Where to live?

elsien

Have you been to Blackpool out of season?
I found it quite run down and depressing in February. Wherever you go, consider what it might be like all year round.

HollySocks_2

Lol, no, i did 3 trips in July when the country was literally roasting. And then went back last Friday which was the day they switched the lights on.

But Clevelys way struck me as less reliant on the tourists, lots of pensioners just doing their regular shopping, sitting in the cafes. I dont mind it being quiet ha, but yeah, i do understand it will be quite different to how it was in scorching July. I do worry a bit though that i'm choosing to hide away amongst all the lovely pensioners, when i've only just hit my 40's and should maybe be looking at somewhere with a bit more umm, ooomph to it :-)

I know in my head that there are other great areas to go to. I'm just finding reasons to not go visit them as i get so anxious the further away it is. But i can do it, i had to go to Sunderland twice for mum and dads funeral.

ginger_chocolate

Ginger, Cardiff had pretty much been top of my list for the last few months, until i went to look at Blackpool.



But its quite difficult to find a nice 3 bed within walking distance of the cycle routes in my price range. It can be done, but often they are really cramped or look a bit run down..i think compared to places like Sunderland, Blackpool, its a lot more expensive property wise.



Thanks for the tip about Splott and Cathays Those were the 2 areas i was looking at, they seemed to be pretty hip and trendy now by the sounds of it. But i guess thats why the prices are so high i guess..Those terraced house there often ahve such wierd layouts, like the bathroom downstairs at the back of the kitchen, some tiny tiny back yard...
Cardiff Bay would be ideal, but i just dont want to do the whle apartment thing, all the leashold charges, not able to have pets, tiny balconies..I dont really get why apartments are quite so popular, theyre pretty cramped it seems, often a lounge, kitchen, dining room all combined..
Are there any areas a bit further out that are still on the cycle trails? I think there was a river i saw? North and East of Cardiff? Had traffic free cycle routes along it?



If i knew these places or had visited them a bit in my life it would make it so much easier. Not really knowing anywhere or anyone now, i'm getting all a bit lost with it all...

Funnily enough I am currently looking at moving out of a flat near the Bay area which did cause me a bit of a headache for all of the reasons you mention (leasehold, no pets, tiny living space etc). My personal view from that experience is that you're better off buying a small, cheap house than a posh flat wherever you end up, but others may disagree.

You're probably looking for more or less the same kind of property as me so I'm kind of fraternising with the competition here (!) but I agree, the terraced houses often have really odd layouts, I've viewed loads with bathrooms coming off the kitchen, ridiculously shaped kitchens,and random downstairs rooms being used as bedrooms, but you have to be open minded and think about how you would use and adapt the space to your needs. Even a tiny garden can be made into a nice relaxing space with a bit of imagination - I have a friend in London who has a concrete outdoor space about two metres square, but she's managed to grow some tomatoes and courgettes in pots and has a little table and chairs to sit out in the sun.

Another friend of mine has recently bought a flat in Llandaf North and cycles into the city along the Taff trail regularly (which will be the cycle trail along the river that you've seen) - it's not a super cheap area, but worth a look. Likewise Gabalfa in the north of the city is an easy cycle route. You should be able to get a basic sense of how the city fits together from google maps.

Cathays is a great area in terms of having everything you need (shops, cafes, restaurants) within 5 minutes, but it is serious studentville, so it's not terribly attractive, and gets a bit rowdy at night - pretty harmless though, I wouldn't feel unsafe there. You will hear horror stories about the STAR area (Splott, Tremorfa, Adamsdown and Roath), but they are mainly based on a reputation from 10+ years ago (there are still rough streets, but you can tell by looking which ones they are). They aren't exactly the poshest areas, but you'll get better value for money, and despite what some people will claim, no, you're not going to get stabbed by a random stranger when walking to the Spar!

Smodlet

LisbonLaura wrote: »

Llandudno? Arguably the most perfectly set resort in Britain?

Great if you really, really like hills... Mountains, hills? Beautiful though but really touristy in season.

OP, it sounds as if you have narrowed your search considerably. I wish you every happiness and hope you find your perfect home and peace. Everyone should be able to feel safe in their own space; it should not have to be a luxury reserved only for those who can afford it.

I would avoid many areas of Newcastle like the plague. Having lived there for four years, it seemed to me there were a few nice, really expensive areas and a great many horrible, nasty places I would not put a dog in; pity I had to live in some of them. I used to have to go through Byker on the metro every day for work. I could not believe what I was seeing the first few times; there are no words.

Please do not make rash decisions. This forum can be a great place from which to bounce ideas off knowledgeable, helpful people. If you have anxiety issues, perhaps letting strangers into your new home is something to consider down the line when or if you have to.

Good luck and please keep us informed of your progress.

armchaireconomist

Move up to Northumberland. Loads of coastal walks/cycle routes around. Beautiful area. You'll get a decent sized house in a nice semi-rural area with a large garden with plenty change from £160k

Jojomissy

I know you have bad memories of Harpurhey but have you considered moving onto the very outskirts of Manchester? Not everywhere is like Harpurhey and at least you will have some familiarity.

What about Ramsbottom, Glossop, Stalybridge, Mossley. All affordable and have the countryside on your doorstep. You will also get the village feel and friendly folk. Lots of cycling but also transport is good into the city as you are still young. You will have the best of both worlds, nice and quiet as much as you want then you can socialise if you feel like it.

