Where the heck should we move to?!

[Paisleypatch]

So we currently live in London and are trying to work out whether to sell up or rent up but either way we're done and we haven't quite settled on where yet.
I know, I know, 'Tired of London, tired of life!' but I'm tired of our immediate area as the schools are rubbish and it really doesn't feel safe anymore. We've looked elsewhere in London but our budget doesn't stretch.

I am hoping that someone might be able to suggest a place that we either haven't thought of yet or give me hope for the places that we are seriously considering. If you are able to help, thank you!! I know, I am pretty much looking for perfection which I won't find but I'm trying to find as close as possible.

We are a small family with a 11 Month DS. Mid 30's and a small doggo. I work as a birth doula and hubby works for an American tech firm so we aren't confined by commutes atm, though DH might need to get to London on occasion so no 4 hour train journeys. We also don't want to be more than 2.30 hours from north Essex where my aging parents are!

So what do we want, well everything! But I'll start with the must haves - access to coast or lovely countryside. We would also like good pubs/restaurants for when we can maybe use them. Good schools, things to do for small babies as I don't work full time so want to be able to take DS out and about and have found groups and classes so wonderful for him. We've obvs been spoilt where we are but a good young family community would be amazing as I wouldn't be against setting up my own groups.

Now to the affordability bit which is essentially what holds us back from most 'perfect' places! We are looking for a 3-4 bed and we have a budget of max £550.

Places we are seriously considering (and there are probs no surprises here)

Ramsgate
Broadstairs
The Dedham Vale area North of Colchester, but really seems to spenny
Cambridge - again seems to spenny but maybe surrounding villages?
Suffolk coastal - again too spenny and maybe too full of holiday lets
Rye - might just work

Basically I would LOVE your insights and experience of any or all of this! Thanks so much in advance. Xxxx

Ely might work? North of Cambridge but easy-ish access to it. Nice town doing schools.

Maybe W Sussex. Somewhere like Horsham has everything you ask for- easy access to coast and countryside, great schools, lots to do and lots of places to eat out. Not sure how far it would be to where you need in Essex, but also well connected by train and motorway.

On to Rightmove I go :) Thank you!

Xx

Well, would you consider South Wales? Couple of hours from London on train, M4 motorway a minute from the house.

House is 4 bed detached, overlooking the sea. Lovely large beach. Close to towns, Superschool. 20 minutes from nearest city and the Gower for areas of outstanding natural beauty.

House does need full modernisation but would come in way under your budget at £290k. You get a lot of house for your money here 😂

Sorry, I know you say you need to be near North Essex so it’s out. It’s a lovely area though 😛

Can I clarify what this means 'seems to Spenny'??? I have no idea what this means?

Would you want to be closer to your parents than Kent? Before reading that bit, I was going to suggest the far North Essex Coast (Frinton/Harwich) or Suffolk coast. No idea about schools in those areas though.

I actually LOVE South wales, its so beautiful but think Hubby would have a heart attack, it's just too far from everything he's known. He is born and brought up Londoner so it's a really wrench to him to leave! X

What do you mean by "to spenny"?

Ramsgate and Broadstairs are full of retirees.

I would stay in London. Mumsnet is filled with people who regret moving away. All of East and South East London is within 2.5 hours of your parents.

Ely? About 15 miles north of Cambridge, on the train line to London, not too far to north Essex. Lots of baby groups etc, good access to Norfolk coast

Sorry, Spenny means very expensive.
Frinton is where my mum and dad are and whilst I love it, I wouldn't choose to live there, as I feel like it's slightly more suited to retirees. We go on hols to Frinton every year so don't want to taint those memories and move there if that makes sense.

If we could find something in the budget then we would consider it but our area - East London to be less specific just doesn't feel good anymore. We want a bigger house and we can't afford anything nicer in London unfortunately.

I would be a little bit cautious in terms of your work. Will there be the same demand for doulas in a less-densely populated area? Will the women in the new area be likely to buy that kind of service?

I have lived in one of those big ‘family’ areas of London and it is very easy to get caught up in the proliferation of sling libraries, baby groups, LLL groups and assume that the level of new-parent activity is like that everywhere.

Maybe Hitchin?

Completely see what you mean. It's definitely crossed my mind and in the areas that I've listed I've been quite conscious of seeing what is already out there. I'm no stranger to hustling for work but obviously don't want to make things really hard for myself. It's definitely something to consider.

Hitchin? Lovely countryside, amazing schools. Budget might be tricky but there is a variety of housing there/here. Market Town and lots of families who had previously lived in London.

Lewes. Can be expensive but there are few things in your budget like this:

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/141598055#/?channel=RES_BUY

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/138867143#/?channel=RES_BUY

It probably would be very different. It’s a much slower pace of life. It’s a very close community feel but newcomers are always welcome.

You’d be a bit isolated without a car though as the house is elevated and it’s quite a steep hill but then you get the lovely sea views as a trade off.

Lovely pub down and across the road. And the local church has baby / toddler groups, messy play etc and young wives group.

its probably way quieter than your husband would be used to though 😃

You're a true angel! Links as well! Thank you!! Xxx

Hastings?

Ahh, so 'To Spenny' actually means 'TOO expensive', thanks for clarifying. I'm not British so had never hard this term.

Its a very good point regarding your work. I'd look up the demographics of the various area you are looking at. I recall looking up Colchester, and the demographics were much younger than some of the coastal areas and smaller villages. Maybe look up maternity units/birthing unit locations too. Also look at WIFI speed if your DH WFH.

You can afford a good house in Tonbridge Wells and it meets your requirements.

Now you've explained what spent means, I'm surprised you think Suffolk Coastal might be. Southwold and Aldeburgh are expensive, but other towns such as Leiston and Lowestoft aren't. The high schools in mid Suffolk tend to be better, but Farlingaye near Woodbridge has a good reputation.

Like a pp suggested, Ely. Or St Ives (Cambs) beautiful little town, lots of nice restaurants, coffee shops, baby groups etc. Lovely countryside.

Thank you, I haven't looked at Lowerstoft to be honest as I didn't want to go too much further north than Southwold. Also a little nervous of buying around Sizewell, as if they go ahead with the commission of the power station, it will spell disaster for the local areas.

Norwich. City enough for your DH, should be work for doulas. Close to coast/country but still loads going on

Wonderful, will have a good look! Thank you!