Where to move In the UK?

[Einnie]

We just moved from Italy to the UK. We currently live in Rotherham, but due to my husband's work we didn't have much choice. We have a 5yo daughter and she goes to a pretty good school but we're not happy with this town. We will be able to move in a year and a half and are looking to buy a house. We're open to all of England but are looking for areas with a good community and nice cafes and good schools. Whatever it is, it needs to be within 20 minutes from a hospital (my husband is a doctor), easy access to shops so that you don't need a car for everything (I can't drive) and not extremely expensive.

So far on my list is... Dore next to Sheffield.

We do hope for somewhere nice south from here. We want a few places to check out and then go spend time there. Your suggestions are more than welcome!

I think you need to narrow it down a bit. First thing would be what sort of hospital you husband needs work at, i.e. big one with specialist departments, or any community sized one? Do you like to be near big cities, away from it all, by the sea?

I would also add that I wouldn't judge the north in general by your experience of Rotherham.

My husband is a psychiatrist for the elderly and apparently there is such shortage that he can work anywhere.

We don’t mind a big city or a small one. Any type of nature is nice, whether seaside or other. Wouldn’t want to live away from everything.

And you’re right, Rotherham is only an example for Rotherham and it would be easier for us to stay on in the north because this is the area we’ve come to know. However, we have a unique opportunity to live wherever we please, so I’m trying to find out where to look.

Just England or would you consider Scotland too? If yes, I'd look around Glasgow.

Where in Glasgow in particular do you recommend? We plan to make a list of places trying to pinpoint the areas where we’d be searching for a house and then go visit these places and get the feel of them.

I’d recommend Newcastle, especially the coastal towns - Tynemouth (though it’s v expensive now), the surrounding areas of Cullercoats, Whitley Bay, Monkseaton and North Shields are fantastic.
Beautiful beaches, lots to do, great cafes, art galleries, theatres, parks, easy to get into the countryside. Good schools.
There’s a Metro train into the City centre, very easy to get around without a car.
Some major hospitals in the city centre for your DH work.

Would you consider North East coast? Somewhere like Whitley Bay? Easy access into Newcastle but also nice coastline and good schools. Commutable to North Tyneside hospital and Northumbria, and RVI though would take slightly longer than 20 mins probably

X post @tigerbear!

@Einnie what’s your budget for a house?

What would your budget be? How many bedrooms etc? This would help to narrow down your choices. South and SE is more expensive than SW, North, Wales, Scotland in most cases.

Cambridge.

Or one of the towns just outside.

What is your budget? Do you need a detached home?

@tigerbear Our budget is 400k (that can be stretched by another 50k) and we need 3 bedrooms.

Newcastle sounds fantastic! I’ll start researching...

What do you like /dislike about where you are? If he needs to be within 20 minutes of a main city hospital then it would be probably be an urban location as traffic could be an issue, which could be more expensive.

@Einnie I would recommend the West end or Southside of Glasgow. West End is more expensive but has a lovely village-y feel in a large cosmopolitan city.

Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Manchester have big hosps and airports.Probably not top of the list but it's annoying having to leave first thing for a flight in case there is a delay on mway/ railway.
I think London/the SE is too crowded.

@LIZS There is absolutely nothing here. All the shops in the city centre are closed and the buses are always late so it’s really hard for me to get places when I don’t drive.

Our immediate neighbours are lovely, and I’ve been able to connect with a group of English mums at school. But there’s a fractured community here. I had an uncomfortable incident when some people found out that I’m Jewish that really defined my feelings about this area.

@Theworldisfullofgs Cambridge Itself seems very expensive. What are some nice surrounding towns?

Parts of Derbyshire are really nice, take a look at Belper or anywhere on the north side of the city. We have friends there and if I could move there I would, affordable property, good public transport, good schools and nice community feel.

@beautifulxdisasters
I know I’m biased as I’m from there, but it really is an amazing place to live.

OP, I’m very jealous - I sadly no longer live there, and wish I could go back, but circumstances prevent me from doing so.

You could get a lot for £400k: Eg
Grosvenor Drive, Whitley Bay
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-85735025.html

Lindisfarne Terrace, North Shields
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-89508458.html

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-71421391.html

You would get a beautiful house in North East for £400k - it's such a lovely part of the country and the RVI and Freeman are world class hospitals. Definitely recommend Tynemouth or Monkseaton

What about Bristol?

Multicultural, voted Sunday Times place to live in 2017 several hospitals, decent public transport, especially if you live as centrally as possible.

This is within your budget, but I only had a quick look, I expect there are better houses.

Schools can be an issue in Bristol though so you’d need to consider that.

This is nicer.