Which of these places should we move to?

[babymakesfive]

We're moving back to the UK after a number of years overseas, and as we have only ever lived in London we would love some advice on areas to consider for our return. We have a good budget (5k/month) for a rental.
Criteria:

• Safe, picturesque large town or small city with beautiful architecture and lots going on
• Not TOO far from London for an occasional visit/once a week commute (to Bank)
• Great state schools (my DCs would be going into years 2 and 5, I know we've left it late but a few schools we've emailed in the areas below do surprisingly have spaces)
• Access to nature nearby. We are leaving a beautiful beach city so having a river/some water nearby is a big bonus
• A thriving high street, not too rural but also not plagued with big city problems (DC have had a really stressful year for various reasons, we would like them to be somewhere picturesque and safe now).
• Friendly locals and welcoming community. A friend of mine moved to SouthFarnham and she said she felt very excluded (I realise this is just one person's experience but I know some places are less 'open' to newcomers than others!
• Not too suburban! We are drawn to places with a cosmopolitan flair : )

The shortlist so far is:

Winchester
Canterbury
Cambridge
St. Albans
Henley-on-Thames
Tunbridge Wells

Bath
Possibly Barnes/Hampton/East Molesey, although these are closer to London than we would like.

Sorry for the epic post, and thank you so much in advance for your input!

Not Canterbury

Chichester is lovely, as is Emsworth. Titchfield is beautiful too, but it is about 4 miles from the train station and may be a little small for your taste.

The only place I know well from your list is Winchester, and I think it hits all of your criteria. It's beautiful and surrounded by nice country side, easy to get to London (55 minutes to Waterloo then tube to Bank), nice high street, not too suburban. I'm not sure how welcoming it is but the locals I know there are very friendly.

It is quite expensive though and the train to London is also very expensive (£75 return I think) so it's worth bearing that in mind when you decide.

Oxford?

Plenty to do and the Cotswolds on your doorstep. You can swim in the Thames and Windrush rivers in the summer

I would say Cambridge, but be careful about where due to the catchments for the good schools being small.

Based only on my own opinion:

• Canterbury I've never much liked, always had a bit of a weird vibe (although granted obviously many would disagree with me and as I can't give more explanation than that I can't defend my opinion)

• Bath is a long commute to bank

• St Albans isn't my kind of place

• Cambridge is lovely (it's where I live so I'm biased) Lovely town, vibrant culture, great commute into London, excellent schools in general (although as PP said small catchments) Family houses somewhat in short supply in the middle of town but better in the villages. Pre-Corona traffic was awful but I'm hoping lots of that was a14 related and that should now be sorted. Lots of countryside around and not long to Norfolk for the beach

Cambridge! It's great. I grew up in Tunbridge Wells and it's v pretty but Tory, horribly parochial and full of yummy flash types - Cambridge much more grounded and outward-looking. State schools are excellent and it's properly international.

Cambridge all the way! It’s fantastic

I’m not quite sure why Bath is on your list though

Barnes and Hampton are in London. They both have period architecture. I’d say that Barnes feels very London in an affluent inner suburb way with mostly terraced housing. You get the benefit of the river and things such as the wetland centre. One thing that might bother people are low flying planes into Heathrow. Hampton and Molesley don’t really have vibrant centres so might not be to your liking.

An option that might suit if you’re considering London too is Teddington or North Kingston. They’re both by the Thames and Kingston has a big bustling town centre with attractive architecture, nice shops and riverside restaurants. Teddington has a smaller high street but it’s just over the river from Kingston. In terms of green spaces, there are Richmond Park (North Kingston) or Bushy Park (Teddington). Both are huge royal parks covering thousands of acres between them. Both areas are safe and good for schools.

@Climbingallthetrees

Not Canterbury

I've heard very mixed things about Canterbury, may I ask what it is about the place that you don't like?

@Firefretted

Plenty to do and the Cotswolds on your doorstep. You can swim in the Thames and Windrush rivers in the summer

Thanks, Firefretted. I LOVE Oxford and the Cotswolds but DH doesn't share my enthusiasm for some reason!

Barnes although nearer will fit your criteria most, don't rule it out.

I hated Cambridge when I visited, full of ugly 60s/70s built buildings, train station miles from the centre, locals less than friendly, no nice parks or outside areas

Just to go against the flow, I would absolutely say Canterbury as it ticks all your boxes. I’m biased as I grew up just outside the city but it’s really lovely.

@GreyGardens88

No nice parks or outside areas? Are you sure you went to Cambridge?

Before I saw your list I was going to say Winchester.

@GreyGardens88

I hated Cambridge when I visited, full of ugly 60s/70s built buildings, train station miles from the centre, locals less than friendly, no nice parks or outside areas

Apart from the train station being a mile from the centre I don't think we lived in the same Cambridge, there are many many parks and outside areas.

Guildford? 😊

Guildford

I'd add Bristol to your list OP.

Another vote for Winchester - it is pricey, but worth it in my opinion

Another vote for Cambridge. This house is fab for your budget. In catchment of great primary and secondary- although might be hard to get primary place. Few minutes walk to river/ park/ outdoor lido/ swimming pool/ grantchester meadows/ train station/ museums and town.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-94059125.html

@Mummyshark2018

Another vote for Cambridge. This house is fab for your budget. In catchment of great primary and secondary- although might be hard to get primary place. Few minutes walk to river/ park/ outdoor lido/ swimming pool/ grantchester meadows/ train station/ museums and town.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-94059125.html

The same house can't be in a few minutes walking distance of the station, lido and Granchester Meadows!

train station miles from the centre, locals less than friendly, no nice parks or outside areas

All the meadows and greens? Yes the station is quite far south in the city, but there is so much outdoor green space. Did you walk along the river at all?

I'd move there like a shot if I could afford it.

Cambridge can be very cold though. Also a lot of traffic.