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Returning to the UK

(82 Posts)
Butty Tue 08-Jan-13 13:19:48

.....but where??

I would love any of you GN-ers to give me some good reasons on where to choose. We've been away for the last 10 years, and feel it is time to 'come home'. I feel I'm becoming increasingly isolated.
One son and family live in the States, and a brother, but that's not possible. Neither is Canada, where my sister lives. I have one son in London, but that's financially impossible, and I wouldn't want to live on his doorstep, and neither would he I suspect! He's busy with his life. No children......yet. Another brother across the other side of France - but it's still France!
It's lonely with no family around - so where's a good friendly place to be with lots going on? Don't mind about the weather. Beautiful countryside, hills, big skies, good walking tops the list.
I've lived in the south east and south west - but thinking further afield may be an option.

So far, the Northumberland coast has been suggested.

It'd be great to have some more ideas.

j07 Fri 11-Jan-13 12:30:07

Southern. grin

It's nice down here too. In a different sort of way.

glassortwo Fri 11-Jan-13 12:19:16

Whats the other half jingle smile

j07 Fri 11-Jan-13 12:08:29

I like the North of England. I'm half northern.

glassortwo Fri 11-Jan-13 11:58:49

grin

jeni Fri 11-Jan-13 11:57:59

Is that a supermarket that sells suppers?grin

Sorry, couldn't resist itblush

Ana Fri 11-Jan-13 11:28:41

Asap - can't wait to get to one of those suppermarkets! wink

Movedalot Fri 11-Jan-13 11:26:23

When are you coming Ana?

Ana Fri 11-Jan-13 11:25:32

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

Movedalot Fri 11-Jan-13 11:24:52

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.

janey Fri 11-Jan-13 11:20:14

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 Fri 11-Jan-13 11:17:01

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!!!!

Movedalot Fri 11-Jan-13 11:14:30

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!

janey Fri 11-Jan-13 11:06:06

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.

Butty Fri 11-Jan-13 07:53:11

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

GillieB Thu 10-Jan-13 20:29:37

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.

glassortwo Wed 09-Jan-13 13:59:38

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

glassortwo Wed 09-Jan-13 13:58:53

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

Movedalot Wed 09-Jan-13 13:52:43

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.

yogagran Wed 09-Jan-13 13:42:19

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

Movedalot Wed 09-Jan-13 13:27:11

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?

Butty Wed 09-Jan-13 13:02:59

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. smile

harrigran Wed 09-Jan-13 00:48:32

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.

JessM Tue 08-Jan-13 20:47:38

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.

Mishap Tue 08-Jan-13 20:35:32

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!!

crimson Tue 08-Jan-13 19:53:57

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 wink].