Trying to decide where to move to

youth_leader

When I was downsizing I received lots of interesting advice about different areas on Mumsnet.

Myci85

strawb_shortcake said:

I'm going to suggest Hereford, it's pleasant, it has history, it's home to Mappa Mundi, it also has an arts college and often has art exhibitions around the city. 
The prices are reasonable too and offer good value for money

I was about to suggest Hereford too, you should find something within budget here. 

Another I thought of was Stroud near Gloucester, that has a good art scene, not sure if the property prices are a bit higher though being closer to Gloucester and Bristol. 

fryedslyce

Have you considered the Georgian market town Louth https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louth,_Lincolnshire, You'll find numerous 3 bed properties, period and modern in your price range.

Albermarle

mark_cycling00 said:

It could be a bit miserable starting again in a cheaper place which has some social problems is unfriendly to newcomers and could be lonely.

You only have one life and old age comes quicker than we like to think.

I'd consider a 2-bed in one of those cities/towns that's guaranteed to be arty and fun and friendly even if it takes time to develop a social life. 

Exclude London, Cambridge and Bath as prices are crazy.
But Manchester, Oxford, Cheltenham, Bournemouth, maybe Harrogate, Edinburgh have a wonderful arty culture and non-young people move there too

I think Manchester could be a culture shock after Hampshire. Although the City is doing well and the centre is buzzing, large parts outside the city centre are still very much suffering from post industrial deprivation .

BungalowBel

Solihull and Yardley, both nice suburbs of Birmingham : https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/find.html?searchLocation=Solihull,+West+Midlands&useLocationIdentifier=true&locationIdentifier=REGION^1220&buy=For+sale&radius=0.0&maxPrice=260000&minBedrooms=3&_includeSSTC=on&includeSSTC=false

Grizebeck

strawb_shortcake said:

I'm going to suggest Hereford, it's pleasant, it has history, it's home to Mappa Mundi, it also has an arts college and often has art exhibitions around the city. 
The prices are reasonable too and offer good value for money

And I second that as a hereford FC fan

Grizebeck

Or look the north 
We took the plunge and moved to county durham never having lived there just because we wanted to move north (now in Northumberland)
Durham itself is lovely but not cheap.  But cheaper then Hampshire!
West of durham is very cheap compared to Hampshire and the countryside is lovely.

Albermarle

West of durham is very cheap compared to Hampshire and the countryside is lovely.

Although you would have to be prepared for some drop in temperature !

mark_cycling00

Myci85 said:

strawb_shortcake said:

I'm going to suggest Hereford, it's pleasant, it has history, it's home to Mappa Mundi, it also has an arts college and often has art exhibitions around the city. 
The prices are reasonable too and offer good value for money

I was about to suggest Hereford too, you should find something within budget here. 

Another I thought of was Stroud near Gloucester, that has a good art scene, not sure if the property prices are a bit higher though being closer to Gloucester and Bristol. 

Stroud is insanely expensive sadly. But, yes, a very arty and very welcoming place where everyone seems to have moved there in the last 5 years.

Think the todmorton - hebden bridge area is similar but might be less expensive 

Herzlos

TripleH said:

Remember, there's little point having a 4 bed house if 3 of those beds are only needed for 2 nights a year. Better a smaller house and an airbed etc.

That's what I was thinking. With 3 adult children off at uni, etc. then you may be better off going for a 1 / 2 bed in a nicer / more convenient area.

When they do visit, you can always put them up in a hotel/B&B rather than keeping spare room(s) for most of the year. You're realistically not going to be able to accomodate all 3 + parters + kids anyway in a few years, and I'd be stunned if you found somewhere more than maybe 30 mins from a decent hotel.