Where in the UK to move to

I live in Stafford which is semi-rural but still a big town. The train station is well connected in that you can get to lots of places direct.

Crewe is well connected too.

I also like Bristol and Hull as everything is pretty close together in their city centres.

It's subjective though as everyone will giving different answers here and it depends on what you're after.
 
ci_newman said:
OP has already stated that they were on a working VISA that they cannot now renew due to their age
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It's a shame as now is a terrible time to buy. Not sure what renting is like, OP may be worth looking at that short term until the market settles.
 
sigma said:
South of France?
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I'd love it for road cycling these days, had a holiday in Guitalens back in 2003, lovely hamlet. But it's not the UK, it's been 19 years since I last practiced my French and our passports have been expired for just over nine years. :eek:

Wales is lovely, my mum moved to North Wales after retiring a few years ago, literally less than five miles from than resort that shall not be named!:cry:

We lived in Wirral in my teens in the 80s and when I first came to Southampton for uni in '92, I had to wear an extra layer when travelling north through autumn and summer, but these days the temps do seem closer than they used to be. However, on balance it still probably rains less down here and the typical winter lows aren't so chilly or prolonged.

I had a brief look at prices around Burnham On Sea after our hol there in '20 and it was surprisingly relatively cheap, good access to Mendips and Quantocks. Not that far from OP's family in Bristol and it has a train station. But housing trends have changed so much since the pandemic started, due to factors like working from home and early retirement.
 
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UTmaniac said:
Location in UK in such a trade off, weather Vs affordability Vs population density. And that's before you consider ties like family and friends etc.
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It really isn't. Being happy with where you are and who with is the most important thing.

I for one love where I live.

30 Minutes from the coast.
Being in the midlands means access to both the south and north is not a huge drive away.
Some of the best weather in the country. (Hottest day in summer was down the road from me).
Lowest population density county in the country whilst also being the second biggest.
Housing is relatively cheap and it is also the agricultural capital of the country so job availability is good for all walks of life.
Ability to retire earlier due to not having a massive mortgage.

I am a petrol head and Cadwell park is only 30 minutes from my house, Donnington park 90 mins and Silverstone just under 2 hours :)

Everyone's needs are different however so find what is best for you.

For myself at least Norfolk, Yorkshire and Cumbria match my Criteria but Cumbria can get a bit nippy at times. Norfolk has beautiful scenery around Thetford etc but getting out can be a bit of a treck.
 
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UTmaniac said:
Location in UK in such a trade off, weather Vs affordability Vs population density. And that's before you consider ties like family and friends etc.
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I sacrificed family for geography!
Must be hard if you have family in an expensive area and want to stay close but don't have means to pay for the housing!


My family live in the east of England. So had to be sacrificed as I just hated it there.
 
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adam cool dude said:
It really isn't. Being happy with where you are and who with is the most important thing.

I for one love where I live.

30 Minutes from the coast.
Being in the midlands means access to both the south and north is not a huge drive away.
Some of the best weather in the country. (Hottest day in summer was down the road from me).
Lowest population density county in the country whilst also being the second biggest.
Housing is relatively cheap and it is also the agricultural capital of the country so job availability is good for all walks of life.
Ability to retire earlier due to not having a massive mortgage.

I am a petrol head and Cadwell park is only 30 minutes from my house, Donnington park 90 mins and Silverstone just under 2 hours :)

Everyone's needs are different however so find what is best for you.

For myself at least Norfolk, Yorkshire and Cumbria match my Criteria but Cumbria can get a bit nippy at times. Norfolk has beautiful scenery around Thetford etc but getting out can be a bit of a treck.
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I couldn't wait to get out of Suffolk. I lived very near Thetford. Less than 15 miles. Most boring place I ever lived. Liked growing up as a kid. But soon as I had transport and adventure hobbies, there was just nothing left for me.

Scenery is just fields too. Endless fields.

It is amazing how different we are. Only place I've spent time in I disliked more than more than Thetford area was the fens.
Now that's a grim place!
 
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413x said:
I sacrificed family for geography!
Must be hard if you have family in an expensive area and want to stay close but don't have means to pay for the housing!


My family live in the east of England. So had to be sacrificed!
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My better half has strong family ties to Southampton, I couldn't even get her to consider moving to far more affordable area around Warminster, which is just 50mins away on the train! Prices here are silly, very little we can afford in less desireable areas, I an see us being stuck in the rental trap until any inheritance comes along, which you never wish for. For the price of typically a grotty area two bed flat here, you can get a house/bungalow with a garden in many areas of Wales. :(
 
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UTmaniac said:
My better half has strong family ties to Southampton, I couldn't even get her to consider moving to far more affordable area around Warminster, which is just 50mins away on the train! Prices here are silly, very little we can afford in less desireable areas, I an see us being stuck in the rental trap until any inheritance comes along, which you never wish for. For the price of typically a grotty area two bed flat here, you can get a house/bungalow with a garden in many areas of Wales. :(
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For sure!
We are in the "Cardiff effect" area so houses aren't ridiculously cheap. But they are cheap.

We have a modest 3 bed detached with OK sized garden. It was 262k in 2020.

Fortunately where I want to live is cheap. Just jobs are difficult as I'm aiming for more remote the better!
 
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Don't underestimate how grim places like the Lake District can get on a miserable day. I lived there for a few years.

Take a look at the cheaper areas of Hampshire/Wiltshire/Berkshire(maybe). Weather is good, not that far from beach, not isolated or far from civilization, 'lower density' area of the country so can feel quite rural & the scenery is good with a few AONB's nearby.
 
413x said:
I couldn't wait to get out of Suffolk. I lived very near Thetford. Less than 15 miles. Most boring place I ever lived. Liked growing up as a kid. But soon as I had transport and adventure hobbies, there was just nothing left for me.

Scenery is just fields too. Endless fields.

It is amazing how different we are. Only place I've spent time in I disliked more than more than Thetford area was the fens.
Now that's a grim place!
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That is why the thread is pointless as the OP will have different tastes to everyone.

I am surprised you disliked Thetford. The forestry around is simply stunning.
 
FWIW
I lived most of my adult life in Watford. After I retired I moved to Yorkshire. This was mainly to be closer to family. Then there is the plus side - a much nicer house for much less money. And a nicer neighbourhood. All good!
 
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