Where is your ideal place to live in England?

[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.

@Somanyquestions1984

OP Basingstoke is a good option, people can be snobby about it but I am also considering moving there (currently renting in Winch) and whilst I would love to stay in Winch it just doesn’t offer good value for money unless you want a boxy new build on the Kingsbarton estate for an inflated price not to mention the plan to build 2000 of them!

I visited old basing and B/S over the weekend and found some decent bars, two theatres the Anvil and Haymarket, a really useful shopping mall, a Vue cinema, lots of open green space, a very cute village with historical points of interest, several types of restaurants including Nepalese to Italian but also useful chains, a lively train station with regular trains to Reading (for a larger town experience), Winchester as it’s just a lovely place to visit, the coast and London of course. All of these places are easily accessible from B/S. I find it a well located town. Diversity is also important to me and I noticed a mixture of people.

I’m from London moving for work and I am swayed as I too would like family friendly but also some nightlife and the only other places I would consider over this are Southampton or Reading. Alas Brighton is too far a commute for me.

I also note that the villages between B/S, Reading and Winch, Farnham and Guildford are all v nice but you do need 500+ budget.

Yes the shopping Center in Basingstoke is pretty decent, and I saw a good few restaurants. Didn't have time for a good look around - sounds like you packed a lot on to that day. People are snobby about Basingstoke for sure but they are about Swindon as well and didcot and Bicester and we'll a lot of places!

This dilemma is one which really resonates as I was in the exact same situation moving back to the UK from the UAE. My saving grace was a website my friend suggested called Whereshome. You can enter your requirements such as your budget, region etc and it will literally give you a list of recommended towns which suit your needs and in most cases a great summary of the town. Will definitely save you a lot of time and stress in the process, I just wish we found it sooner! Good luck x

I know you said you didn't like the vibe in MK but every time you post uour requirements I think MK fits your bill. The housing round the centre isn't the best but areas like Great Linford are much nicer.

Exeter might fit the bill.. you’d get something reasonably sized for your budget too although prices have rocketed recently!

I’m in Fleet just a few miles from Farnborough and it’s a pretty decent area. A year ago you’d be ok on your budget but like everywhere it’s jumped quite a lot recently. Farnborough town centre is pretty uninspiring, although it has most things you’ll need. Going out wise, not so great I’d say, but the whole area has some really nice pubs in the surrounding countryside. In fact the countryside is probably one of its main strengths, there is MOD land all around that is generally open for use, some lovely forests and heathlands. Train to London is very quick too and being near the m3 means it’s quick to get places. I can be on the edge of the new forest in under an hour.

I occasionally go to Amazingstoke for the shopping, and although it feels reasonably safe it’s really not a very pretty or characterful place. Roundabouts everywhere and lots of anonymous estates, some pretty ugly. Also it’s surrounded by featureless farmland mainly, although I haven’t explored it much round there. Transport links also really good. You’ll easily find a house within budget there.

I guess it depends how important being in the SE is. Once you get to places like Bournemouth you’re looking at detached houses potentially rather than semis or terraces. You’ll certainly get more for your money than in the SE.

@Lonelycrab

I’m in Fleet just a few miles from Farnborough and it’s a pretty decent area. A year ago you’d be ok on your budget but like everywhere it’s jumped quite a lot recently. Farnborough town centre is pretty uninspiring, although it has most things you’ll need. Going out wise, not so great I’d say, but the whole area has some really nice pubs in the surrounding countryside. In fact the countryside is probably one of its main strengths, there is MOD land all around that is generally open for use, some lovely forests and heathlands. Train to London is very quick too and being near the m3 means it’s quick to get places. I can be on the edge of the new forest in under an hour.

I occasionally go to Amazingstoke for the shopping, and although it feels reasonably safe it’s really not a very pretty or characterful place. Roundabouts everywhere and lots of anonymous estates, some pretty ugly. Also it’s surrounded by featureless farmland mainly, although I haven’t explored it much round there. Transport links also really good. You’ll easily find a house within budget there.

I guess it depends how important being in the SE is. Once you get to places like Bournemouth you’re looking at detached houses potentially rather than semis or terraces. You’ll certainly get more for your money than in the SE.

Do you know Farnham at all? I've seen a nice apartment in Runfold which is just 15 mins from Guildford but not sure if I'll be a bit bored there?

Farnham is pretty with great shops but the traffic is crazy.

Farnham is naice. Vair vair naice. It’s about as Tory as you can get though so if you wear a pair of red trousers you’ll be fine

Personally I’d find it a bit much. And yes the town centre one way system is a nightmare.