Moving house and area after 22 years- help please

love_lifer

Hello all

Ive lived in my home in an area of Bradford for 22 years, close to paying off mortgage. The area has become unbearable over the last few years, the riots in 2001 probably catalysed the decline. Most people here now are from the same area in Asia and I feel increasingly like an outsider, especially since getting a dog. The amount of abuse I've suffered in the last 18 months is shocking. That's another story.

So I want to move. Now the tricky bit- Im 48 and I love my large period home. I love the architecture in the area and the fact its so green and within 15 minutes walk of stunning woodlands. My friends are here. I am part of the wider Bradford community, I have an allotment, I work here. BUT I don't want to live in such an insular area as I live in now, I like diversity and tolerance.

My family and a few friends are in Manchester and I'm leaning towards a move there. I'm in a profession that means I can work most places. However when I look at houses, which I do lots recently, they're not at all to my taste- newer, brick, plastic windows etc. If I look further out- Oldham, saddleworth etc- thats more what I'm after house and location wise- green, older. and im so out of practice re house moving- it feels daunting.

I just want some opinions please about my dilemma- I feel terribly stuck and unsure- im single so no one to share such a big decision with. should I try to make the most of what I've got and live with the rubbish? am I idealizing Manchester and the lancs/yorks border? Thanks for reading this, phew.

hazyjo

Why don't you rent there for a while and suss it out? You'll find somewhere there or nearby soon enough that suits, I'm sure! Or at least it might open your eyes to yet other areas you've not considered.

Good luck!

Jx

love_lifer

That wouldn't work unfortunately as I've 3 cats a dog and a lot of stuff. But thanks for the idea. I think I need to have a drive round potential areas though, to get a better feel for them

hazyjo

Once you find a house you like in a suitable area, list the area here (same thread fine, but you might want to go advanced and change the title slightly) and people will let you have their knowledge of it.

Bound to be someone who knows it, where to avoid, general reputation, etc.

Jx

moneyistooshorttomention

I can only answer for what I would do in your position. I would think "I like my house and my area and its MY area...I'm not the outsider here" and probably decide to stay put. I have never been attached to my house and the area (of itself - regardless of people in it) has changed for the worse so my circumstances are different to yours.

If others there don't like your pets - tough luck on them. It's perfectly normal to have pets after all.

I'm currently leaving my own area because of the huge amount of development that has been going on here and its getting worse. But it DOES still feel like MY area and so that's not behind my move at all.

I'm of a mind that, if I belonged in an area and it was MY area and everything else was alright apart from feeling out of place with newer people living in the area I'd almost certainly dig my heels in and not budge and if they didn't like me living in MY own way tough blimmin' luck and they'd get a mouthful if they tried voicing their opinions.

But that's me personally...and I would say "Don't let anyone drive you out of your OWN area" and be looking for avenues to make official complaints about harassment.

Anyone who is trying to make you feel unwelcome in your own "patch" aren't the ones who will be bearing the cost of moving and having to find another job - YOU are. Blow 'em.

love_lifer

Thanks Jo I shall. I'm still a bit ambivalent about moving but I think it's necessary

I_have_spoken

There's no shame in 'white flight'. I did the same the last year. You need to scan the Census report for areas which are > 97% white British.

Maybe Leek, Cheadle or Biddulph? http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-41965847.html

love_lifer

Moneystooshort thats been my approach but at the moment I feel worn out with it all-responding is pointless as I get angry and the people who have a go aren't up fora debate, they're ignorant and/or scared. And when people are abusive it's really hard to feel good and feel ok even just going to the shops. I can't screen everything out. You'd have to visit and witness just how bad/ridiculous it actually is. I've started driving more and using my local lovely park much less. And wearing headphones so I don't have to hear what's said.

love_lifer

Noooo I don't want to live anywhere mono- cultural. I want to live somewhere mixed and liberal. Don't wish to swap one ghetto for another

Hermoine

Why not try villages and smaller towns around Bradford, or indeed another area of Bradford as that way you could stay part of all the things that you like about your city?

bagpussbear

Sorry to hear of your abuse OP, no-one should have to live like that.

I think I would also move, it's unlikely to improve any time soon. Think of it as a fresh start.

As another poster said, maybe rent for a while in an area that has a good 'word of mouth' reputation first?

I don't like Bradford, travel through occasionally and I think its an awful place. And I am a born and bred Londoner, living in a multicultural city for all my life. I grew up with my lovely step dad who was black African, and my step-siblings who were african/west indian. You couldn't meet a lesser racist person than me, lol! But I moved up North a year ago, and am shocked at the negative attitudes of some of the Asian community, particularly the younger one, up here. Never seen anything like it, despite living in London for over 40 years. I would not live in a high Asian community again, sorry don't mean to offend anyone here by saying that, simply our personal experience since living here a year.

OP as part of your online searches, I would look at population data by ethnicity, age, etc also.