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?

@TizerorFizz 11.10pm from Bath but there's always the 11.30 train to Chippenham and a £10 cab - but to be honest Corshams got a fair bit on doorstep - including several excellent gastro pubs , 2 Italians , an excellent pizza place and an Indian and an arts centre that has good gigs and films. It's a great little place with a much bigger attractive place close by for weekends. - my friend lives there but drives in to Bath of an evening for friends nights out . OP could do way worse if she wants best of both worlds- and only 1 hr 11 minutes to London too from Chippenham on train - the other bonus is it's easy to commute to Swindon, Bath or Bristol if needed. She could certainly afford something quite ok in Chippenham itself too as it has masses of new estate rentals , it's an ok place with nice countryside around it , but it doesn't have that ' pretty 'vibe' I think OP is after - great though for supermarkets, retail park, DIY, getting your car MOTd etc

Do you want to stay in Scotland? Dunkeld or Aberfeldy? North Berwick?

Tynemouth is great, but £££’s .

@HhalloNine To buy, it’s way cheaper than where I live! It’s all relative. Don’t know about renting.

I've posted a link above with rents in Tynemouth.

It isn't relative in this case as the OP said rental if about £1200. Tynemouth is likely too expensive for the OP, unless she is happy with a flat.

@TizerorFizz I think people forget that the buying market is often very different to rentals which is much more about supply and demand - so some quite cheap areas to buy can be quite expensive to rent if there is very little available but a lot of people after the same 6 places etc. for instance a posh area of Manchester say Didsbury is as much as here in Bath -because a ton of people after not too many places- whereas if buying it's cheaper than Bath

Leamington Spa is lovely. Has a Brighton vibe and close to Warwick and Stratford upon Avon

Yes not much available in terms of small houses to rent in Tynemouth. Of course the sort of place the op wants is popular with everyone else too. I agree it’s about supply and demand.

What is it like in terms of community and things to do?

Couple of nice options here OP in lovely Belper- Derbyshire- Peak District so beautiful countryside on doorstep and an upmarket small town with the kind of vibe I feel you are looking for

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/158559539

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/155859734

I remember chatting (for want of a better word!) with you previously about your fil moving here!

Anyone mentioned Forest Row in East Sussex?

It's a rural village with a new age vibe, vegan, yoga, loads of community events and a historic centre.

Not sure what the buses are like though.

@Spidey66 ah yes- I remember it now !! He's been in a month - going ok so far

Bath and surrounding

I was looking at that area too. I want somewhere quirky with an alternative vibe.

https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/property-home/article/stroud-town-cotswolds-fzv5m22rp