Moving South

[Cardsonthetable]

I am looking to move South to be nearer to adult children. One is in Surrey and the other in Birmingham. Looking for somewhere to move to that I can access both within a couple of hours or so, has good public transport and lovely countryside with a welcoming community. I don’t want to be in the city. I don’t want to be in a soulless commuter town, but somewhere with independent shops, maybe an independent cinema and friendly people.

I know Stroud , and the Cheltenham area. Have thought about villages around Bath . Looking for different suggestions. I don’t know Hampshire at all but wondered if that might be an option. Budget is up to about £750,000 max. Need three decent sized bedrooms and a garden, and detached.

Belper has everything you are looking for, but I’m not sure it’s close enough to Surrey?

Would it be better to move actually close to one of your DC? If you are uprooting yourself only to be a few hours drive from either of them, is it worth leaving all your existing community and social connections?

Maybe somewhere around Oxford if you want to be a reasonable distance from both? Abingdon is quite nice I think, although haven't been there for a while.

I’ve thought about that. The trouble is the grandchild is in Surrey but they are renting and not likely to be there long term. I don’t want to live in Surrey at all.

Banbury or Amersham

Don't go to Medway Horrendous Nhs

Alas, Abingdon has no train station.

If they aren't likely to be there long term wouldn't it make sense to wait and see where they eventually settle and buy a house at that stage near them?

Friends have recently moved to Wendover which seems lovely and would fit the bill?

Somewhere in Buckinghamshire might fit the bill.

Moreton-in-Marsh?

I would do this too.

They aren’t going to be in a position to buy for some time. They won’t move too far from London/Southampton in the future due to work so it’s a safe bet I think that they’ll be around there .
Other child in Birmingham is likely to move in the future.

Would you not be better renting too? That way you wouldn't be tied down either, and you could try out different areas first?

How about South Warwickshire or Northamptonshire? Leamington Spa, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Brackley or Northampton? You would be between both places and with good transport links.

What about looking at new forest?

Easy commute to a Birmingham up the A34 and easy to Surrey.

I’d suggest Winchester, you are close to the A34 for going up to Birmingham and the M3 for Surrey and Southampton. Nice city, train station and lots of nice villages in the area if you don’t want to be in the city itself.

There’s another thread on Winchester which is interesting as it’s somewhere we considered. Apparently the pollution is awful and that is something that concerns me at the moment where we currently live:

Villages would be great but hard to know which are good!

Realistically you could get what you want in most areas with that budget.
If its all brand new for you - I'd rent first. Try out an area before committing to it. Stick the money in the bank and earn 5% interest, it would likely cover your rental costs.

Winchester pollution isn't that bad. And if you are in one of the villages it's lovely.
Abingdon might not have a station but Didcot and Oxford do. Buses quite good, and there are also coaches.
You could also look at the nicer bits of Southampton. Or maybe Newbury?

Have a look at Alresford and the villages (Medstead, Ropley, Four Marks) up to and including Alton, if you’re looking around Winchester.
Overton and Whitchurch and also Romsey would also be worth investigating if you like the idea of Hampshire.