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Original poster

NEED TO MOVE!!

22 replies

FNMum · 14/02/2025 09:28

HELP!? We are a family of 4, 30,28,7,5 we currently live in the south east. Like most at the moment find it difficult to get by month to month. And really are looking for a change of area to somewhere “better”. We want somewhere safer for the kids to grow up. Albeit I know every place has bad areas I also want something affordable. We haven’t yet sold our home as we are still unsure where we would like to be.

I was hoping I could use you fantastic people to give me an honest idea if you think the area in which you live is affordable and nice,

the wants: lots of green areas, the house to be a minimum of 3 bedroom, driveway, semi detached minimum, large garden & an office space. Budget is limited to £425,000.

hopefully you can help me with either an approximate area which is nice or of course tell me areas in which to avoid.

i have been looking Norfolk, Cambridge area but am completely open as I’ve never really ventured around the country too much.

thanks in advance!😃

OP posts:
TheNoonBell · 14/02/2025 11:12

Might be worth going on some weekend breaks or day trips around the country to see what you like. We did that for a few years and slowly narrowed down areas we liked.

For example in the west midlands you get a lot for your money, £425k would easily get a 4 bed detached.

Do you want to be rural, village, town, city?

cestlavielife · 14/02/2025 11:13

What are your jobs and where will you get new jobs?

Original poster
FNMum · 14/02/2025 12:43

TheNoonBell · 14/02/2025 11:12

Might be worth going on some weekend breaks or day trips around the country to see what you like. We did that for a few years and slowly narrowed down areas we liked.

For example in the west midlands you get a lot for your money, £425k would easily get a 4 bed detached.

Do you want to be rural, village, town, city?

Hi somewhere rural with few neighbours don’t want to be completely in the sticks to be honest! Yes we thought this but don’t know where to start so overwhelming just know we want a change!

OP posts:
Original poster
FNMum · 14/02/2025 12:43

cestlavielife · 14/02/2025 11:13

What are your jobs and where will you get new jobs?

Hi jobs aren’t the concern for us as my work from home is flexible and partner can transfer across country no issue it’s more finding the best place

OP posts:
QforCucumber · 14/02/2025 12:51

You could get a LOT for your money in parts of the North East for that,

There's a couple of kids in Ds1 class who's parents moved up here around 9 years ago as they could buy houses rather than renting flats in the area of the SE they were in, it definitely depends on how reliant you are on family helpetc though.

Original poster
FNMum · 14/02/2025 13:06

QforCucumber · 14/02/2025 12:51

You could get a LOT for your money in parts of the North East for that,

There's a couple of kids in Ds1 class who's parents moved up here around 9 years ago as they could buy houses rather than renting flats in the area of the SE they were in, it definitely depends on how reliant you are on family helpetc though.

Thank you, the ideal is to be better off and spend closer to £300-£325 but don’t want to limit ourselves if somewhere was a great area! Maybe north east is to far I think 3/4 hours away from ldn would be furthest

OP posts:
Bluevelvetsofa · 14/02/2025 14:51

East or West Sussex. Coast, South Downs, plenty of small villages, but larger towns, transport links to London, Brighton, Southampton.

Pemba · 14/02/2025 15:11

The East Midlands is very affordable, more so than West Midlands in general.

For £425 you could definitely get a very decent 4 bed modern detached in Market Harborough, South Leicestershire, which is well thought of. A lot of people commute to London from there I believe. Also Northamptonshire, which is even closer to London. The town of Corby is not so nice I think. I don't know anything against Northampton itself, and there are lots of nice villages.

Brightredtulips · 14/02/2025 15:35

Scotland

XVGN · 14/02/2025 17:35

Brightredtulips · 14/02/2025 15:35

Scotland

^ This. Type Caithness into RM and test your tolerance for wide open green spaces and sea views.

Brightredtulips · 14/02/2025 17:46

XVGN · 14/02/2025 17:35

^ This. Type Caithness into RM and test your tolerance for wide open green spaces and sea views.

Show quote history

Gosh, I've just looked and now besotted by the one in Ormlie road Thurso.

LeedsDweller · 14/02/2025 17:51

When you say 3/4 hours from London do you mean by car, because direct trains from Leeds to London Kings Cross take 2hr 15- 2hr 30.

Spanglemum02 · 14/02/2025 18:10

South Wales. Though some areas of the Valleys are very deprived. I did a.lot of research on Rightmove, reading Estyn (Welsh ofsted) reports for schools in areas I was looking at.

Pinkdreams · 14/02/2025 18:11

Have you thought about Milton Keynes/bedford?

Original poster
FNMum · 14/02/2025 20:35

LeedsDweller · 14/02/2025 17:51

When you say 3/4 hours from London do you mean by car, because direct trains from Leeds to London Kings Cross take 2hr 15- 2hr 30.

By car yes sorry I don’t need to commute to London just have family in south east and towards coast

OP posts:
Isanyonereallyanonymous · 14/02/2025 21:40

I would vote for Lincoln or surrounding villages in the Wolds (Metheringham or Louth would be my main suggestions) where your budget would be more than sufficient.

Original poster
FNMum · 15/02/2025 09:03

Isanyonereallyanonymous · 14/02/2025 21:40

I would vote for Lincoln or surrounding villages in the Wolds (Metheringham or Louth would be my main suggestions) where your budget would be more than sufficient.

Thank you. It looks reasonably priced there to be honest just I guess will need to check out the area as I never heard of it haha :)

OP posts:
ChristmasPudd1990 · 15/02/2025 10:47

You'd get something lovely in Derbyshire.

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