Where would you move?

[Restless]

We are looking to relocate for lots of reasons.
we don’t have a huge budget (£220k max), need 3 bedrooms, schools and good public transport. WFH so jobs aren’t an issue.
The areas we have seen within budget are Plymouth, Ipswich, Norwich and parts of Taunton and Yeovil. If you had to pick between those places which would you pick and why? Also any other suggestions of affordable places welcome.
Thanks!

If you would move North (as I always do on these threads) I'd recommend York, lots of cafes, shops and restaurants if that's your type of thing, it's very beautiful and full of history plus some of the best schools in the country. What I like is that everything is walkable and being a city there's also plenty of busses as well as the excellent train services.

With your budget you might be a bit out of the city but would something like this work for you?
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/130677557#/?channel=RES_BUY

Or this one, it has a "loft room" www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/127788875#/?channel=RES_BUY

I haven't lived up there in years, but members of my family still do and there are definitely nice areas on the outskirts of Norwich where you could probably get a little 3-bed house with a small garden for £220k.

The fact you don't drive though might be an issue and is one I hadn't realised when I answered your post. You could live in Norfolk without a car, but I wouldn't want to, because once you get outside the city the public transport options are considerably reduced. As long as you are okay with that though and whatever you find is on a good, regular bus route, I'm sure you could manage.

I liked Taunton because it is just the right size. Not too big but big enough that you have everything that you need. Lovely countryside and the coast close by. Good train links and the M5 for getting to other places.

If you do consider a move up North, you can get a lovely home in Scarborough for your budget - seaside, good transport links www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/127115306#/?channel=RES_BUY

That house looks lovely. However, hoping for a garden.
What is Scarborough like generally?

Don't think Exeter would be in the OPs budget myself having been looking myself.

I also haven't lived in Norwich for many years but when I was there the area around Anglia Square was considered quite rough. Also Mile Cross, Heartsease, Lakenham. Nice, family friendly areas which might be in your budget are Thorpe St Andrew, Trowse and further out, Brundall, Blofield. I had friends there who used to come into Norwich on the train or bus from these places so public transport was quite good.

Scarborough's great if you don't mind the tourists in the summer. Good transport links to York and beyond too. The coast in that area is beautiful.