What would you do - where shall I move to?

getmore4less

bloolagoon wrote: »

The city is newcastle - small City but has most things we need. Great metro and rail link, buses/metro not as often as London tube/buses but you get a seat.

Never been to NC. but this is what I liked about Glasgow everything in a relatively small area so walking/bus nowhere takes to long to get too(<30mins one side to the other) surounded by loads of residential from rough to posh and plenty inbetween, with a good selection of city center accomodation for those that don't need a family home.

TimeForChange2015

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions. I think my problem now if narrowing down where to go - I feel spoilt for choice!

catshark88 wrote: »

Bude in Cornwall has cheap housing, super fast broadband and the sea. Loads of people have moved there, from all round the country and seem to be having a fab time. Lots going on and quite a few single people.

Cornwall definitely appeals. Living by the sea in a beautiful part of the country is very tempting, and I remember reading a month or so ago an article about the fast broadband there. Not sure how much I'm being influenced by the sunny summer weather - I always start dreaming about living by the sea in this weather....

Not sure Bude would work for me. Falmouth might be better as there's a train station. I can't drive so reasonable public transport is a must. Not super important being able to get to London (I'm happy with longish journey when visiting if need be) but I'll want to be able get around the local area. I'll look into what the buses there are like.

getmore4less wrote: »

I did a stint in Glasgow, plenty going on, friendly, loads of meetup groups(did not use I was short term) good public transport easy to get around.

There seemed to be plenty of house share/rooms available for more mature people, If I have been there longer I would have found something(I am older than you) as I was short term I wanted somewhere very central for work/going out.

A very big student population, I think this gives a vibe to a city/town and busy affordable venues pubs, restaurants...

Another option might be to become a bit nomadic and give a place 6 months and move on or even less time and have a year as a UK tourist moving from place to place mixing work with tourist stuff.
Could even mix that with overseas summer UK winter somewhere warmer.

I think outgoing social people can do well just about anywhere, the more insular struggle that's where things like meetup work.

Glasgow sounds worth considering. Especially as I'll be renting at least initially and I've heard renters have better protection in Scotland (including no agent fees). Definitely positive to hear that there's other more mature house-sharers there. I might get my own place but nice to have options. Agree with you about the student vibe, so Glasgow is now on my shortlist.

Bristol is very nice but not as cheap as I want. I could probably do it but wouldn't save much money. Manchester is on my list, and Newcastle was suggested to me by a friend.

The nomadic experience does appeal and is something I"m considering. My immediate-term plan is to get out of London asap to save on rent costs, and then consider the next stage. I'm looking into an adult gap year - travelling, living abroad, perhaps teaching English, but it could be something to try out in the UK too. I don't want to rent forever but the flexibility is one plus of renting.

I guess I've got a lot of homework to do this weekend!

TimeForChange2015

Few quick questions before I head off to do my research. I know I have to do my own research but would massively welcome any hints and tips from people who know the areas.

Just really wanting people's thoughts on what areas in the following cities and towns would be good to look at.

Glasgow, Manchester (including Greater Manchester), Newcastle, Birmingham, Nottingham, and Norwich.

Particularly good to know where to avoid, and also where (if possible) in these areas I could get a studio/1-bedroom flat for around 500pcm (paying more is possible but kind of defeats the purpose of saving up money). I'm still considering a house-share but would like the option of my own place.

lukeh23

Wiltshire.

You have the cotswold, bristol and bath not far away. Electrification of the train lines underway, meaning you can get to central london in an hour.

Cirenchester, Chippenham, Malmesbury, Stroud (a little further out) and the hundreds of villages that surround them

Lots of great communities, cheap house prices / rent and so much lovely countryside in all directions.

When the train lines complete and with more people being home based, a lot of people will start moving west. It has a lot to offer, and its really not that far away from it all. We have a skewed view of distances in the uk.

lukeh23

Follow up:

Nice little one bedroom cottage in Malmesbury, near the high st, just been renovated, £500 a month

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-42495256.html

Prothet_of_Doom

Obviously, being a Northerner, I'd suggest moving to the West Midlands.

LeoTLion

Just to add to your confusion, have you considered Lincoln?

It's a smallish city with a lot of character. Has a university so plenty of life. Rental prices are reasonable. Two and a half hours from London by train. Lower rates of crime than some of the bigger cities previously mentioned.

moneyistooshorttomention

LeoTLion wrote: »

Just to add to your confusion, have you considered Lincoln?

It's a smallish city with a lot of character. Has a university so plenty of life. Rental prices are reasonable. Two and a half hours from London by train. Lower rates of crime than some of the bigger cities previously mentioned.

I understand prices are very reasonable in Lincoln - but I seem to recall the terrain is rather flat there (if I'm not misremembering) and the wind blows right across it often.

Don't underestimate whether the weather is the same as you are used to. If its worse (that wind!!!) then that is a downside and one that may even affect your way of life.

LeoTLion

Lincolnshire is a pretty big county and the terrain varies greatly, it is pretty flat in the south and east. The north of the county is made up of the wolds. I don't recall the city itself being particularly windy and Michaelgate has a gradient of 11% so not exactly flat.

sofarbehind

The south of Birmingham is really nice, Moseley and Harborne in particular. Nottingham is a decent city and house prices are very reasonable, it's somewhere I'd consider.