Downsizing, what to compromise on?

[trickyex]

I sold our lovely family home last year after nearly 20 years there and am now living in a small rented terrace nearby and looking for my next place - I wasn't able to find anywhere in good time so agreed to break the chain. I am divorced, in my 50s with two sons who are both at uni. I am in a relationship for now but its very low key and we will never live together.

Having been looking at houses for the past 8 months (and having a few things fall through), I am finding it very hard to know what to look for and what to compromise on.
Our family home was a good size Victorian house with big rooms, a lovely sunny garden and off street parking, close to the city and shops etc.
The area I live in has good schools, shops and is close to the city so is very expensive.

It seems my options are to buy a much smaller place around here with a small garden/yard and deal with limited on street permit parking (which I find stressful) or move further out and get more space, parking and a nice garden but remove myself from my local community, where I have friends, can walk to the city and know the shops etc.

I am not wildy sociable but I don't like to feel cut off or isolated either. Work is self employed and a bit variable. I have no family nearby and not a huge network of friends.

Please share your experiences and thoughts.

I also think that the area with amenities, buses etc to be the deciding factor. If they are true friends they will still visit you. Hoping you find the right place. It’s daunting!

I have never had off street parking, so I consider this such a small compromise. You also say the house is in a CPZ, so most of the parking outside your property will be neighbours and other local people.Yes, it is a bit annoying when you come hom with a car full of shopping and there's nowhere to park, but I just double park, unload, then move my car. As for the size of the garden, if it's big enough to enjoy a bit of pottering in, dry laundry and sit out with a coffee, it big enough. Stay local.

Re area @Wafffly yes I am looking at this area. Had wanted GT but its not affordable any more.
More for your money around the areas you mention.
I have my eye on a couple of places that side of town. Thanks.

Yes I meant a decent bus service, GOs, some local decent shops, a cafe, a post office, a pub with food. We are lucky here to have all these and they are only in the next street to me.