Moving! Where is a great place to live? Ideas please.

There are some lovely places on the sea around Bristol, with relatively easy access to Wales, London and Sussex. You can decide how urban - or not - you want to be.

Ruthin?

It entirely depends on you, your life and the accessibility of family and friends.

Many years ago we were seduced by how happy our closest friends were living in a small village in the Lake District and we nearly succumbed. Then we realised that our interests were entirely different to theirs and within six months we would be climbing the walls with boredom because we would have little or no access to any of our usual pursuits. So we stayed where we were and have never regretted it.

Sit down and think about how you live your life, what you want from where you live, what you enjoy doing and start from there. One woman's meat is another's poison.

I'd suggest the Sussex coast - it's near your parents and London, and from London you have easy access to everywhere else.

And the weather's better than Warrington!

Llandudno. Beautiful coastline with huge beaches, large shopping area; vibrant social structure; excellent public transport system with trains and buses; international theatre forum (Venue Cymru); loads of places of interest (Great and Little Orme to name but 2); easy access to Snowdonia National Park and a full calendar of events ranging from Victorian themed weekends to transport rallies and Welsh Male Voice Choirs.

Well not coastal but lots of rivers and canals the East Midlands has beautiful countryside and lovely villages and market towns (I would advocate living in a market town as you get all the facilities but not the busyness of a city). House prices are very good but are rising at 12% so well above average so your investment would grow. Market Harborough is really nice and not as pricey as Rutland which is gorgeous.

Whatever you decide I suggest you rent for at least 6 months before committing. Moving is so expensive you won't want to do it again. Good luck, big decision.

Apparently Leigh On Sea, Essex is the happiest place to live.

I agree with Chewbacca - Llandudno, lovely place to live.

Agree wih Nonnie, rent first!

Keswick is great. Lots to do. Good place to walk to theatre, shops, cinema, church, swimming pool and lake is good for wild swimming. Friendly. We have lived here for 4 years and feel it was one of the best decisions we have ever ,made ( aside from marrying and having our kids!)

A friend was on her way to Scotland when her car broke down in Keswick. Having been miserable in an Ayrshire village for years she took it as a sign and decided to spend the rest of her life there. No regrets!

Sunday Times has the best places to live by the sea in their Home section this week.

We always wanted to live in the Conway valley. Circumstances and family have seen us move to the coast of SW Wales. Beautiful, unspoilt. Wonderful people and good train and road services to Cardiff and beyond. We did stay with family before buying which was a very good idea. Just love it here

When you do move try to make some friends who are younger than you are. We moved 20 years ago and made some lovely friends. Sadly a good few have died other getting older and our social life has shrunk to very little . How I miss the early days when Christmas New Year we were inundated with invitations.

I would opt for north east sussex if I had no responsibilities. Beautiful countryside, "buzzing" villages with busy country pubs and communities where all ages get involved, (not like the Surrey commuter villages). Quick drive to the coast. Endless beautiful walks. But still doable to london for a day out.

Downside: sussex isnt near anywhere but london and sussex. Would be a BIG big drive for us to go see any of our family or friends. And in return they would rarely visit as you couldnt get there and back in a day.

(and kent. Its also near kent. But not easy to get to any other part of the country)

Thank you everyone. Giving me some new ideas which I am researching . I bought the Sunday times. Said St Ives!!! Lol the trouble with coastal places they tend to be somewhat pricey. Keep going it is VERY helpful and about making younger friends. I am 64 so this move is quite key really.

Doesn't it always rain in Keswick?

Not always vwaves, but sometimes it does feel like it.

Llandudno, on the other hand, has its own little micro climate because of the surrounding mountains.

Today's Sunday Times published their top 10 places to live by the sea in Britain which may or may not give you inspiration.

1 Aberdyfl, Gwynedd
2 Amble - Northumberland
3 Burnham Overy Staithe, Norfolk
4 Dornoch, Highlands
5 Heswall, Merseyside
6 Hove, Sussex
7 Kingsbridge, Devon
8 Lyme Regis, Dorset
9 North Berwick, East Lothian

Number 10 is St Ives, but I see you've already lived there.

Bangor area is beautiful inexpensive and has direct trains to London.

Just wondering why this thread is under AIBU?

Looking like somewhere near Bristol might work, coastal aspect and good transport options, train and plane.

Somerset - but don't tell everybody!!!!!

Countryside,coast, access to M5, Bristol airport - a wonderful county.