Where should I live?

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I live in SE London Zone 2/3 and have all my life. I am increasingly struggling to pay the mortgage on my Victorian terrace and really need to be mortgage free.

I want to live somewhere with a good inclusive vibe, similar to here in Brockley.
I need a 3 bedroom house, would absolutely love a detached, but know that could be difficult on my budget of £475k.

Areas I've considered are Faversham, Canterbury, Whitstable, Bath, Bristol. I don't need to worry about schools as children are older at uni. I'm 51.

I'm single, so want to be in a nice community where I can make friends and build a life. I work in education, and in my field, it shouldn't be too difficult to find a job.

Any suggestions would be very welcomed. Thank you

I’m in South East London and i’m heading to the north west in the summer when youngest dc leaves 6th form

Bath is nice.

Where abouts in the NW? Will you know people there?
I'm nervous about living so far away.

It is really lovely, but expensive, sadly.

Meets your budget and lovely town between Leeds and York. www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/167952974#/?channel=RES_BUY

I have friends in whitstable who love it, moved from london and have made lots of friends there. Not too far away!

Folkestone? Lots have moved down from London. You’ll get more house for your money than in Canterbury or Whitstable and the train to London is slightly quicker… Careful with the education thing though- schools in London can be rather different to schools in Kent, for all sorts of reasons.

Bristol definitely. Lovely buzzing sociable city and you shouldn't have any problem finding a good house for that budget. We've just moved into a 3 bed semi in a nice area for 420.
Just going out otherwise I'd have a look for you.

Yes I did consider Folkestone, as I have heard that a lot of Londoners are relocating there. I'm just worried it will feel a bit gritty still. I think maybe Sandgate is nicer?

Bristol does fit the bill and it does feel like home there.
I've visited the area quite a lot, but have no idea which areas are decent and ones to avoid. I'd want to be walking distance to the centre. Any advice would be appreciated! Thank you

Whitstable and Folkestone for sure! Easy to stay in touch with people in se London. Go and have a look at what you can get

Herne Bay is cheaper than Whitstable. Birchington is better than Margate. Deal is nice but not sure how much house you will get for your money in the centre.

I love it there, and it's only an hour drive from here. Properties are quite limited though.. the small workers cottages near to town, and then the detached bungalows further out of town. Do your friends live near the centre of town?

From a brief Rightmove search you can afford Totterdown and Southville in Bristol, which are some of the most desirable middle-class yet bohemian areas - definitely take a look there. You’d probably also like St George which is cheaper, but it’s a bit further out

My friends live in Canterbury - I think it's lovely. Somewhere like this could fit the bill perhaps? https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/168619631#/?channel=RESBUY

And here's a useful resource on what the city has to offer: https://www.choosecanterbury.co.uk/live/

Yep that's right. Totterdown and South Southville walkable to town too, but well served with buses.
Don't think you'll get detached in Totterdown though the houses are mostly packed in like sardines. Southville is a good shout, lovely area (I lived there years ago when it was more up and coming. It's well and truly up and came now! 😂)

What size are you looking for?

Not south Southville, just Southville ffs. Sorry!

Southville sounds perfect! Thank you! I'm off to do some rightmove research!!

Just a small house, around 800-1000 square feet will do

I was looking at this very house on rightmove this morning! Thank you for the link, great info

I like the sound of Southville, and it's so near the centre. I don't think I'd even need a car, which would be great.

"Nervous about living so far away"... From what? Or who?

If you want to be near-ish to family/friends:

• what area are they in, and
• what's your maximum travel distance from there?

Are you looking for urban or countryside? My village is a long way from urban but we have a varied populace in terms of race and religion, and pretty good amenities too, which might be enough for your "inclusive vibe".

A budget of £475k for a 3 bed really isn’t a problem across vast swathes of the south. I’m looking for something cheaper and I’m seeing plenty of nice, often detached houses crop up across Berkshire, Wiltshire, Somerset etc.

I guess it all depends on what you’ll accept of an inclusive community. As an ex Brockley resident, I’m not sure you’ll find that kind of vibe in most places, but that’s not to mean they will be hostile either.

Winchester? Devizes? Newbury? Salisbury?

Your budget would be sufficient for your needs in any of these towns, which all have nice communities and lovely countryside.