A "where should I move to" thread

[SoSoPredictable]

In 18 months, I will move back to the UK after 17 years abroad and will be newly divorced, so I'm starting to play the "what will my life look like" game.

The bulk of my friends are in West London, my family is in Yorkshire and Scotland, and my kids are at University in the North of England (the oldest is already there, and the youngest is aiming to join them when we move back). I'll be selling a flat in London - too big, with a high service charge - so I could either rebuy in London, which appeals due to existing friendships and the local culture/stuff to do, as well as possibly kids being attracted to come down to visit. Or I could move somewhere else entirely.

I like walks and nature, but don't need it every day. I like to be able to walk out, grab coffee, people watch, and mooch about. Access to theatre, galleries, etc is important to me as is being able to find communities and people to connect with. Friends are scattered - either old ones from the UK or expat friends moved home - so good transport matters a lot, including an airport within easy reach.

I'll need three beds and would like some outdoor space, but if a garden then one that requires low maintenance. I've lived in flats for most of my time abroad, so I have no problem staying in one, especially as I'd quite like one move and done.

So where shall I live? Thanks

If you can afford London, then London for proximity to friends, access to cultural stuff, and transport links.

what fun!
do you have a budget in mind?

I think if you could narrow your search to north/south, east/west and then consider do you want town/country/seaside?

do you have elderly relatives you either want or might need to take care of, in which case consider moving close to them.

personally I’ve always wanted to be by the sea.

you sound pretty cosmopolitan.

im wondering if north Edinburgh or Brighton/south coast might tick your boxes. Or stick with a leafy bit of London?

good luck.

So conscious of "rich folk problems" and all that, in London I could probably hit about 1m, but if I moved elsewhere, then I would free up capital, which of course, as a late 50s divorcee, is something to think about seriously. Edinburgh definitely calls. I lived in Scotland for a long time before marriage and kids, but equally, I've spent a long time moving to new countries and building a new set of friends. There is some appeal in sticking with London, where I know people already.

Family, including elderly parents, are all pretty much up the East Coast rail line, so anywhere from Edinburgh down to London works for access. And of course with Uni aged kids there's no real idea of where they might eventually settle.

I have to admit I love the idea of the sea too or indeed a loch side - but I also know I'm a bit raw from the separation and I'll need people more than space.

York may suit you? Historical town, has a theatre, within reach of the coast, etc , or somewhere near there.

I’d also stay in London. In fact as you have a lot to do I am not sure why you’re not just moving back to the flat you already own while you do your research. Service charge might be high but worth paying to avoid spending money on a mistake.
Then start looking around W London. Richmond Borough could be perfect. A 2 bed town house with small outside space and near parks should be manageable on your budget. Somewhere like St Margarets. Then you have the walks and people and theatres you want.

Thanks, yes, the plan would be to move back into the existing flat initially, but I know it's not a forever place. I'm just trying to plan a bit for a future that I know is coming but not yet here. St Margaret's definitely a good call.

What about Manchester? Largish city, plenty of culture and things to do, excellent airport, leafy areas and national parks nearby, good links to both Yorkshire and london. You'd easily buy a decent property and free up a lot of capital for yourself. Maybe even an extra property to rent out to earn some income.

Manchester and York both great calls - I know them both a little bit. York location works well especially as I have some family in the surrounding areas but I worry its become a bit of a weekend break city? Manchester is a good call but I know no one there so it does feel a bit like a completely blank sheet of paper - who knows if thats a good thing or not?

Leeds? That budget would get you a lovely house in a leafy area. In my opinion culture in Leeds is far superior to York, as it has great theatres, is the base for Northern Ballet and Opera North, has an excellent live music scene, many free galleries and museums, and it's not subjected to the "tourist tax" prices of York. Also very close to nature (and more wild than that surrounding York).

I'd definitely consider Leeds, York or somewhere in between. More for your money than London or Edinburgh, but both are 2-3 hours away on the fast rail line.

Access to a few airports across northern England, admittedly don't have the range of flights that Heathrow does, but a decent choice from Manchester at least.

Easy access to the Yorkshire Dales, Wolds, NY Moors, Peak District and south Pennines. Loads of culture in Leeds and York, plus city and country parks, Yorkshire Sculpture Park etc. East coast not much than an hour away so an easy day trip or you can always go for weekend breaks if you're generally free of commitments so can do as you please.

Cheeky option, but you have the budget - could you buy a nice 2-3 bed place in Manchester / Edinburgh for £500k, and also have a 1-2 bed pied a terre in London for £500k?

I'm loving the cheeky option there! Leeds actually maybe a better option than York and I had forgotten how much culture is based there. Thank you - any areas specifically in Leeds to look at ?

I think I’d go small flat in London to be your base, near friends and stuff to do, possibly a holiday home /cottage somewhere near the sea/a loch if that appeals to you? You could always holiday let it for extra income.

my priority would be near friends.

Who is going to mind your parents as they age? Never underestimate the value of not being hours away.

I’m not saying you need to live on the doorstep but if you are The One and you are willing to be, that would be my first consideration. Have a look on the Elderly Parents board at all the women stressed out of their minds.

However, if your parents are willing to move themselves to be near you in a location convenient to your children, that would be the best of all worlds. Might you suggest this to them?

One parent is no longer with us, and the other is based in Yorkshire, practically next door to siblings and a handful of grown-up grandchildren; she'll never move! At the moment, she comes to live abroad with us for the winter and then heads back to the UK for the spring and summer. Obviously, that will change over time. There is space where she lives for one or more of us to stay as needed as well as family with space very nearby, so as long as I have good access to transport back to Yorkshire, it's manageable between what is a quite large family. We're very lucky in that regard.

My kids - well one's a wanderer who has embraced a third culture life so despite where he is at Uni, I know he will end up somewhere else and probably many somewhere elses over time. The other is more likely to put roots so whichever Uni she picks will be a big factor in any final decision - or it may be the reality is a longer than planned stay in the London flat til she finishes Uni and then see what happens.

So much of what is happening at the moment is based on other people's needs so this is just a bit of a day dream based on what I would like, IYSWIM

I was also coming to suggest Leeds. I lived there for a time. York is also easy access on the train for a day out. Harrogate also.

Do you drive op? The only thing I remember about Leeds was that the bus service can be hit and miss, especially on Sundays.

I’m not massively up to date with all the areas but Roundhay always seems popular as one of the nicer areas, and has Roundhay park.

One of the things I'm most excited about moving back to the UK is driving - we live without a car at the moment and I do miss it!

York is lovely (I live there) and it's great for being walkable, for community, for food and drink and for punching above its weight in terms of culture, and it's got transport links for London, Leeds, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Manchester. But it is also small and definitely feels very provincial compared to London. My dad lives in London and there is so, so much more going on near him than near me.

If you don't go City Centre then North Leeds is generally better than South
Also consider Harrogate, Ilkley and Otley