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Original poster

Stuck on where to live!

51 replies

Ggohome · 02/05/2023 10:04

Hi all,

I am hoping for some help/ideas on where to live!

A bit of background: I'm at a bit of a crossroads in my life. 32, single, work totally remotely. I have friends scattered around the country and have no ties in a particular area. I'm looking for a new home base, currently in the south east

  • the chance to meet people, date etc
  • I have a very healthy budget of 600k through inheritance (I appreciate how lucky I am)
  • 3 beds house, I would like a it of space to grow
  • walking distance to shops, bars, cafes etc
  • near the countryside I'm a country girl at heart
  • I would love to get a dog so garden, good walks locally
  • large town or small city that I could get my arms around.
  • I have previously lived in Edinburgh, Leeds and Bristol but never quite settled/life events so not sure on returning. Have previously commuted into London and it's not somewhere I would like to live (large, costly housing etc.)
  • some kind of sports teams I play netball hockey so anything like that would be great!

I think I'm kind of overwhelmed by the options and will be trying to visit as many places over the next few months but any help narrowing down the short list would be amazing!

OP posts:
C4tastrophe · 02/05/2023 11:04

Hove for example, or anywhere on/by/near the coast with a university to keep the town lively.

maranella · 02/05/2023 11:07

Where are your best friends and your family OP? That might help us to give you suggestions. You don't have to be specific - just e.g. Hampshire, Norwich, Sheffield.

DogInATent · 02/05/2023 11:31

Buy a campervan, spend a few months working remotely and travelling around the UK to see which bits you like. Find a region that appeals for the countryside that appeals to you, then figure out which town/city offers you the facilities, services and access to the countryside you want.

Personally, I'd start by looking at large towns/small cities on railway lines that offer easy access to bigger cities for the cultural life but are maybe just outside or on the edge of normal commuting distance to London. Classic examples would be Norwich or King's Lynn in Norfolk - at the end of their respective lines with easy rail access to Cambridge and London, and by road to the coast.

bravotango · 02/05/2023 11:56

I'd go somewhere like south Manchester, York or Liverpool, but agree with a PP that you could try a few places first (Airbnb?) if you work remotely. Adventure year of a few weeks here and there and then decide? With that budget you could pretty much go anywhere outside of the SE

Original poster
Ggohome · 02/05/2023 14:28

There are some great ideas thank you. My family is south east and also in Manchester. Friends are in all corners, London, Leamington, Cambridgeshire Scotland but there isn't a hub and I also want to create a life for myself as they are busy married with kids now so meet ups are not always that frequent anyway!

I have never been one for decisions and having the choice across the country is actually a curse and not a blessing for me!

OP posts:
NicLondon1 · 02/05/2023 14:58

I am not sure anyone could really help here as your geographical remit is so wide…. Maybe you could start by spending a week in your top 5 options ? Book an Airbnb and narrow down your areas?

maranella · 02/05/2023 15:28

How often do you tend to visit your family? Do they visit you? If so, then I'd take a look at areas between wherever your family lives in the SE and Manchester, focusing on places that aren't too far from main train lines and/or artery roads, depending on how you prefer to travel. Also, think about how much time you're prepared to spend travelling to see them and how much of a barrier distance will be to seeing them regularly. I live 2+ hours from my family and it really affects how often I see them, because while its doable, it's really too far to go there and back in a day. Plus, I have kids and we all have pets. I only see them about four times a year as a result.

BrightonBeach83 · 02/05/2023 16:16

Based on your list I would suggest Guildford (beautiful countryside, good small city with plenty going on, good sports scene), or Winchester (as above although a little less close to London and not so much going on, but beautiful), and finally, if you could afford it, Cambridge. Cambridge would be my top choice but I suspect it's too pricey to buy anywhere near the centre, hence the other suggestions.

cravingmilkshake · 02/05/2023 16:18

Winchester is good too- otterbourne is lovely

MadEyeMoodysEye · 02/05/2023 16:18

Leigh on Sea, Essex.

romatheroamer · 02/05/2023 16:43

600k doesn't go very far in Winchester, you're talking small terraced.

Rockstars · 02/05/2023 16:54

Salisbury, you would be near the new forest for countryside.

SilentHedges · 02/05/2023 18:00

BrightonBeach83 · 02/05/2023 16:16

Based on your list I would suggest Guildford (beautiful countryside, good small city with plenty going on, good sports scene), or Winchester (as above although a little less close to London and not so much going on, but beautiful), and finally, if you could afford it, Cambridge. Cambridge would be my top choice but I suspect it's too pricey to buy anywhere near the centre, hence the other suggestions.

I would suggest accessible to (but not necessarily in) Guildford too. There's some beautiful villages and small towns around there, ie below Guildford within the Surrey Hills AONB. Its lovely, we walk for miles and usually only see a few people. Agree with Winchester but more expensive, also Haslemere. Farnham I'd discount, as its a traffic nightmare.

LobsterBiscuit · 02/05/2023 18:07

Get yourself up north Grin

You'll get what you want on half of that.

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 02/05/2023 19:25

I’d say South Manchester, though you won’t be getting a mansion for half that these days!!
Easy access to the Peak District and Saddleworth, lots of nice areas like Chorlton, Sale, Didsbury which all link to the city easily

midsomermurderess · 02/05/2023 19:30

Newcastle, Jesmond maybe, would £600k get you something there? Direct train line to London, close to the sea and countryside.

ThankmelaterOkay · 02/05/2023 19:50

Totally remote? Can you work outside Uk?

Mariposa6 · 02/05/2023 19:58

I think basically it depends how much house you want for your money. Winchester and Cambridge are great towns but expensive. Norwich is great, it’s cheaper and has a lot going on/near lovely coast, but also more out of the way. Hastings is a bit of a dump but lots of arty people and gorgeous countryside.

Calmdown14 · 02/05/2023 22:31

Gosh too much choice is hard.

Your options fall into two categories essentially. You could focus on convenience to most of the places you might access easily (head option). Or just hope to get the right feeling somewhere (a heart decision where love of a particular type of country view or seaside is more likely to take over).

I do agree with visiting as many places as possible.

You could start with the practical and see where that takes you. Somewhere like Macclesfield might fit. Close to Manchester but with a rural feel and very well connected on train routes (under 2 hours to London) and easy for Manchester airport.

Cottipus · 02/05/2023 22:36

Lytham village on the Fylde coast might be an idea to visit, plenty of walks, great bars and restaurants, very dog friendly. I don’t know about dating and social, but they have an annual music festival so there must be some life there. Property isn’t cheap but you’ll be fine with your budget.

tigerbear · 02/05/2023 22:38

I second Newcastle area/NE coast such as Whitley Bay or Tynemouth.

exhusbandsaknob · 02/05/2023 22:39

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/129008669

exhusbandsaknob · 02/05/2023 22:41

Exeter meets your criteria and not far from Bristol if you still have friends there. Small city to get around but has everything you need as people come from surrounding villages and towns when they need to. Easy to get to the coast or countryside.

ChocChipHandbag · 02/05/2023 22:42

Can you be completely confident that your work will always be 100% remote? What if you get more senior and want to move into management, or change employers, is there any part of the country that is more of a hub for the work that you do?

I ask because I know that the world of work has changed but the idea of working entirely alone in your own home for another 30 years sounds really isolating to me. It suits me 3 days out of 4 as a married 50 year-old with kids who did her time at the office coal face, but would not have been my ideal when I was 32, single and ambitious.

Jellylover · 02/05/2023 22:45

How about Cheltenham or Worcester?