Thinking of leaving London. Does this place exist? Where is it?

[Speaknowfearlessreputation]

London has gotten so expensive and I am finding that the community I once loved is disappearing too.

If this is on our wish list, where would suit us?

-strong community: friendly, easy to integrate, lots to do
-liberal minded people
-creative people around (I work in a creative industry)
-access to London (doesn’t have to be commutable as I work from home, but DH and I do need to get back once every fortnight or so)
-a charming high street full of independent shops
-not too polluted
-good schools, preferably progressive schools
-great place to be a kid

Where would this place be?

Forest Row is like this. Has a lot of Steiner and Montessori school stuff.

Folkestone is extremely creative, I don’t know anything about the schools

Leamington Spa is gorgeous and came top of the list in the Sunday Times places to live in the midlands.

I moved from Bethnal Green/Hackney to Leytonstone and that was enough of a difference for me. Took me a couple of years to get used to and it’s 20 mins away <drama>

I grew up in Hitchin and still have family in the area. It’s nice enough, but much less diverse than when I was a child, and Hackney it ain’t. People either love it or hate it I think- I find it too twee and smug, and was bored shitless there as a teen, so that’s probably colouring my view. Perhaps go and visit and see how you feel?

Bristol. Easy train to London, very liberal and arty. Houses significantly cheaper than London.

You've described Lewes exactly!

Harrogate. It's a beautiful town and although houses are pricy, they're not as expensive as London.

The schools are good, there's plenty of countryside around, and a good train service to London. Some are direct trains.

There is plenty going on for creative people - a night school offering over 100 different courses, lots of restaurants and cafes, and nightlife if you want it.

This

Bath ! Maybe Frome, but not sure about the schools.

Norwich. Good creative community. Liberal community. Lots to do and close to the coast. Good value on housing.

Lewes
Margate

Lewes, Chichester, Arundel, Hove, Seaford, Eastbourne all fit what you've described (in my opinion!)

Stroud
Frome
Totnes
...fit your criteria and are all within east reach of London.
I personally think similar places out of reach of London are far better (for reasons I won't go into now).
These include:
Hebdon Bridge
Whitby,
Hexham
Morpeth

*easy

'liberal minded people'
Very much depends on which part of Norwich😵‍💫

Got to be Norwich. I would move back tomorrow if I could.

Another vote for Chorlton (or parts of bristol)

I loathed Hitchin. Not diverse or liberal especially, but as Pp said, quite smug. And overpriced for what's there.
Saffron Walden? Bishops Stortford? Ware? Leigh on sea? Whitstable?

Walthamstow! It’s only grimy round the station. Look at the village, around Lloyd park, and down by Blackhorse Road (northcote road ish). It’s exactly what you’re looking for and a huge amount of the population is ex hackney. You’ll fit right in.

Look into Margate/Cliftonville.
We lived in Brighton many years ago, back to SE London then relocated to Margate.
Lots of people from Hackney have relocated here.
Great community.
FB group Margate stuff and salads is a good start for research

I can't believe 2 people have said East Grinstead - that town has a seriously weird vibe...

Rochester or Canterbury kent

Malvern, Cheltenham, Stroud

Leigh on Sea! Ticks all your boxes!

Agree re Norwich.
And it IS liberal, progressive and accepting, etc. Sick of the tired old trope that Norfolk is full of inbred dickheads.

Lewes, Winchester, Bristol, Frome, Bath, Bristol.
Check out Frome. That might suit and not a bad commute in to London. They've now got faster trains from Bristol to London which go through Bath too.