There is plenty of culture in the SW, but you may have to travel a bit further for it.
Would renting for a bit be an option? When I moved here I bought a place and didn't know the area at all. I realised within a few months I could have got somewhere better for less money if only I had spent more time looking around. I did love my little house (have moved since) but I was in such a rush, for no particular reason. Of course, this can also help you discount areas which, on paper, look attractive, but may turn out not to be so. A little local knowledge is a valuable thing.

Original poster
Snowcookie · 23/07/2018 12:33

Thank you all for the advice and opinions so far. You've all been very helpful.

I'll look into renting first. I hadn't considered it but in a number of respects it might make sense, though of course there are cons too, but it would allow me more time to scout out the 'perfect' place.

I have my own small business so reasonable broadband is certainly important, though it doesn't have to be ultra fast. I don't have especially good broadband where I am now. It's ok but little more.

The area around Bath has been under consideration too because I adore Bath. I'll have to try to narrow it down though. I haven't visited Bristol so know little about it but will certainly look into it too, as being relatively near a reasonably sized town/city would be something I'd look for.

Being near to London would be a bonus, I adore museums and going to the theatre. Realistically though I'd probably only go once a month or thereabouts, so it isn't essential, but it would be advantageous.

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kikashi · 23/07/2018 12:44

I would echo people saying rent for a bit - get to know the area and what you really want. Rural properties can often taken longer to resell than city ones if you make a bad purchase (never mind the stamp duty and other costs). The winter can feel a bit isolated some places especially if there are a lot of second homes in your village/town. Although you might want isolation and quiet!

Bristol and Bath as others have said are great. I always like to be near train links and although the South hams are gorgeous the drive to Exeter to get a train to London for meetings became too onerous. If it is too rural you'll spend most of your time in the car and yes wifi can be a problem.

We live in Sussex now - near the sea and the Downs with all the culture etc that a city can offer and train links to London. I know you work from home now - but things might change. I work from home mostly but clients often want London meetings It depends what lifestyle you want to live. Living near to a city by the sea and countryside has worked really well for our teens but I prefer the quiet rural life.

mrsnec · 23/07/2018 13:45

My parents retired from Surrey/ Sussex border to South Hams. It's absolutely beautiful there but does feel a bit remote and they spend half of their lives driving.

When they lived in Surrey DSF used to commute from Godalming to central London.

They lived in a village about 8 miles from Guildford but I preferred the ones further down the A281 towards Horsham.

Billingshurst was nice from what I remember. Direct train to Victoria, Not far from Gatwick airport and close to Brighton too.

I like Hampshire as well and I'd look at Portsmouth and Southampton and maybe a little bit North of those areas too. Maybe down to the New Forest. If you want suburbs maybe look somewhere like Fleet or Farnborough.

Devilishpyjamas · 23/07/2018 13:54

I’ve lived in SE & SW (London, Kent and Devon - south)

Devon 100x over.

But it depends what you like. I like surfing, moor walking & taking the dog to the beach. After leaving London I didn’t set foot in the place for about a decade as I didm’t miss it at all. Have friends who are the complete opposite to me.

Devilishpyjamas · 23/07/2018 13:55

Ps I run my own business and internet has not been a problem for me - but can be in some areas.

magimedi · 23/07/2018 15:17

I moved from Devon to East Sussex & have never regretted it. So much handier for London, airports & channel here.

And the weather is SO much better. Why is Devon so beautiful & lush & green? Because it rains a hell of a lot.

Original poster
Snowcookie · 25/07/2018 16:05

Thank you all for the advice. It's been so helpful and I really appreciate it. You've given me a lot to think about.

I love gentle country and coastal walks(I'm no hiker), stately homes, independent shops, anything animal related, museums, nice cafes and bookstores. So long as I can fulfil a few of those criteria I'll be content.
As mentioned I do love theatre but realistically my time and finances will probably only allow me to go to London every 1-2 months. That said Sussex is still very appealing and there are certain factors that others have mentioned that make it the better option in some respects.

I like lush and green, so long as the weather is better than here, at least a little hotter and sunnier, I don't mind rain too much.

I'm going to concentrate on Devon and Sussex now for research purposes, though I'm certainly open to other areas. Thank you to all who have posted so far for your advice. I'm so grateful.

OP posts:
hammeringinmyhead · 25/07/2018 17:34

I live in Wiltshire, about 8 miles from Bath on the Somerset border. I don't think I'd want to live much further south than Frome though as it's suddenly very isolated with no transport links. Where we are is only half an hour from Bristol on the train, 15 minutes from Bath, and has a direct train to Waterloo if needed. Plus you can get a 4 bed house for under £240k. If you tip just over into Wiltshire then your money will go a long way!

Redhound · 25/07/2018 19:57

I moved to East Devon 5 years ago now and am very happy here. It has all the things you require and more. Road and rail links not bad, I can get to London by train in c3.5 hours I think from my nearest town (never bothered to try though!)
The climate here isn't bad at all as its in the rain shadow.
SE is too crowded now, so a better quality of life in the SW imho.
Please PM me if you like.

Original poster
Snowcookie · 27/07/2018 22:13

Wow. That's an incredible price, Hammeringinmyhead. I'll certainly be checking out Wiltshire too. Devon and Sussex are still my top picks, but paying out much less money for similar is also very tempting.

OP posts:
Original poster
Snowcookie · 27/07/2018 22:33

Thank you so much, Redhound. I might take you up on that very kind offer soon and ask you a few questions.

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mrsnec · 28/07/2018 06:23

Just some tips re devon. My parents love where they live. All the towns have their own character and attractions. My parents live right in the centre. One of their favourite things is that they're so close to an old fashioned cinema they could go home for a cuppa in the interval if they wanted to! They have a great market and leisure centre in their town too but it doesn't have a station and is 20 miles from the nearest big supermarket and those are the negatives for them. So they looked at Salcombe and Dartmouth but they have Surrey problems and would consider Totnes if they decided to move.

another20 · 28/07/2018 09:43

Have you thought about Suffolk - MUCH drier in the east of UK rather than west. V rural, lovely villages with good foodie scene and independent shops, great beaches and a rich local cultural life and not too far from London....

Blagora · 28/07/2018 09:46

The Dorset Somerset border is rural with great train links to London.

I'm always shocked at the amount of litter when I go to Surrey and the South East so would avoid it!

Cornishclio · 28/07/2018 09:47

I was born in Surrey and then we moved to Cornwall although really we are on the border between Devon and Cornwall. I prefer the South West 100%. Much quieter, more peaceful, the people are nicer, living standards are better as the roads are less busy and houses cheaper. Less crime, better schools and so much open space compared to Surrey unless of course you are living in the Surrey Hills which are really expensive.

I still really like London but to visit and my mum lives in Surrey so we visit lots but I would not like to live there now.

CriticalCondition · 28/07/2018 09:57

Have you considered Chichester in West Sussex? Coast on one side, glorious walking in the South Downs on the other, excellent theatre (stuff often transfers to London), heaps of culture, foodie scene, London is an hour and a half on the train....