29F, family all dead/estranged, suggest me a place in the UK for a new start

[BubbleLily]

I’m looking for a new start after a difficult few years with bereavement and family estrangement. I’ve only ever lived in two places in my life so I have very few points of reference to go by!

I’m 29, single, no children, not in touch with any family/relatives, friends scattered across the UK. I work from home full-time and have excellent job security, so I could go pretty much anywhere.

I would be renting initially but am in a good position to buy once I’ve found an area I like enough.

I’m looking for somewhere that’s young, dynamic, left-wing and open minded. Somewhere that’s friendly and not too difficult for a transplant like me to make new friends in. I’d ideally like for the flat itself to be somewhere with cafes, parks etc within easy reach, somewhere with a bit of a buzz around it without being too loud at night.

On paper, Bristol and Brighton/Hove seem like a good fit, although I’ve never visited either. I also want to live alone, which rules out London as that’s too expensive on my current salary - but I think I could manage in any other city.

Southsea is a lovely suburb of Portsmouth. It’s on the south coast so the weather is great, plenty of independent restaurants and New Forest a short drive away. Lots of the local academics live there and it has a nice, relaxed vibe. You can pick up gorgeous apartments for about £250£-£350k. Something like this:

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/162660926

OP I can confirm this to be very true 😊. Also both my DD's now live away from home, one in Hove and one in Bristol! As many have said both areas really fun, vibrant, lots going on and very friendly. Good luck with your search 😊

Liverpool (around Aigburth & Sefton Park) or Glasgow (West End).

I came on to say Sheffield and see a few people have beaten me to it. Lovely place, friendly people, good transport links, lots of green spaces which having a city vibe. Also get close to walks in the Peak District and very affordable.

Been going to quite a few uni open days andd cities that would suit (also ones i would like to live in!) you would be Leeds, Sheffield, Bristol, Cardiff and Brighton.

Edinburgh would be my preference so long as you don't mind it getting cold. It has everything, nice shops/theatres/a beach/a mountain. Particularly lively comedy season and at NY but bustling all year round. Also it has good travel links.

Bristol is also nice, especially around Clifton. Bath is lovely but I wouldn't describe it as lively.

If budget allows you could airbnb for a while in a series of different places for a month or so at a time as it is hard to get a feel for a place until you are living and working there.

Agree with this - given you WFH you don't even have to take leave. Get a cheap train ticket, take your laptop and get an air bnb for a week or so in a few different cities, you can have the evenings and weekend to wander round and get a feel for two or three different cities before making the move.

Renting a flat yourself (rather than a room/houseshare) is such a faff in terms of firstly even trying to get somewhere (I live in 1 of the cities already mentioned and loads of people compete just for viewings for anywhere halfway decent and affordable), then setting up internet, changing all your bills etc. Only to maybe find you don't like that city at all but being tied in to a minimum 6 month contract.

Where do you live now? There can be a surprisingly dramatic difference in terms of daylight hours, amount of rain, average temperature etc. from one end of the UK to another

I lived in Strathbungo and Shawlands in the 80s (I am old !)
Some beautiful flats , huge rooms with high ceilings .
Quick trip along the Pollockshaws Road ( IIRC) into town - Glasgow has changed a lot , the pubs DH and I went to have closed and now betting shops or Tesco/Sainsbury Metro .
Worth a look .

My DD moved to Bristol after 20 years in London (which she loved, after a rural upbringing she was never quite at home in) and she is so happy there.

It's definitely diverse, open-minded and left-wing, as you ask. It's also very beautiful, what with the harbourside area in the centre of the city for a view of the water, and Clifton and the Bridge not far away.

Independent shops and cafés abound. It has a really buzzy cultural feel - this is important to DD, who loves experimental, immersive theatre, and there are some new venues springing up.

Also, lovely parks, lots of history. Good shops, either the mainstream ones in the centre or independent (Gloucester Road.)

