Need your personal recommendations to decide on property location

THERAPHOSA21

Hi there,

The area we live in has drastically changed in the last years to the worse and we are desperate to move house, but we are too afraid to end up buying somewhere with bad neighbors/ -hood. We are looking to buy a detached bungalow either as a smallholding or somewhere in a quiet and friendly neighborhood where people take care and pride in their properties and surroundings and respect their neighbors. Ideally it should be reasonable distance from the busy roads (maybe secluded and not overlooked), rivers, train lines or other potential nuisance sources. Located on the outskirts of any larger towns or countryside. The size and condition not too important as long the location and neighborhood is good and roughly fits into 300k budget. Maybe your neighbor or somebody else is selling in the area you personally know and can recommend?

Thanks     

Devongardener

To get somewhere secluded, detached and away from busy roads for £300K, you’ll probably have to look at Wales or Scotland,  certainly if you want a smallholding.

sheramber

caithness or Sutherland 

ProDave

Where I am in the Highlands will offer that.  Do you want to move this far?  What is your employment situation?

THERAPHOSA21

Where about in the Highlands is this?

mark_cycling00

Which area of the UK has become so much "worse"?

People might even up recommending your area.

I'd say the whole of the south west is friendly but can be expensive. The west midlands (west of Brum) is sometimes mocked but the people are lovely and friendly. 

This bungalow has gorgeous views and the Matlock valley is beautiful.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/139499192#/?channel=RES_BUY

ProDave

THERAPHOSA21 said:

Where about in the Highlands is this?

Here is a right move search in my patch

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/find.html?locationIdentifier=REGION^61359&maxPrice=300000&propertyTypes=bungalow&includeSSTC=false&mustHave=&dontShow=&furnishTypes=&keywords=

FreeBear

Devongardener said:

To get somewhere secluded, detached and away from busy roads for £300K, you’ll probably have to look at Wales or Scotland,  certainly if you want a smallholding.

Norfolk will get you a 2/3 bed bungalow in a quiet area for under £300K, many with a large garden. A plot big enough for a smallholding would be stretching it a bit.

ss2020jd

FreeBear said:

Devongardener said:

To get somewhere secluded, detached and away from busy roads for £300K, you’ll probably have to look at Wales or Scotland,  certainly if you want a smallholding.

Norfolk will get you a 2/3 bed bungalow in a quiet area for under £300K, many with a large garden. A plot big enough for a smallholding would be stretching it a bit.

Agreed. If you stay away from the coast and second home areas there are some nice areas inland. Some bungalows have very large gardens. You might be able to buy or rent a small piece of land nearby (I have seen some from 10-20k). 

Skiddaw1

Cumbria is also worth considering. If you're outside the national park/Lake District honeypots, property is very reasonably priced. For instance:

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/136157075#/?channel=RES_BUY

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/141100688#/?channel=RES_BUY

badger09

@Skiddaw1
Nice area but OP wants a bungalow. 

OP Try North Shropshire or neighbouring Powys & Wrexham