If you could live anywhere ...

[Cantaffordthetherapy]

If you could live anywhere in the UK, where would you choose? Lockdown has highlighted what I've been banging on about to my husband for years - he could work from home more which would mean we're not tied to London (I can work anywhere more or less). We'd need decent broadband so probably rules out the wilds of Scotland. And would need to be able to access London probably once a week or so. I love being near the sea but also love Yorkshire. I'm from the north, husband from wales and have family everywhere in between. Where would you start your search?

I think I’m london through and through- I wouldn’t leave. I would love a holiday home in Cornwall though- oh how I’d be hated (second home dweller).

If I didn’t have friend and family ties, I’d love to live in or near Robin Hood’s Bay- it’s my favourite place. A bit like you, @onlyfoolsnmothers, I’m very tempted by a second home there (so many hours spent browsing on Rightmove!) but at the same time I know how bad they are for the community and couldn’t stand the hatred.

We left London for Liverpool and like the balance - a small but interesting, fun city, 20 mins drive from the beach, easy distance from the Lakes, Peaks and North Wales on all sides, and 2 hours to London on the train. If that's too far from London, I'd probably head Bristol way (if that's in budget - you'll obviously get a lot more for your money up North!)

Ooh Bristol is a thought. I don't know the city at all. I really like Falmouth and Cornwall in general but think it's probably a bit too far from my folks who are getting on a bit. But Bristol maybe a halfway compromise.

Personally, St Davids. We looked into it last year but decided not due to DS being so close to his DGM here.

Knightsbridge ,Marylebone Village or Richmond

second Bristol - esp if family is in Wales and North (direct train Bristol - York, I'm pretty sure). After London it's not too drastic a change.

windmill Richmond is ruined by plane noise, at least many parts nearer the station), but yes, all chic places.

CantAfford I was a bit blown away when I visiyed Bristol for the first time - Clifton village and the famous bridge, and the Uni Tower street - so beautiful. It's busy (and veyr hilly) though - depends whether you want peace and quiet ot more buzz, its nothing like Cornwall.

Bloomsbury in London. Or Fitzrovia.

Probably in the square in Kensington or another one in Chelsea...houses where I stayed with friends as a teenager. Apart from lovely houses, they were really convenient spots. Totally in my dreams of course..I haven't bothered looking how many million houses there are today.

If not London then the Gower

Forest of Dean area, I love the trees.

It really depends on your budget?
You can get a mansion in the Forest of Dean for the price of a two bed in a pretty crap area of bristol

speaks from experience

The nicer areas of Bristol are absolutely amazing but incredibly expensive 😭

If money were no object, I would look for a beautiful house on the North Wiltshire downs just outside a pleasant town, probably Warminster or Devizes, so close enough to Bristol and Bath, the M4, the Dorset coast and the Channel ferry ports.

However, we are lucky to be in east Cornwall, which has beautiful countryside on an estuary; it's just a long way from most of our friends and family. It would cut four hours off all our return journeys. It won't happen until DH retires though because he has created a business that needs to be based where it is.

The area around Stroud is beautiful.

North or West Wales. It’s where my heart lies.

Chelsea, but I’d need a helicopter too.

I’ve been searching up and down the country for2 years now. Scotland will be getting better broadband. I almost made an offer on a beautiful farm house on the Scottish Borders, but I’m glad it didn’t happen now. It’s just too far away from my grown up kids. So now I’m looking at Shropshire, Welsh borders, or any pretty village between Manchester and Bristol. I’ve lived in Towns and country, and I definitely prefer the quiet country with lovely walks. Shopping can be done on line