Only caveats: public transport is nowhere near as good as London, though they do have reasonable buses and a good train hub; renting is not cheap, and while I'd say it was pretty safe as cities go, anti-social behaviour has increased (DD had her car vandalised recently, but her flat has no dedicated parking area so it was on a nearby street.)

Would definitely recommend Leeds, Sheffield & Hebden Bridge based on your list there.

Another recommendation for Brighton, or Lewes. I absolutely love Lewes, it's arty and lefty and very pretty.

Another vote for Cardiff, would also suggest Bristol/Bath or Manchester.

I was in Clevedon on Saturday - seaside town outside Bristol, its very nice and I had a girlfriend who lived there.

Close to the Motorway & railway.

Pier is lovely

Or Abergavenny?

Bristol
York
Norwich
Sheffield
Newcastle u Tyne
Brighton

That looks like a list of universities! So maybe consider university towns and cities, but they won't have the cheapest rental markets. They will have diverse populations and buzzy culture though.

There's not enough going on in Abergavenny imho . I have lived here for 40 years and it's a lovely family orientated town but not ideal for single young people . It's also really expensive to buy a home here . Both my daughters have moved to Cardiff for the lifestyle and house prices .

Yes I would say Abergavenny is lovely but too quiet for what the OP is looking for.

@BubbleLily I've lived in a number of different areas of the uk and if I was 30 and single I would move back to the North east in a heartbeat. People really are so friendly and there's a strong sense of community and support I've rarely found elsewhere that made making friends an almost easy experience as an introvert. As a rule I'd say newcastle and durham are as safe as it gets for cities.

I'd rent in a vibrant part of Newcastle on the metroline initially e.g. jesmond or Heaton. A flat around Ouseburn or onto the Quayside would also work. If I was buying I'd look at Tynemouth and surrounding areas, beautifl beach on your doorstep, metro into Toon and a vibrant independent town centre.

I'd second Bristol and Norwich recommended by other posters. Staying in air bnbs to get a feel for these areas sounds like a fabulous idea.

Sorry for your losses. That's tricky at a younger age.

I'd suggest Norwich : small but very friendly city. Good mix of different people. Lots of things to see and do. You've got the perfect mix of being in a city but having beaches and countryside also within arms reach. I'm not left wing: I'm centre. But Norwich is a university city and there's plenty of left wing people within it. Low crime too.

Also with Norwich: very cheap compared to other cities

Doesn’t meet the young and dynamic needs but Bridport Dorset is a great place. There are plenty of 30 somethings + arty types around though and I assume quite a few WFH.
A few miles from the sea (Jurassic Coast), lots of cafes, left wing if you find your people but definitely has a good community spirit. Transport links aren’t great but Bristol 1.5 hrs by car and train from Dorchester to Waterloo. I think living close to the sea could certainly reinvigorate you! Hope you find what you need - take the bull by the horns and do it!

Manchester too. My eldest (also 29) went to uni there and stayed till last year, is now moving back in August.
Sorry but I think Brighton is over-rated and not very culturally and socially mixed (I have a sister there).
I’m sorry you’ve had such a tough time lately and wish you well for a new start. FWIW my eldest only moved away to be with someone but they broke up so this is this is their fresh start after months of reflection and thought. Whenever I’ve visited Manchester I’ve found it very friendly and welcoming.

Yes! Agree with this but didn’t know how to put it as politely as you 😂
Team Manchester here.

I'd go for a decent sized city at your age. I also agree with whoever said that there are real differences in light and rainfall throughout the UK. My dad's family were all in Glasgow, so I've spent a lot of time there. It's a brilliant city but I get very miserable in a colder climate.

Cardiff is a good idea I think, lots going on and access to beautiful coast. I'd take your time, go and explore and see where feels right

Come to Swansea, you'll never leave.

Another vote for Norwich. Very left wing, lovely size, lots going on.