Where can we live without a car?

[DespairingInLondon]

We're thinking of leaving London but really do not want to have to get a car.

Our children will be in secondary school soon, so we want them to have social lives but without having to drive them everywhere.

Tell me about the places you know within about 2 hours of London where you truly can live without a car. Frequent, reliable public transport, safe cycling options, walk to town centre and shops, etc.

If your two hours from London is by train & can extend to 2 and a bit, the major northern cities (e.g. Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield or Newcastle) have excellent public transport, culture, nightlife and cheaper housing.

There’s no need for a car to get around any of these places but you might consider hiring one to explore the lovely countryside nearby

Leeds - Yorkshire dales
Sheffield and Manchester - Peak District
Newcastle - Northumberland coast and castles

@DespairingInLondon how many bedrooms do you need? I still think sheffield could be a good option for you.

The good schools are oversubscribed but there is some movement in and out of schools near the university because of lecturers and students with children and short (3 year) contracts who go and live there for a bit and then move away so places do come up reasonably regularly. House prices have gone a bit bonkers in the last year but you could still definitely buy somewhere very nice, close to the city centre for a million. Look at broomhill, Crookes, ranmoor, botanical gardens, crosspool, endcliffe, possibly walkley, although there aren't many larger houses there. These are all cyclable into the city centre within half an hour (although the hills are a pain on the way back). These areas have quite a lot of students in , which can be a problem if you get inconsiderate ones but generally adds lots of nice energy and vibrancy to the area. Less students as you head out to ranmoor and crosspool.

This one needs some work but is well below your budget and in a lovely road walking distance to shops and 20mins cycle to the train station in the city centre
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/113817932#/?channel=RES_BUY

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/111827558#/?channel=RES_BUY

Portsmouth. Impossible to drive around so everyone cycles, nice and flat or buses. Halve your house budget and pay for private school. Ferry to Isle of Wight for accessible and beautiful countryside

Wow, so many great suggestions! Thank you, everyone. Have been away so will take some time to research these all properly.

I am from London and have lived in Chipping Norton but would not choose to live there without a car TBH. It is a small town with limited facilities and public transport and I think it would be a huge culture shock if you are used to city life. The traffic pollution in the town is bad too.

With a £1m budget you can just stay in London? There are 5-bed family homes in SE London for less than that.