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?

Stamford

Or even Melton Mowbray if your interpretation of creativity includes food.
Oakham might meet your brief.
St Ives in Cambridgeshire is nice too.

To be fair, what the OP describes is very subjective

Then OP says she finds walking around Highgate stressful when I thought Hackney was more crowded than Highgate. Very confusing.

The high street OP wants is the kind you only get in a really really posh place. Most high streets are on the decline even in naice areas.

some have equated arty with hipster. Lord knows how anyone interprets liberal.

I agree with @LadyFlumpalot

I live in Frome and it's as depressing as hell. Not at all what it is bigged up to be. There's nothing to do here apart from markets, overpriced shops and pottery type activities.
There are so many yobs too, causing grief.
My daughter is bullied at school and nothing is done about it.
We've decided to sell and relocate next year. Probably Bristol.
I'd sick to a city if I was you, small towns like Frome are not anything like London and there is absolutely no diversity at all, everyone is white!

Definitely NOT Melton Mowbray. I can’t think of anywhere further from this brief. Yes, it has a nice independent cinema but it has to be one of the most old-fashioned, least creative places I can think of. I live not a million miles away.

I wonder whether Shrewsbury, Ludlow or Bridgnorth would appeal to you.

I did smile at all the people suggesting Frome and wondered if they’d actually been! 😂

When I read these threads I veer between:

’Are they kidding, it was a dive when I last went there?’

and

’Are they kidding, it’s deeply conservative?’

😂

But perhaps places change!

My honest advice (as someone who previously lived in a very liberal patch of N London) is to consider how liberal and progressive you really want things to be, especially as you and your children get older. Crime and safety is also a factor.

What seems a delightful, free-spirited mix with babies and toddlers - all the wonderful groups and offerings! - might feel quite different with teenagers. Plus you find that you move ‘up’ a generation as younger parents emerge.

Join local Facebook groups and see if you like what you read.

@FlatWhiteExtraHot I go maybe once a month as we live in Bath so its 20 minutes away and they have a great farm shop on the edge! - I personally wouldn't pick it because @LadyFlumpalot has a point and personally I like much better mainstream retail (as well as the nice individual stuff) and I prefer a bigger place- but I often suggest it as I know lots of people seem to want the'pottery,yoga, tarot card, artisan ' kind of vibe - and unlike me are happy with a much more limited range of retail and other stuff on the doorstep -same applies to stroud , Totnes, Lewes too in my opinion - I like all of these for a quick potter - but prefer somewhere a bit bigger myself - it's personal thing though - It May be exactly what OP wants.

Olney

Probably Lewes, East Grinstead is too polluted.

Have you been to Norwich? A bigger version of Lewes and cheaper.

South manchetser but specifically Chorlton, Didsbury or Sale

Agree. Neither Plymouth or St Albans are 'it'.

We have to build the Republic of Heaven where we are 😉

The PP who said you’ll have to prioritise was right. Nowhere ticks all the boxes.

If you have school age children OP why would you not start with schools - determine best area / town for what you need or can afford and take it from there.

Good luck!

@Speaknowfearlessreputation I've lived in lots of places- def think I could point the OP in right direction- but as per my previous post it very much depends on budget- buy or rent and size of place needed/desired.

It's no good me suggesting a nice 4 bed detached here in Bath or Brighton if they have a budget of say £400k or rental of £1500 a month

Our budget is about £900k for a house, could go higher depending on whether it was a “forever home” or not!

And what do you need OP - eg 2/3/4 beds?

Any other must haves for the property like a garden?

Bath, Brighton & Lewes I imagine you would probably struggle to find something with that many bedrooms in a nice area. I know this because we have friends/ family in those areas. Bath particularly is crazy expensive! But I might be wrong & there are plenty of other of places suggested here where you could get a decent sized property.

@Speaknowfearlessreputation here's my picks in Bath- some slightly above £900k, most below, some a lot below- all in nice areas!

I think Bath has exactly what you are after, masses of independent shops but all the big brands as well, good schools, private and state and Forest schools, Montessori, all that kind of stuff- masses of bars, restaurants, comedy club, music venues but really lovely countryside and hills and sheep right on your doorstep . Tons of meet up groups and societies etc, co working hubs, direct train to London 1hr 20 minutes. downsides- expensive housing, a lot of tourists at various times (particularly for next 2 weeks, but it does look gorgeous) moderately heavy traffic round edges, heavy at times , but not in centre which is mainly all pedestrianised. A studenty kind of vibe - personally I like that !
You would get more for money in Bradford on Avon, Frome or stroud but if you want a kind of London lifestyle then Bath fits very well.

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I could never leave London (and prefer to live in the Greater London suburbs).

I have been feeling the same we have a daughter that is nearly 2 and I do not want to work such long hours and leave her so much.

we have been thinking of Glastonbury as it’s a bit hippy which we are and my partner has work not to far from there.

I also work in the creative industry and think I can still work occasionally in London from there.

the only thing that worries me which could be silly is that we are a mixed race family, I have read threads on here that it can be uncomfortable in the West Country. Maybe it’s changed but I would hate that we move somewhere and are not expected in the community. Especially as we have strong community here in London.

does anyone have any insight into the area ? Schools and people.

@Crikeyalmighty. Bradford On Avon was voted a great place to live recently, don't quote me on actual terminology of type of place but it came out top I think

I have been told by several people that Glastonbury has a very odd vibe. Great for a festival, not so great to live in.