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Original poster

Where should I live?

82 replies

droif · 14/12/2025 14:36

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

OP posts:
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Spidey66 · 14/12/2025 19:01

Have you considered Frome in Somerset? I moved here a year ago from London, and I'm a similar age. It's quite arty with a strong community feel.

Wrt to work, there's a number of schools nearby. Frome's schools are first, middle and secondary. I think there's about 12 first schools, 2 middle schools and a secondary. I think first schools are 5-9, middles 9-13 and secondary 13-18. Alternatively there are are other towns nearby you could work in, Bath, Trowbridge, warminster, Westbury etc.

It's about 40 mins to Bath and just over an hour or so to Bristol.

TemporarilyCantDoMyself · 14/12/2025 19:47

Looking on Rightmove now @droif , there's not a lot on the market in Southville or nearby at the mo (before Xmas I guess) or nearby and a lot seem to be end of terraces, which I think are less popular because that bit more vulnerable.
I think there'll be a whole new tranche of stuff coming on after Xmas.

TemporarilyCantDoMyself · 14/12/2025 20:23

How much of a garden do you want? If the answer is not much, this might be worth looking at, just south of Southville and near Parsons Street Station so good connectivity.
It's a terrace though.
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/168787253#/?channel=RES_BUY

Check out this 3 bedroom terraced house for sale on Rightmove

3 bedroom terraced house for sale in Old Pump House Close, Bedminster Down, BS13 for £450,000. Marketed by Boardwalk, covering Bristol and surrounding areas

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/168787253#/?channel=RES_BUY

cotswoldsgal1234 · 14/12/2025 20:37

FuzzyWolf · 14/12/2025 15:09

Bath is nice.

You won’t get anything half decent for 475k

TeenLifeMum · 14/12/2025 20:50

I’d move west (and did but that was 21 years ago) we’re south east of Bath (an hour away) but lots of lovely options. I love the Dorset coast so we went lower than Bath while still being able to get there (or to Exeter which I also love).

I’m always fascinated by mn love of Folkestone. I grew up there and couldn’t wait to get away. We visit family in Hythe ands occasionally pop into Folkestone and it’s pretty rough. Each to their own I guess. There’s lovely parts - the leas, harbour arm… struggling to think of more. Canterbury is lovely with gorgeous villages and a great theatre.

Florencesndzebedee · 14/12/2025 20:51

Why not move a bit further out into zone 4?

Arlanymor · 14/12/2025 21:47

droif · 14/12/2025 17:05

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

Show quote history

Ooh great minds - it's a sign! Happy house hunting! 😀

dotdotdotdash · 14/12/2025 21:56

I was talking about this with my friends and my Yorkshire loving friends recommended Skilton, Todmorden, Hebden Bridge and Scarborough. Stroud (Cotswolds) also has a Brockleyish vibe!

dotdotdotdash · 14/12/2025 21:56

*Skipton not Skilton

SnowFrogJelly · 14/12/2025 22:49

How about Frome.. everyone is moving there

Original poster
droif · 14/12/2025 23:10

I do like Frome, but a long-term ex lives there now with his family, so it would be too weird!
I'm not sure about the small town thing, it's one negative about Whitstable, which is a similar size to Frome.

OP posts:
Original poster
droif · 14/12/2025 23:11

Florencesndzebedee · 14/12/2025 20:57

I have thought about this as an option. That's a good house for the price!

OP posts:
Original poster
droif · 14/12/2025 23:15

dotdotdotdash · 14/12/2025 21:56

I was talking about this with my friends and my Yorkshire loving friends recommended Skilton, Todmorden, Hebden Bridge and Scarborough. Stroud (Cotswolds) also has a Brockleyish vibe!

Thank you! I will research those areas. I've also heard that Todmordon is a good place to live.
My accent is so London though, I'd worry I'd stand out too much up north. So this puts me off a bit, although I wouldn't rule out completely. I've considered York.

OP posts:
Original poster
droif · 14/12/2025 23:19

TemporarilyCantDoMyself · 14/12/2025 20:23

How much of a garden do you want? If the answer is not much, this might be worth looking at, just south of Southville and near Parsons Street Station so good connectivity.
It's a terrace though.
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/168787253#/?channel=RES_BUY

This is lovely! I've always fancied a new build, and that one looks great quality. I'm used to small gardens, as long as there's a place to sit in the sun, I'm happy.
I will save this property

OP posts:
Ohpleeeease · 14/12/2025 23:35

Bath is not an easy place to make friends. I wouldn’t recommend it as a place to come to alone.
Bristol is very popular with Londoners and the property prices reflect that. It’s a diverse city with lots to do. Prepare for the weather though, perpetual drizzle in Brizzle!

Ohpleeeease · 14/12/2025 23:37

droif · 14/12/2025 23:10

I do like Frome, but a long-term ex lives there now with his family, so it would be too weird!
I'm not sure about the small town thing, it's one negative about Whitstable, which is a similar size to Frome.

Frome is catching the Bruton wave, could be a good investment if you got in soon. I’m sure you could dodge the ex, it’s not that small!

Crikeyalmighty · 14/12/2025 23:39

TeenLifeMum · 14/12/2025 20:50

I’d move west (and did but that was 21 years ago) we’re south east of Bath (an hour away) but lots of lovely options. I love the Dorset coast so we went lower than Bath while still being able to get there (or to Exeter which I also love).

I’m always fascinated by mn love of Folkestone. I grew up there and couldn’t wait to get away. We visit family in Hythe ands occasionally pop into Folkestone and it’s pretty rough. Each to their own I guess. There’s lovely parts - the leas, harbour arm… struggling to think of more. Canterbury is lovely with gorgeous villages and a great theatre.

I personally feel like that about most of Bristol - including Southville - we did 15 months there and moved to Bath - maybe Bristol will suit OP- for me it was mainly grubby and all a bit if you were not vegan or cycled everywhere you just didn’t fit in - my H is originally from there too . If you want that vibe I would consider checking out Frome, cheaper than Bristol and fairly quick into Bath - my FIL moved there at 86 and is enjoying it - we lived in Canterbury for 8 years- much preferred it to Bristol , but its a totally different thing as it’s a very small compact city

Crikeyalmighty · 14/12/2025 23:49

Ohpleeeease · 14/12/2025 23:35

Bath is not an easy place to make friends. I wouldn’t recommend it as a place to come to alone.
Bristol is very popular with Londoners and the property prices reflect that. It’s a diverse city with lots to do. Prepare for the weather though, perpetual drizzle in Brizzle!

I found totally the opposite - but OP may be different from me, so it’s a really individual thing -

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