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Original poster

Where is your ideal place to live in England?

83 replies

Samara26 · 26/09/2021 06:08

If you could live anywhere in the South of England, or Midlands (excluding London), where would it be, and why?

I would like to know what areas appeal for what reasons, rather than personal reasons like having family nearby or sentimental reasons.

I'm looking to move within England in the south / midlands and am struggling to find somewhere that has a good balance of amenities, nightlife and being reasonably priced and reasonably safe.

OP posts:
MyOtherProfile · 26/09/2021 06:13

Depends on your budget and what kind of house you would like for that money. Start with that and see what you can afford otherwise people wil be suggesting places where you may only be able to afford a shoe box.

Fiercestcalm · 26/09/2021 06:15

St Albans, great schools, relatively safe, pretty market town, plenty of bridle ways and easy escape to rural Hertfordshire, fast train links into London. Not sure about the reasonably priced bit … lots of pubs if that’s your thing

If I returned to the UK it’s the only place I would consider living in England.

ToastieSnowy · 26/09/2021 06:20

Newcastle or Durham would fit your good balance criteria easily, why ignore the north as a location?

Heronwatcher · 26/09/2021 07:36

Would you include the coast? I’d love to live near Sandwich or Deal. Or the north Kent coast. Because I love the sea. But I also really like rural Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire- pretty, lovely walks, plenty to do but more down to earth and friendly in a way that some of the Home Counties aren’t.

BelhavenTer · 26/09/2021 07:39

Not in the South but there is a UK city that I adore - Edinburgh. The short winter days make for cosy nights in the house with a fire on. During the day, the light isn't harsh, the sky filled with pastel colours and imagine you are in the highlands. It's my idea of a compact, sweet, cultured, beautiful and magical place that's totally manageable .... but London is home.

BrilloPaddy · 26/09/2021 07:47

We live in Gloucestershire, and it's a pretty decent county. The only downside is the house prices.

We're a short walk away from the River Severn, and it's less than a 30 minute drive to either the Malvern hills or Cotswold hills. Cheltenham is a decent sized town with lots of decent shopping, bars and restaurants.

Bluesheep8 · 26/09/2021 07:53

why ignore the north as a location?

I thought this, but the OP does state Midlands and South

Downthespidersweb · 26/09/2021 07:55

Have you considered milton keynes? Loads of amenities and things to do.

Downthespidersweb · 26/09/2021 07:56

Also good transport links

ilovebw · 26/09/2021 08:07

Cambridge. It's a beautiful city. Plenty of things to do lots of nice bars and restaurants.

SJaneS49 · 26/09/2021 10:36

Canterbury? Lovely surrounding countryside, very historic city, v reasonable house prices, good rail links, lots of restaurants/bars + a good theatre. Good schools too.

If it could move anywhere it would either be Shropshire/Herefordshire. My family are there so there is a bias but I think it’s a really lovely part of the country.

TangoWhiskyAlphaTango · 26/09/2021 13:15

Where I've just moved to - Shrewsbury. Gorgeous place, affordable housing for most budgets. Lovely community, countryside on the doorstep. It's a hidden gem.

Original poster
Samara26 · 26/09/2021 14:59

@Downthespidersweb

Have you considered milton keynes? Loads of amenities and things to do.
I didn't get a good vibe when I went there. It also has high crime rates compared to Reading and other large towns.
OP posts:
MyOtherProfile · 26/09/2021 15:50

@MyOtherProfile

Depends on your budget and what kind of house you would like for that money. Start with that and see what you can afford otherwise people wil be suggesting places where you may only be able to afford a shoe box.
@Samara26 ?
CorianderAndCream · 26/09/2021 17:06

Tintagel, Cornwall. Probs not what you want but if choose London then the North and then... Tintagel

MrsKDB · 26/09/2021 17:07

Bristol

Twasacceptableinthe80s · 26/09/2021 19:35

We had exactly this dilemma when we moved back to the UK and looked all over the South, eventually choosing Folkestone as it had both beautiful countryside and stunning coastline, was easily accessible for both London (less than an hour) and Europe (via Channel Tunnel). Obviously your budget will have a huge impact on your choices, but we felt there was lovely housing stock that was comparatively very cheap and that was a significant factor in our decision., as was agood selction of independent shops and restaurants…

sarahb083 · 27/09/2021 10:24

Winchester or Guildford, though neither are reasonably priced. I think anywhere with good amenities and nightlife that's also safe is probably quite expensive. If you don't need good schools you might have an easier time.

