What would you do - where shall I move to?

TimeForChange2015

Hello everyone.

I'm a semi-regular poster on MSE but using an alias here in an attempt as some kind of privacy (as much as you can get on a public forum...).

So, I need to make some big changes to my living arrangements - and it's kind of exciting but also rather scary so any advice and tips would be very welcome.

I've lived in London all my life, family and most friends still here, but just can't afford to stay. I'm private renting and can't afford London rents. I also might have some hope of buying eventually if I leave London.

I don't where know where to go to and would really appreciate suggestions, tips, etc. I work from home so not limited to commutable distance to London.

I'm able to pay around 500pcm. Less is better so I have a chance of building up savings. On the other hand as it's a big change for me, I might consider 600pcm to live where I'd be happiest. Also, as I'm renting I'm considering trying more than one area out.

I'm excited but it's also quite terrifying! I'll be going on my own. I enjoy time to myself but don't want to end up completely alone and isolated (especially as I've had health problems in the past and worry about getting ill again). I'm coming up to 40, female, and (recently) single. I have no children.

I'm looking for a town or a city where I can fit in as best I can (as a non-local single middle-aged female). I'm very happy having time on my own but I'm also a pretty social person. I need somewhere with reasonable public transport, relatively safe, good and reliable broadband, and friendly but not "where everyone knows your business all of the time".

I also don't know whether to considering a house-share or being a lodger, at least initially. I prefer having my own place at my age but friends have suggested initially sharing until I've found my feet. It also might be worth it if it means I'd be able to save and eventually buy somewhere. I'm a bit worried I'd be much older than the other sharers who might not want to share with me?

jm2926

Is there anywhere outside London you have visited and liked? Anywhere you already have friends? I have friends who moved from London to Glasgow for the same reasons, but one of them knew the city fairly well and had existing friends here.

The criteria you have given would probably fit almost any town/city outside the SE.

G_M

If you can work from home and are not restricted geographically, do you speak any languages? Greece may well offer opportunities for cheaper properties plus a great climate, & if you were to offer rooms for holidays you could put me on your mailing list.

Or Spain?

Closer to home what about the south coast? Or East Anglia?

borkid

G-M I was just going to suggest Norwich. Quite a few 1, 2 bedroom places in the city centre for that price and safe.
Depends what you like doing but there are plenty of arts venues/ theatres/ music venues of all genres. When I've been to concerts by myself quite a few people speak, singles and couples. Also a direct train line back to London or into Cambridge.
There is a mix of chain stores and independant stores fairly close together in the centre so good for shopping.

BlaEm

I can't really help with areas (having only lived in Surrey, Cambridge and London), but why not spend a few weekends visiting some new places to see where you like the look of? As others have said, places where you have any old friends, family, acquaintances would be a good place to start as they can give you there honest opinion on quality of life and the feel of the community.

When moving alone to new areas I've found MeetUp to be a really good site for meeting new people, of all ages and backgrounds, to socialise with (usually on the basis of a shared interest). When you get your shortlist have a look and see if there are any active Meetups in the area.

If you're happy sharing / lodging at first that seems like a good idea - much more flexible to move if you find you don't get on with an area, with the added bonus of hopefully living with some friendly locals who can show you the ropes until you find your feet.

Best of luck

TimeForChange2015

I have actually been thinking about moving abroad. Not sure if it's realistic or fantasy. Was good at languages at school but can't speak any well enough to get by (I'd like to learn).

I'm freelance but some of the companies I work for want you to be based in the UK - (although some are fine with you being abroad). I'm looking into taking a TEFL course and teaching English abroad. Wanted to for years actually but I was in a long-term relationship with someone set on staying in London and I put him first....

I'm very fortunate that I currently have savings and the means to follow some dreams, i.e. moving abroad and/or travelling and taking an career-break gap year - but I need leave London asap to cut my rental costs or these options might no longer be possible. I want to leave London first and then plan/think about the next stage.

In terms of where to live (at least initially) in the UK... Most of my friends (and family) are still in London so I don't really have links elsewhere. I have friends in the US and in Australia but my work wouldn't get me a visa to move there.

One of my priorities is fitting in. I know I'm not the only single woman in her late 30s (I'm nearly 40) but I'm thinking there might be some areas where it won't be as easy to fit in as a newcomer if you're not a family?

There's several places in the UK I fell in love with on holiday but they're mostly isolated and rural (or too expensive for my budget!). I can't drive so must have reasonable public transport.

I've always liked being by the sea and am leaning towards somewhere coastal.

East Anglia is one of the places I'm considering, and Norwich in particular. Don't know much about it (apart from Alan Partridge!) but I know a lot of people who've visited and all were very positive.

PlutoinCapricorn

Dover? Brighton? You might want to come to London for the day.

Andypandyboy

The people are very friendly oop north! Southport has some lovely areas, as does the Yorkshire coast or even the Lake District. All those areas have active communities with lots going on. Property is much cheaper too, although not in the Lake District!

TimeForChange2015

Thanks to everyone who has replied - didn't expect such quick responses!

@BlaEm, thanks. MeetUp sounds like a good idea. I'm also thinking of maybe taking a part-time or evening class or volunteering, or getting a part-time job out of the home to get out and about and meet people.

I'm sure I'll be fine wherever I go. I always find thinking about change nerve-wracking but I've always been quite adaptable, and I've been abroad solo (holidays) more than once with no problems at all - but it's good to get tips and advice, and I usually find MSE helpful.

I am going to visit a few places over the next few weeks to get a feel of the area, and perhaps even view a few flats whilst there.

So what are people's thoughts on sharing at my age. Do you think I'd have difficulty finding places? I'm not sure how easy it would be to find people happy to share with an older(ish) woman? I kind of like my own space but I've shared in the past and it wasn't terrible. I'd certainly be prepared to do it in short-term to save money (to either travel and/or buy a home).

TimeForChange2015

I like Brighton but it's too expensive. Cheaper than my current rent but I wouldn't really be able to save any money.

Up North is a possibility. I've been considering Manchester. I do know someone who moved to Stockport and they're happy there.

Don't know much about Southport. I've heard it's nice but might be too expensive for me? Maybe not compared to London, I don't know so will look into it.

I like Yorkshire and a friend did suggest Leeds to me. I might look into it. And yes, Lake District is lovely but not in my price range!

everypennycounts2015

Just a thought, if the sole purpose for leaving is to cut costs to £500, there are actually loads of rooms available for that price bracket in London and you wouldn't have to share with too many people. Have you looked at Spareroom?

You could then perhaps save and look to buy somewhere in a cheaper London area in the outer zones (Abbey Wood, Bexley etc)