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!

@penelopeplums

From that house Lammas land and the meadows (which are next to each) are a few minutes walk from that house. Ok the station is about 10-15, but about 5 on a bike. I used to do it all the time!

I grew up in Cambridge, moved away quite a few years ago. When I go back to visit family so realise what I didn't like about it. It's very 'showy' a bit like a Disneyland idea of what an English city is like. Quite superficial and no real character. Looks pretty but that's about it.

My sister loves it though, fully buys into the whole thing so, horses for courses!

@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

Gorgeous house, thanks Mummyshark2018!

[quote Mummyshark2018]@penelopeplums

From that house Lammas land and the meadows (which are next to each) are a few minutes walk from that house. Ok the station is about 10-15, but about 5 on a bike. I used to do it all the time! [/quote]
I'd say more like 1/2 an hour to walk to the station but like you I cycled anyway - usually from Fulbourn to Chesterton depending where I was working at the time (and that's me outed as far as my job goes!)

Petersfield. Market town in the heart of the South Downs. 60 mins to Waterloo.

Winchester.
It's fabulous,
Excellent schools.
Close To London on the train
Beautiful countryside

@IveSeenThings

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.

It has decent parks if you like barren patches of grass like school playing fields

Barnes is very special, it really feels like a village rather than in London (although there is the planes...!). Good primaries but secondary can be problematic and the private schools are hugely competitive. Cambridge is lovely too but doesn't really feel city-like. You will obviously get something much, much bigger in Cambridge (or indeed anywhere outside London) than in Barnes for 5K. Don't write off Surrey due to your friend's experience, some excellent schools primary and secondary schools, near London (lots of places less than an hour), beautiful surroundings and the age of your children mean you will be meeting parents etc.

I’m in one of them
And can’t recommend more highly

Love love love living here

But don’t want to put myself!

I have previously lived in/ near some of these places so don't have up to date information/ current school info but do have overall impressions.

Winchester is a beautiful, small city, lots of attracive boutiques, nice market surrounded by lots of pretty villages. Easy commute to S London

Cambridge also beautiful, lots of stunning, historic buildings, can get v touristy in the Summer, etc and lots of students. I particularly liked the are to the South. Commute to London an hour.

St Albans- also beautiful, some love Edwardian houses, great shops. Extremely expensive property. Very short commute to London.

Henley- don't know it but looks beautiful.

Bath- beautiful architecture but extremely expensive and not sure what it is like to actually live there.

Don't know the other places well enough to comment.

Liverpool.

@Atadaddicted

I’m in one of them And can’t recommend more highly

Love love love living here

But don’t want to put myself!

Oh come on, do share!

@onlywomennotmen

Barnes is very special, it really feels like a village rather than in London (although there is the planes...!). Good primaries but secondary can be problematic and the private schools are hugely competitive. Cambridge is lovely too but doesn't really feel city-like. You will obviously get something much, much bigger in Cambridge (or indeed anywhere outside London) than in Barnes for 5K. Don't write off Surrey due to your friend's experience, some excellent schools primary and secondary schools, near London (lots of places less than an hour), beautiful surroundings and the age of your children mean you will be meeting parents etc.

Barnes is lovely. So expensive, though, and not much to rent in the better school catchment areas, sadly.

Winchester wins hands down

Don't know l of them that well but:
Tunbridge Wells - lovely in places although some really grotty parts and town centre is very tired these days. Good schools but tough to get in to the right ones.
Henley - very pretty by the river and very buzzy cafe culture
Bath - have always loved the history but wouldn't want to live there

Have you considered Guildford? Fits your criteria.

I would go for Winchester absolutely. It’s expensive but then you’ve got the money. I wouldn’t do Cambridge, the countryside you’ve got access to isn’t a patch on some of the other areas. I’ve always found the city a bit flat and chilly.
Think your husband needs to give his head a wobble about the Cotswolds though it’s absolutely gorgeous.

St Albans ticks all those boxes but is very expensive and not much avail in the areas close to schools. Also can be tricky to get places in schools but that is prob true of all the places on your list.

Love Cambridge but it’s nicer out of season - it’s heaving during usual tourism and student times. It’s lovely at the moment!

Bath - my dad’s cousin used to live at The Circus for years and years and moved because Bath ‘isn’t what it used to be’ and now lives at Bradford upon Avon and loves it.

My daughter went to Uni in Bristol and stayed for about 6 years after ( now travelling but wants to return) and we visited a couple of times a year. It has a lot of what you are requesting. She lived in Clifton (2 years), Bishopston, Horefield and Gloucester Road before being priced out and going to Clevedon on the coast.

There is a lot going on but you still have the waterways and green spaces to give it a good vibe. We live in a small village in the north and I don’t really like cities but I do like Bristol it is very cosmopolitan without having masses of crowds which overwhelms me. There is plenty to do with youngsters and some lovely restaurants for both family’s and couples. I believe there are some very good schools. Some lovely architecture and some great family homes.

Good luck with your search.

Winchester had far less tourists than Cambridge or Bath, it never feels overcrowded. The water meadows are delightful and there is easy access to the coast & to Southampton for shopping at larger stores etc.

@Bowerbird5

Bath - my dad’s cousin used to live at The Circus for years and years and moved because Bath ‘isn’t what it used to be’ and now lives at Bradford upon Avon and loves it.

My daughter went to Uni in Bristol and stayed for about 6 years after ( now travelling but wants to return) and we visited a couple of times a year. It has a lot of what you are requesting. She lived in Clifton (2 years), Bishopston, Horefield and Gloucester Road before being priced out and going to Clevedon on the coast.

There is a lot going on but you still have the waterways and green spaces to give it a good vibe. We live in a small village in the north and I don’t really like cities but I do like Bristol it is very cosmopolitan without having masses of crowds which overwhelms me. There is plenty to do with youngsters and some lovely restaurants for both family’s and couples. I believe there are some very good schools. Some lovely architecture and some great family homes.

Good luck with your search.

St Albans is so pretty! Sadly the local council have informed us that none of the 'good' primary schools have spaces and as you say, it's hard to find rentals in the catchment areas. Shame, as it's the best place in terms of commuting for DH.

@Newgirls

St Albans ticks all those boxes but is very expensive and not much avail in the areas close to schools. Also can be tricky to get places in schools but that is prob true of all the places on your list.

Love Cambridge but it’s nicer out of season - it’s heaving during usual tourism and student times. It’s lovely at the moment!

He agrees that it's gorgeous! We spent some time in Chipping Norton some time ago, he tried the commute and found it a bit arduous. Perhaps the rail links have improved since then, I'll have a look!

Yes school places are tricky but I can honestly say that all the primaries are good. There are also private primary options if you go down that route and if just for a few years might be an option. Eg St Albans high school for girls primary is in Wheathampstead which isn’t far from north St Albans.

I too am curious why one of the pp was so definitely against Canterbury.

I was going to say you seem to be describing Winchester or maybe Salisbury.

But take a look at Guildford too. It's a very safe, happy, calm town with good schools and gorgeous countryside on the doorstep. High Street is surviving better than many, and has a mix of major chain stores as well as lovely cobbled alleyways with more independent shops and cafes. There's a lido for outdoor swimming in summer and great music venues. And it's a very easy commute to London.

FWIW I hate Cambridge. It is the coldest place I've ever been. Howling winds come in off the fens and chill you to the bone. And the centre of town feels dominated by the uni. Fine if you work for it or are a student there but otherwise, a bit odd. Oxford is much more a town in its own right, and several degrees warmer!