What would you do - where shall I move to?

onlyroz

We are seriously considering moving to Dorset if my employer will agree to let me work from home for half the week. I've been looking at Bournmouth or Poole, which would still let me get into the office when I need to without a stupidly long commute.

wastedtalent

I've lived in Birmingham, Glasgow and Manchester. All three have their merits.

Birmingham is bit, a huge urban sprawl.. Much bigger than the other two, but it's getting better. The last decade has seen huge redevelopment of the city centre. I didn't find it the most exciting of places to live though.

Glasgow was where I had most fun, but I would suggest best suited for people in their twenties, you can out grow the place. Beautiful city, bit crazy, lovely location. Bit grim in winter where you might not see the sun for days.

Manchester where I live now, not as exciting as Glasgow but always plenty going on and feels like somewhere that's going places, somewhere you can settle down. There's lost of investment [public and from the Emirates] and the devolution of power could really push the city and surrounding areas forward.

All three have their merits, go visit them all and see if you can picture yourself there.

velocity_girl

LandyAndy wrote: »

Have you thought about learning to drive?


Not being able to drive may not be much (if any) inconvenience in London but pretty much anywhere else it will likely be a big difficulty.

Would have to disagree with this - I can't speak for other cities, but having lived in Glasgow all my life, not being able to drive has never been a difficulty for me, never mind a big one. I have a bus stop and a subway station practically on my door step, and a train station less than 5 mins walk from my door, all running every 5 to 10 mins. I would imagine most cities will be similar as long as you choose an area with good transport links.

I don't doubt that living in a rural or even suburban location would be more difficult without driving, but to say pretty much anywhere outside London it'll be a "big difficulty" is nonsense.

Prothet_of_Doom

Davesnave wrote: »

Seconded.

People underrate Brum, even those who live there, apparently, according to a recent survey.

These parts of the city, and the bits in between, are green and pleasant, but they're cosmopolitan and lively too.

Having been a student in Coventry for 4 years whilst my Fiancee was a Student nurse at the QE, and then spending the first 5 years of our married life in Brum, I have to agree.

LandyAndy

velocity_girl wrote: »

to say pretty much anywhere outside London it'll be a "big difficulty" is nonsense.

No,it isn't.

It may be a slight exaggeration but it sure as hell isn't nonsense.

sidefx

LandyAndy wrote: »

No,it isn't.

It may be a slight exaggeration but it sure as hell isn't nonsense.

I agree, in most places, outside of major cities, public transport is severely lacking.

I couldn't rely on public transport to get me to work (there are only 2 buses a day that are way out of sync with my working hours) and I live in a large town.

I have no choice but to run a car at vast expense or I'd lose my job for being an hour late for work every day and having to leave an hour and a half early!

Although it is not just for work. Out of town supermarkets and lack of nearby public transport or local supermarkets, makes shopping without a car a nightmare.

Not right but a sad sign of the times.

moneyistooshorttomention

LandyAndy wrote: »

I'm not even 'deep' in the countryside but buses to Salisbury/Ringwood/Bournemouth only run every half hour (every hour in the evening) and the nearest rail station is in Salisbury which would be half an hour on the bus and a 15 minute walk.

Swop ya' for buses that run every hour to bigger destinations here and one nearby village I would like to be able to get to easily (as a friend/some good walks are there) only has buses about 2-3 hours. Basically no buses of an evening or Sunday. Add that I have to do a bit of doublechecking on bus availability - as the main local bus provider here are too inefficient to ensure all their buses are up on the Traveline Cymru website...

I've learnt to make sure that I go out with my mobile phone on me and a list of phonenumbers of a local taxi firm/some friends on me in case I get stuck somewhere unable to get back.

But I manage - because I've never been able to afford a car and don't particularly want one anyway. So 'twas easy when I was living in Home Area and its a lot harder here - but I still manage.

Davesnave

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

But I manage - because I've never been able to afford a car and don't particularly want one anyway. So 'twas easy when I was living in Home Area and its a lot harder here - but I still manage.

It's a decision usually made early in life.

My girls were like me and got behind the wheel as soon as they could, rather than blow their money on immediate pleasure.

The first didn't get a car until 6 years after passing her test; again, just like me.

The second is now 6 years beyond passing and is still car-less.

It's chicken-egg. If you don't drive, many jobs are impossible, so that can limit income.

clint_S

for £500pm you can get Studio flat to rent in Manchester city centre, fallowfield is a nice location http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-51061013.html


Or plenty of 2 bed town house in Manchester.


In Liverpool you can get 3 bed houses http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-35073195.html

claireabelle_2

Just moved to Manchester in May from Wandsworth, we're in South Chorlton, not as nice as the main bit of Chorlton but much more affordable. You won't need a car here, trams and buses are good!