Wanting to move rural but somewhere vibrant — doable?

[esgill]

I grew up in a small artsy town in Dorset which I detested by the time I was a teenager — I dreamed of London and places where things were happening and I went there and then Edinburgh. Now it’s too expensive with a 17 month old and also I do remember some of the better sides of my childhood: making dens in the woods, swimming in the sea, feeling safe, a relatively decent state school, natural beauty etc.

We are looking for something and I’m not sure it exists:

-somewhere with natural beauty and nice architecture.
-somewhere vibrant — an essence of London, Edinburgh or big capitals in outlook and eateries etc
-community vibe
-affordable housing
-train links (I can’t drive — I have epilepsy). —ultimately, somewhere that doesn’t feel like the end of the road/a place you go to die. I feel very sensitive about this from my own upbringing.

any suggestions?

I lived in Winchester for 3 years and live within 15 miles of it now, it's not cheap at all and I wouldn't say vibrant or community minded either. It can be difficult to get to know anyone there.

Bath is great but not cheap either.

Not sure you're going to find much from your list OP

Unud is full of tourists and rabid dogs that chase you!
Rural it is not.

Christchurch

Holmfirth
Hebden Bridge
Pocklington

Skipton. Yorkshire Dales and Leeds

Sheffield is an amazingly vibrant very green city and you're so close to the beautiful peak district!

You won't get that buzzy vibe with rural, it's an oxymoron.

You could try south coast, so you have the sea and the South Downs? Big towns like Chichester, Worthing, Hastings?

Swanage?
I know you mentioned Dorset in your OP but I think it sounds ideal. The town is quirky and 'trendy' with all the surf shops, cafes and social scene. There's the Beach and picturesque scenery but in just a few minutes drive the housing is relatively rural.

Of the big cities, Sheffield is one of the greener ones. On the west side near the Peak District, it is built on hills. The valleys are green corridors. Lots of places to live where you can bus to the city centre and also walk out to the Peak District.

Bury St. Edmunds? I'm 10 mins outside in a field. It's beautiful here. The town is very family friendly with lots of events for families. Train links, we're not too far from some beautiful seaside towns, historic towns like Lavenham, Long Melford etc. Very safe.

Bruton is tiny! Or it was when I was last there 20 years ago…

Vibrant and rural do not go together.

You might like parts of Newcastle - possibly Tynemouth? In the coast and there is a beach but Newcastle has things happening.

I was going to suggest Stroud too.

Cheltenham - has beautiful architecture, good rail links, beautiful countryside surrounding it, excellent schools, has literature, music, science festivals.

It’s not vibrant or community minded at all.

From where in Norfolk are you getting to London in an hour?!

Placemarking for the good rural suggestions with decent transport.

Yep. Some really lovely parts of Sheffield with a fab community feel, loads going on and really easy to get a bus to the peak district, plus loads of great parks.

Gower or suburb of Swansea - 55 mins to Cardiff on Swansea intercity. Beaches etc Good Arts scene

Aberystwyth

Frome?

Another vote for Bruton - world class gallery with lots of events, good yoga and pilates classes plus Babington House nearby for additional exercise. Direct trains to Bristol, change at Castle Cary for fast trains to London. Proper sourdough and good small plates restaurants. Is the only place I've ever been outside of a city that has any of the benefits of a city really.

Some of the bits on the outskirts of Leeds. Saltaire has been mentioned but also Rawdon, Yeadon, Guisely, Baildon. Ilkley probably out of budget but Otley could work. No train though.

I don’t know how you’re getting from Norfolk to London in an hour but I’d like to know. Even the fast train from Norwich itself can take nearly two hours, anywhere beyond Norwich, much much longer.

Lewes, Tunbridge Wells, Canterbury?