Good luck xx

Lurkingtoposting17

OP being from the South East I can't offer advice on affordable places to live, however, I would like to offer some advice re: anxiety and coping if you don't want to speak whilst out walking/on buses etc as people in nice small towns in more rural parts can be VERY friendly - which whilst you may feel safer, and in time you may wish to engage with these people, can feel slightly intimidating!

Invest in a pair of Over Ear noise cancelling headphones. I have a pair of Bose Quiet Comfort Wireless Headphones as I travel alot. I call them my "f**k off phones" because when I travel (which I do alot) and when I don't want to be spoken to (maybe just not in the mood) , and don't take the hint I don't want to talk, I just find a moment to slip them on. As they are noise cancelling, I can't hear them speak in the first place, but also, as they are rather large - they also give a pretty good visual indicator of "I really don't want to speak right now". And if you do feel like challenging yourself to chat, you can just slip them down on to your shoulders but with the comfort factor of knowing they can be slipped back on if it all gets overwhelming.

Good luck OP wherever you choose to live. I do hope you have some support as you go through the buying process, as it is quite anxiety inducing. Make sure you have someone you can talk to about the ups and down of the experience.

HollySocks_2

This is possibly me getting carried away , daydreaming too much, and probably is off topic and has a lot of pitfalls....


But umm, say you had a management company doing everything, and taking their 15% cut of whatever..and i know theres tax to pay, but in theory, is there anything wrong in trying this..

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-64358939.html

Rental income of £25k. It would take me off benefits, aim to try and get out, do part time job for 2-3 days a week..And then rent somewhere nice round the corner? :-)


Or even stay where i am now, in Didsbury. I got moved from Harpurhey after being attacked. In a lovey place that's pretty darn cheap rent £85 a week, which for Didsbury is pretty good. It's also a Housing assoc that Mr Cameron promised we could all have the right to buy back in 2015. I would get the max 70% discount. Course, the scheme keeps getting put back, latest ive seen is another 2 years while a trial is bneing carried out..And i know mentioning the right to buy will open me up to hostile comments lol, which is fair enough


I know the right to buy is unpopular, and the scheme may get cancelled esp if Comrade Corbyn gets to No. 10.
But i could be off benefits, have a rental income, little management for me to do. And stay in my little sheltered flat in a lovely area, waiting for the right to buy which would give me a 'freebie' of around £85K, and just cross my toes that some video is unearthed of My Corbyn dressed an an SS Guard...Again, i know how right to buy is viewed, but if the offer is there...


It's not like i'd have a massive mortgage to pay out on the rental property or anything like that. So after all the tax and management fees, the rest is income. And aim to work 2-3 days a week.

Or do i need to move to cloud cuckoo land as i'm really not on this planet thought wise lol

HollySocks_2

LurkingtoPosting, thats a really great tip about the headphones..Situations like getting on a Metro or bus are so, so panicky. I can do it, but i hate it, fear of someone talking to me..I did think about using headphones, but i thought it would make things worse, as i'd feel i can't hear whats going on, and i'm always so anxious wanting to be able to hear if anything bad is going to happen..which it never does tho ha...But if i was to use the headphone and just listen to something quiet, some audio book, or even listen to nothing...i think that could work..


And it does give off that 'dont talk to me' vibe quite well. Or the alternative would be to just convert to another religion for those moments i'm outside and wear a burqa. Again, it does have that 'dont talk to me' vibe about it ha. I dont mean that to sound dis-respectful.

moneyistooshorttomention

HollySocks wrote: »

This is possibly me getting carried away , daydreaming too much, and probably is off topic and has a lot of pitfalls....


But umm, say you had a management company doing everything, and taking their 15% cut of whatever..and i know theres tax to pay, but in theory, is there anything wrong in trying this..

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-64358939.html

Rental income of £25k. It would take me off benefits, aim to try and get out, do part time job for 2-3 days a week..And then rent somewhere nice round the corner? :-)


Or even stay where i am now, in Didsbury. I got moved from Harpurhey after being attacked. In a lovey place that's pretty darn cheap rent £85 a week, which for Didsbury is pretty good. It's also a Housing assoc that Mr Cameron promised we could all have the right to buy back in 2015. I would get the max 70% discount. Course, the scheme keeps getting put back, latest ive seen is another 2 years while a trial is bneing carried out..And i know mentioning the right to buy will open me up to hostile comments lol, which is fair enough


I know the right to buy is unpopular, and the scheme may get cancelled esp if Comrade Corbyn gets to No. 10.
But i could be off benefits, have a rental income, little management for me to do. And stay in my little sheltered flat in a lovely area, waiting for the right to buy which would give me a 'freebie' of around £85K, and just cross my toes that some video is unearthed of My Corbyn dressed an an SS Guard...Again, i know how right to buy is viewed, but if the offer is there...

1. It's a student flat - whoever buys that needs to be more prepared than most for possible trashing of it/paying cleaners to do a mega-clean at the end of each tenure.

2. Dealing with tenants isn't for the faint-hearted at the best of times.

3. There's almost certainly a rule there somewhere in "right to buy" schemes forbidding access to it for anyone who already owns a property.

4. I wouldnt bet on the Labour Party being daft enough to keep Corbyn as a leader. He's such a liability to them that my mind boggles he's lasted as long as he has. I expect they'll see sense and get shot of him soon.