Returning to the UK

Trouble is that there are no hilly places in the East of England and the more westerly areas do get more rain
Shropshire always seems to me a lovely peaceful county. Welsh borders. Hilly but not mountainous. And fairly easy access to the midlands and Wales. But never lived there. Similar to Herefordshire really. Both benefit from the proximity of Wales but maybe get a bit less rain than Wales itself.

Given the huge variation in house prices I'd probably be terribly boring and say what sort of price can you afford and what do you want for that amount. Then list the things that you will most want to do when you're there. Although I live in a small village I can get to our cinema [and it's a very good one] and theatre in @ 20 minutes [even less on a quiet day]. That is vitally important to me. If you're in no great hurry to move you could, perhaps do a few 'house swaps' and try out different parts of the country for a couple of weeks. It's a huge decision and, given the house sale market at the moment not one that you want to make a mistake with. I can see you getting totally addicted to the Right Move site; I go on there sometimes and have such fantasies about cottages in the Peak District. Somewhere that I love totally albeit rather remote in it's way and lacking a lot of the amenities that I'd like; also a bit pricey [and cliquey or so I've heard] is Southwell. Floods as well in some parts. Why do I even suggest it then? Because I've been there several times and I just adore it; other people I know feel the same about it. Oh heck; Right Move is calling me now ...

Love to have you as a neighbour, butty, but I think you'd find most of Argyll a bit remote from everything except mountains and water (both salt and fresh). Suits me but I'm not much of a town person. All I lack is a helicopter, with pilot, so I could visit DD1 more easily in Derbyshire.

A village community with access to an interesting town would suit me perfectly.
I adore the countryside, yet also enjoy music, film and theatre. Managing both is the trick.

The far north is pulling us both.......at the moment.
House swapping is a strong possibility. We did it with some Americans a couple of years ago and it was a great success.

We've already been offered a house to use as a base as and when, which is fabulous. Not planning on doing that until this is sold, then we can do the move and start hunting.

B we could share the cost of the helicopter!

If you can sell your house and then buy another house with cash you will potentially get a bargain; not many people can do that these days.

How about somewhere like Pickering, with access to York? One of my favourite towns in the UK.

I was going to mention York as well, Mamie. I haven't been there often but when I have I've loved it [the racecourse is one of my favourites as well ].

Don't forget the weather as you go further north. The two places I suggested (Herefordshire and Cheshire) have very different weather - my DD is often freezing in Cheshire while we are in the garden here.

Heed greatnans warning about her wet time in Manchester!!

And it is dark in the winter in the north. And colder. When i lived in Oldham which was up the pennines a bit from Manchester I never once went out with bare arms. And the trees did not get leaves until June.

I would suggest Northumberland too. Easy travelling to airport, Newcastle has everything in the way of entertainment and the restaurants are very good.
Coastline is wonderful and Hadrian's wall a great place to walk.

Another 'thank you all' - I have spent a very happy morning whizzing around the internet looking at all your suggestions. Lots of food for thought.

Butty you have described the villages near me as where you want to live! The only thing the others have offered which we can't is the sea, couldn't be much further away. I'll agree that Mishap lives somewhere really good too but then she can see my hills and I can see her's (on a good day)

Have you thought about contacting 'Location, Location, Location? You are just what Kirstie and Phil are looking for.

The housing situation here is the same as there I should think so if you have to reduce your price in order to sell you will also be able to get a reduction here when you buy as Crimson has pointed out.

I love all the positive comments you are receiving, how will you ever choose?

Could also be worth checking out the NHS care and considering moving somewhere near good hospitals etc. I remember comparing my breast cancer treatment with my sister's treatment of the same disease. I was sad that she lived in an area where I considered her treatment to be lacking in speed and efficiency.

If you think that you may need to give up driving in the near future you will need to be somewhere close to shops and good transport links

yoga you have reminded me that I looked at a website call upmystreet to find out things like crime and schools in the area. I think it had quite a lot of info which could be useful.

butter you could have an extended holiday and move from one suggested area to the next to check them out.

butty sorry trying to eat soup and type isnt a good idea.

Another one here pointing out how wonderful Northumberland is. We moved here thirty years ago next month and have never regretted it. The scenery is magnificent, the beaches lovely (if cold!), and we have access to the delights of Newcastle, Durham, etc. And the people .... so friendly and helpful.

Thanks GB - It's an area I don't know, so will definitely have to investigate. It certainly seems to be very popular.
Welcome back, by the way!

Butty, Have just read your "coming home" thread and as I was reading it I
immediately thought MALVERN. I then scrolled down and saw that Movedalot had posted echoing my thoughts.
I moved from there almost two years ago, and whilst I do not regret it, I have
now made my mind up that when things have been completed here I am off and back to Malvern.
Was up the hill last sunday whilst visiting a friend and oh boy did I feel like I'd come home. GREAT PLACE TO LIVE AND WALK.

We will welcome you back janey. You must come and see me when you are here.

A quote from when we were only thinking about moving here:

"People move to Malvern to die and then forget why they came and live to be 110".

No, its not all old people but it has all the things older people want, theatres, cinemas, library and things to join etc. Plus of course our lovely hills and Elgar!

Sorry forgot to say Malvern has a great theatre that gets all the london productions and much more. Also you will be in Elgar country so lots of VERY
good musiclal events. Stratford upon Avon is only a 45minute drive and Birmingham has the NEC, theatres, museums and the canals. What more could a girl need. The train connections to london and the rest of the UK are excellent too. B'ham airport is about 45 to 1hr drive and east mids airport is
about 1hr 15 or 20.
Sound like the local tourist board!!!!

Thankyou Movedalot. You beat me to it with the Elgar mention!!

I think we are doing a good job promoting Malvern dont you?
Maybe shouldnt do too good a job eh?!

janey we have been here 3 1/2 years and still cannot get over how lovely it is. Not just the obvious things like the hills and tea shops which serve home made food but its the people. They are so nice and friendly and everyone says hello and is patient with the elderly in the suppermarkets etc. Its the way other drivers let you in and wave thanks. We had a 'Malvern moment' a couple of weeks ago at a mini roundabout when all 4 cars stopped to let the others go first. That never happened to me in any of the other places we lived. If you decide to come back you will be very happy, we are.

Yes, it'll be standing-room only soon!

When are you coming Ana?