Best Place to live in England?

[Tortaruga]

Thinking of moving to England due to the dire situation in Ireland at present. I'm half English anyway, but grew up in Northern Ireland.

So where do we go? Hobbies - I like a bit of golf, mtb, football; she's big into horse riding. Both like eating out and visiting interesting/beautiful places.

Somewhere people are friendly and wouldn't hate us for not being local is very important.

[Marc-5-GTI]

Cumbria.... But I'm not biased at all...
MTB = soooo many fells
Horse riding = soo many horses and fields
Golf = sooo many golf courses
Football... Miles away from the nearest premier league side but Carlisle Utd isn't far away...
Scenery is awesome...

[tony_danza]

England really isn't that big, so any of those things are only a few hours away by car at the very most.

I wouldn't have thought anyone would bat an eyelid at an Irish person, so I wouldn't worry about that. We're massively multicultural, it's just the small pockets of racist idiots and the Daily Mail that make it seem like sometimes we're not.

Being in the North West, we've got the Lake district, the Peak district and Wales all within easy reach. The countryside is lovely, the cities are great and there's something for everyone's price range.

I don't know if it's the best place? I imagine what you have to spend will dictate where you live, London's going to be hugely different to the North East for example.

[rich83]

The grass is always greener....

What wrong with your current situation?

[garrardrj]

Depends on your Finances really , expensive around London and other large Cities . The Further you are away from them the better , unless you like that sort of thing . Depends on what you do for a living too and where employment may be found

As of Today i am Unemployed/Retired 

[edd666999]

North west gets a vote from me 

[Tortaruga]

What wrong with your current situation?

We're both architects which isn't the best job in the world at the moment. She was made redundant and I need to find a place where I can get stuck into some live projects.

Marc I hadn't thought of Cumbria - I'll look into it thanks! London is not an option, we'd like to be able to buy a house within a year or two. She's just mentioned Cornwall...

[skard]

NE England is probably more in line with what you are used to in NI. Some big cities within in hour or two that could help the job aspect, but also facilities for all those other lifestyles you mention.

Only a couple of hours drive to Stranraer or Liverpool for the ferry too.

I'm Scottish but live there and have never had grief!

I think the days of an Irishman leaving bags in a train station whilst you go to the loo and then being rugby tackled by Police afterwards are over with, I'd look at employment first then base around that. Howevr, Cornwall ain't cheap!

[tony_danza]

I'd doubt there's massive investment in housing/building around Cornwall at the moment. Beautiful place, tricky to buy a house though, as the locals are constantly fighting the holiday home crowd pushing them out of their hometowns.

Dorset gives you access to plenty of big cities, London and Cornwall/Devon.

[Scottymon]

Get more for your dosh overall in Scotland / N.Wales with plenty of the aforementioned activities available, probably more so with mountain based sports, and championship links courses... When are you planning your move?

[Tortaruga]

Planning to go in early 2014. Just starting to look at jobs now.

[rich83]

If i could live anywhere in the UK it would either be the Yorkshire dales or the cotswolds....

[MC71]

^^^^ Bourton On The Water for me. Go there every year. 


Why not find the job/jobs your both after (wherever that may be) and then look into those areas as places to live and set down roots. Every area in the country will have some great places to make a home.

I love where I live (in a market town in Sussex) as its perfect for me, my family, my life, my hobbies and interests but others may hate it, as always ETTO. We're 30 mins from the coast, 40 mins from the big smoke, 15 mins from Gatwick, more countryside than you can shake a stick at, horse sh*t and golf balls everywhere and the development (always good for architects) NEVER stops.

Good luck in your search PJ.  

[Tortaruga]

Cheers Martin. Just googled Bourton - looks beyond beautiful.

Yeah the work will be the driver I suppose, but it's a big difference between South/North for so many things.

[Top Cat]

I have worked all over the UK mainland for the last 12 years. The only 2 areas i would avoid would be Birmingham and London but it is all personal preference. I love it around Newcastle and Geordie people are so warm and friendly. Drive down the M5 and turn off anywhere and it is beautiful, the Cheshire countryside around Joderel Bank is also lovely. If i had to pick one area the South coast from Dorset to the New Forrest would be my choice.