North South Part 2

A builder has just put in for planning permission to build an estate of 150+ houses in the fields at the back of us.
Hopefully it will be turned down, not because of nimbyism, but because the north east is the only area in the country where supply exceeds need.

Aka you have brought back memories to me as I used to work for a firm of accountants in Jury Street 1969/70. We did the accounts for Warwick Castle and I asked my boss if when Lord Brooke came to have a business meeting, I could be introduced to him and bring him a cup of coffee.

All was set up for this meeting, however my anticipation melted away when Lord Brooke shook my hand, it was like a wet fish. I was so disappointed.

House prices always reflect where the number of people want to live, and /or where the jobs are.

Yes, Bideford [and Devon generally] IS rather special.I loved our short time living there.Living here , near Witney and the start of the Cotswolds is pretty nice too. Gentle weather and scenery.Lots to do, Oxford 8 miles.The river and walks never far away on a sunny day.

By the way talking of house prices, you can still get a terrace house in this area for £50k. Cant beat that.

Cant beat the cheviots and Simonside hills, Im within a drive of Scotland, or the lake district or the coast. I love the view from Humbledon hill at Wooler or the view from the Rothley Craggs. Could go on forever but its making me restless and I want to go out for a drive.

Good morning! They have all disappeared down to the quay to watch DS1 and DDiL dive onto the river at the start of the triathlon, so it is so peaceful at the moment.

I love living in North Devon! When Theseus was in the army, we moved around a lot, so have lived in London, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Reading etc. etc. When he took early retirement, we bought what we could afford as near to our jobs in South London as possible - nice house, lots of friends.

But we chose to live here, and it was the one of the very best choices we have ever made, near DD and her family, near the sea and the moors and Bideford is special.

We live five minutes walk from Warwick Castle and the Avon. Leamington Spa is a five minute drive, Stratford is 6 miles south and the Cotswolds only 45 minutes by car. Birmingham, Oxford and London are only short train rides away.

The countryside round here is lovely with lots of lovely villages and village-type pubs. Warwick itself has a strong cafe culture with every kind of world cuisine you could wish for.

We moved here nearly 7 years away from 'up north' and I don't regret the decision though I miss my friends and the sea air.

Summer tyres Durhamjen you will be saying next you have chains on the wheels - do you remember them ?

Although I have only just changed to summer tyres.

The strange thing is, Mishap, that this year it has often been warmer in the North East than the South West. I live five minutes drive from the A68, number, the next road up from the A66, and I agree, the views are fantastic. The Durham Dales are amazing.

I know all the problems in the winter, but whenever we drive along the A66, I find myself wishing we lived up there, the views are magnificent.

My niece in Manchester has just bought a three bed semi with garage for £110,000. A similar house in my town in Devon costs exactly double that. My son and his wife have no chance of getting a mortgage for quite some time as they will need to have a huge deposit in order not to overstretch themselves with mortgage repayments.
I must admit that whilst I love visiting a big city for a few days (North or South) I love my Devonshire idyll.

I live on the S Wales border, and one of my DDs lives "up North." One thing that hits me every time I go up there is the cold - it is always much colder. They have some lovely countryside around them (as do we) but the rain and cold would get me down.

It is!!

Is it the river Soar Kitty?

We live in Leicestershire NanKate in a village with a river running through it - maybe it's the same one!

I love the midlands as we have easy access to the north and south but with lots of good things around us. We have easy access to the Pennines, fabulous Leicestershire countryside, 4 big cities with theatres, restaurants and shopping, lots of small market towns, villages, country pubs and, best of all, most of our children live round here!

On the doorstep of the moors, the Pennines and the Lakes, less than 30 minutes to city bars and restaurants in Manchester, heritage and history to name but a few reasons for liking living 'up North'.
If we get bored 2 hours on a fast train takes us for a taste of hustle and bustle in London, thankfully it also brings us back home to peace in our 4 bed detached house.

I live in London, and with current house prices could buy a small estate further north for our 4 bedroom house. I would be happy to move out of London but we have friends and family nearby, so it would be a wrench...maybe could,persuade OH to go a little further out......

I do not see the point of moving- I also have very good neighbours- helpful but not intrusive.

I wouldn't move Charleygirl as I prefer our weather and we have a fabulous array of shops and cafes etc., which I am sure they do up north but I don't where they are, other than York and Harrogate which are similar to us.

Yes we are in a quiet spot too, which I like.

NanKate I live in similar in NW London but without the view! It is very quiet where I live and for me that is a bonus.