Ideas on where to live

[CherryBlossomPie]

I have the opportunity to move house in a couple of years. Single no kids, 45 this year.

I'm torn between the balance of cheaper property versus living somewhere that has lots going on. I'd like to have beautiful free green space within walking distance as well as a gym and supermarket and some kind of arts scene and decent local economy, and need to be 1.5 hours to London. I'd also like a cat so needs to be a ground floor. As a minimum a small space I can sit in the sun outside. 1hr 20 drive to a nice sandy beach. Cultural diversity is a plus as I grew up somewhere that is fairly representative of diversity in the UK.

Ideal budget 230k
But happy to go lower, max would be 280k.

I guess the big question is about size - do I pick a smaller property for the location? Is it all about location?

It isn’t all about location, but it sounds as though location, specifically having a vibrant community with things to do is more central to your lifestyle as a single childfree person than a house with lots of space - so it would make sense to concentrate in the former. DH and I opted for location and a small house, but with a layout which means we have an amazing garden and a large dining space for the occasions we do host friends. Beyond that, extra space would really just be wasted.

We have friends who recently moved to both Salisbury and Canterbury from London and really like both. They’re large enough to have characters of their own rather than just being London commuter towns, and just distant enough from London not to be incredibly expensive.

Thanks that's quite helpful. I think it's going to be really hard to get garden plus large dining space and location for my budget.

Flat wise, newbuilds tend not to have much outdoor space at my budget, possibly a juliette or small balcony, or open onto communal garden (which isn't really ideal for entertaining). Character flats are a mixed bag - some have tiny living rooms opening onto larger patios or even small gardens. Or a large living room but an incredibly boxy feel, only leading onto a tiny concrete space-some do have balconies but character houses are also often quite bunched together so the balcony doesn't feel very private unless it's at the top of the building but then I can't have a cat.

So I think deciding whether the dining area or the outside space is more important will help.

I'd say small character flat with larger outside space, but will probably become clearer when I look!

How about Camberley? I've never been but a friend moved there recently and loves it. Lots of walks for her dogs, not to bad to get into London and 1hr20 to the seaside. I saw a 3 bed ground floor flat with private garden for £259k.

You know I think South London might be worth a look again yes.

I originally bought outside London as couldn't afford it, but my wages and equity have gone up, so maybe somewhere green in the suburbs could be an option.

Check out Marlborough. 1h 5m from Pewsey station to London. These folks might do you a deal?

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/150892193#/media?activePlan=1&id=media1&channel=RES_BUY

Worthing, or nearby - close to Brighton for tge bright lights

Canterbury , or other Kent towns and villages, lots of coastal towns to choose from.

Walton on Naze -