Original poster
Samara26 · 09/01/2022 04:15

@Samara26

If you could live anywhere in the South of England, or Midlands (excluding London), where would it be, and why?

I would like to know what areas appeal for what reasons, rather than personal reasons like having family nearby or sentimental reasons.

I'm looking to move within England in the south / midlands and am struggling to find somewhere that has a good balance of amenities, nightlife and being reasonably priced and reasonably safe.

Thanks for all your responses, still not found anywhere and house prices have crept up so my indecision will probably cost me another 15-20k lol Confused

Currently looking at Basingstoke Hmm, Cheltenham, Chelmsford, and Farnborough if anyone knows these areas?

Budget is 365k-ish

OP posts:
Hoolihan · 09/01/2022 04:19

Basingstoke is shit.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 09/01/2022 04:24

Bristol

BasiliskStare · 09/01/2022 05:03

I'd tend towards Bristol or environs if you are more thinking of west . Basingstoke has some lovely villages etc but the town centre ( I have not lived there but used to have to go quite a bit for work ) is a bit soulless, ( Apologies for anyone who lives there - purely my opinion & I probably don't know the better areas - lots of shops the road and rail network is great I can see why it suits many people and also access to lots of lovely places ) - just trying to answer the question

Left field £365k may not buy a lot ( It won't - but Bath ? ) a v small flat so 1 bedroom might get you within walking distance to the city centre - if you need a house - maybe not so good

Original poster
Samara26 · 09/01/2022 05:22

@BasiliskStare

I'd tend towards Bristol or environs if you are more thinking of west . Basingstoke has some lovely villages etc but the town centre ( I have not lived there but used to have to go quite a bit for work ) is a bit soulless, ( Apologies for anyone who lives there - purely my opinion & I probably don't know the better areas - lots of shops the road and rail network is great I can see why it suits many people and also access to lots of lovely places ) - just trying to answer the question

Left field £365k may not buy a lot ( It won't - but Bath ? ) a v small flat so 1 bedroom might get you within walking distance to the city centre - if you need a house - maybe not so good

I need a 3 bed house - Bath is very expensive. I've seen loads of 3 beds in Bristol around a 10-25 min drive of the Center (I don't need to be able to walk to it) but I guess traffic and parking becomes a problem then. But then again people said I should never drive into Reading town Center and I do in the middle of a Saturday and find it fine!

Cheltenham any good? I've seen a beautiful 4 bed house there for 340k, just half mile from the train station!

OP posts:
Original poster
Samara26 · 09/01/2022 05:24

@Hoolihan

Basingstoke is shit.
Why's it shit? I'm not into theatre, or cultural things, I just want good bars, nice people who don't spit in the street Confused and amenities.
OP posts:
nettie434 · 09/01/2022 05:24

I know Farnborough and Chelmsford from your list, Samara26, assuming you are referring to the Hampshire Farnborough rather than the Orpington one. Both feel comparatively safe (but you can look up the actual published crime rates), for instance feeling safe enough to walk to and from the station in the evening.

Farnborough has good rail and road links but not really much of a cultural life or restaurant quarter. However, it's quite near Guildford. Shopping is basic high street rather than bijou or quirky shops.

Chelmsford has really tried to develop its cultural/retail attractions. There is a newish shopping area called Bond Street which has a small John Lewis and lots of restarants.

£365k would not get you a huge amount in either place - Chelmsford is expensive because of its excellent commuter links to London. I think Colchester is cheaper but it's further out of course - but it depends on what you need.

Good luck with your hunting!