Please help me find a city - not an easy one

[icecreambrownrice]

I've been thinking about this for months. I'm indecisive and suffer from acute anxiety. I tend to ruminate and second guess my decisions.

I know no one can objectively say which location is 100% ideal but I'm open to suggestions and recommendations.

I have twin DDs in sixth form, am a single parent. Family in South, not close to them. Currently renting a three bedroom house in a village near Cambridge.

Have saved up a healthy deposit looking to move to a city. I love love love London but I can't afford it, at least not in the SW areas that I want.

DDs will be at different unis, I'm in my 50s, my no.1 priority is location and amenities. I just want a little house with shops and excellent transport links.

Max budget £400k for 2-3bedroom home. I'd be so happy in a cottage-style home with a patio garden.

My criteria:

I need hustle and bustle
I hate living in the suburbs
I need excellent public transport (phobia of driving)
House as close to the bustling city centre as possible

No flats due to leasehold, service fees etc
Multi-cultural - I'm mixed race
Safety is key as I'm alone most of the time.
I commute to Farringdon, London once a month.

I've thought about Nottingham, Manchester, Birmingham, and Reading. I just don't know if they're right for me. Not keen on Liverpool, Bristol, Sheffield, Leeds. I spent most of adult life abroad so I still see these cities as foreign places.

I can't even narrow it down. Help.

Bristol

Reading is a good idea and fits most of your criteria.

Does it need to be one of the really big cities @icecreambrownrice , or would somewhere like Norwich or York appeal? And how far north are you interested in, Newcastle is fab, and house prices are very reasonable compared to further south?

Essex - 3 very different cities to choose from there.

Manchester has the hustle and bustle of a big city and plenty going on, excellent transport links as well. I lived there for a decade after living in London, and I preferred Manchester - much cheaper as well.

Any reason why you don't want to consider Leeds? My DD went to uni there and it's a lovely little city with everything you need.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/140248547#/map?channel=RES_BUY

just in case you're wondering what your budget would buy you up north...

Aylesbury?

I've lived in Nottingham OP and I think it would work for you. Some of the areas just outside the city centre are affordable and nice, and the public transport is good, especially if you look at areas near the tram line.

Glasgow? More affordable and the west end around hyndland road is a lovely area to live.

I'd look round Jesmond / Gosforth area of Newcastle. Anywhere near the Metro and you're 10-15minutes by metro to the main east coast line for your monthly trip to London.
Edinburgh is a very small compact city but with your budget you'd really be looking at a flat to be somewhere central. Some ground floor flats have access to their own garden though and leasehold isn't a thing in Scotland. Morningside / Marchmont / Stockbridge / Portobello areas would probably all suit you 2 bed flat for sale Joppa | 57a Argyle Crescent, Joppa EH15 | ESPC

Norwich is lovely and an easy commute to Farringdon

Does it need to be a big city? If you want a house close to city centre in eg Nottingham, you might find all of the houses in walkable areas to the centre are in pretty scruffy / studenty areas. A smaller city might suit you better as everywhere is walkable.
I'd suggest Worcester - plenty of houses within budget, nice compact city centre with good restaurants etc, direct trains to London and Birmingham, plenty of green spaces and nice walks nearby.
Live in one of the streets off the Tything and you have shops, cafes etc right on your doorstep plus an easy walk into the city centre. I lived there for years and would say its a safe and friendly city to live in.

Cottage style home close to bustling city centre not in suburbs is an odd combo. Also hard to know why you're not keen on Sheffield and Bristol but open to Nottingham and Manchester. Can you say more about what the difference is for you?

It does sound like you want London really so it's a shame you can't compromise on the SW specifically. SE London would surely be less of a shift than starting over in Birmingham for instance. No other city is as big and bustling with great transport for a non driver. Manchester is worth investigating if you're not wedded to the cottagey house v close to the centre. I wondered about Norwich too but I'd rather have a car there, or most places.

Have you considered Cardiff? Or Glasgow? Or must it be in England?

Worcester? Direct train into London.
Cheltenham? Not a city but a great town and again direct train to London.

Norwich is perfect for getting into Farringdon. It regularly tops lists of best cities to live in.

Also, Bath - but I’m not sure how far your budget would stretch.

I second Glasgow! Specifically West End.

Flights from Glasgow to London probably work out a lot cheaper and faster than trains from parts of England!

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/143333909#/?channel=RES_BUY

Sorry you said no flats!

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/143559623#/?channel=RES_BUY

You say you can’t afford to live in SW London areas you like. Which specific areas do you like? It may be people can recommend some more upcoming areas in London which are similar (or say will be soon) that fit the bill.

I just raise caution because I’ve lived all over the U.K. and London is still very unique and I think a lot of the cities suggested above will disappoint you.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/143729303#/?channel=RES_BUY

https://www.zoopla.co.uk/new-homes/details/66011590/?weekly_featured=1&utm_content=featured_listing&search_identifier=7c41c879e096ec7171b26d46f76ad52860843c9e186450e5eab61ef2a785c01b

This ticks all the boxes

Brighton!

Norwich is a fantastic city, would recommend OP.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/86590122#/?channel=RES_BUY

Come and join us here in Bath- great facilities- nice lifestyle- lots of hustle and bustle - fantastic shopping- good train to London - I'm in my early 60s- all the amenities you want plus a very mixed age range and your daughters will enjoy visiting!!

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/140685014

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/141353141#/?channel=RES_BUY

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/86650803#/?channel=RES_BUY

Thanks so much for your replies. I'm new to Mumsnet, I don't know how to respond individually. Hope this is ok?

Yes must be a big city. Nearest city to me is Cambridge. It's lovely as you know, has a compact city centre but it's also missing the gritty city feel, it is safe but also too laid back (for me) and it's as expensive as London. This is why I ruled out York etc.

I worked in Hong Kong (pre handover) for many years so you can imagine what I'm going for! That edgy, city feel. I feel most comfortable in a loud city. I know it's not for everyone but that's just who I am. It's an escape from my unhappy childhood in suburbia. I think I'm still dealing with it.

I've been to Colchester and Chelmsford, I got bad vibes from both places. It's just not for me.

My dds dad lives in near Norwich. I don't want to be near him anymore. Now that the girls are off to uni , I can move further away.

I loved Glasgow and Edinburgh (as a tourist) but it's too far from work (London) and I don't know if I can handle Scottish winter.

Doesn't have to be a cottage, I'm just day-dreaming as I love compact houses.

Newcastle house someone posted is absolutely gorgeous! I don't know Newcastle well enough. Between Sheffield and Leeds. I think Leeds have more going for it... I don't know?!

Please tell me more about Reading, Nottingham or Manchester. If you live in these cities.

Thank you again!