Please help me with this big decision
#46
Re: Please help me with this big decision
This is unlikely to be an issue in UK. It is a small country, even if you live in a rural location, it still won't be far to the nearest town or city. I live in an extremely rural location, my "next door neighbour" on one side is about a km away with a field between us, but I can still be in central London in 90 minutes and in numerous towns in less. A car may be essential though in a rural location.
#47
Re: Please help me with this big decision
As it happens I used to live in Gloucester when I was at school (age 8-18) and my mother still lives there. It's not a bad area, though caught between Bristol and Birmingham it is inconveniently far from both of them for trips to the theatre or concerts. Cheltenham is arguably a bit "nicer", and perhaps a bit more expensive, certainly for mid-range housing, and it has a small theatre. Both are about two hours from London by train.
#48
Re: Please help me with this big decision
..... This is unlikely to be an issue in UK. It is a small country, even if you live in a rural location, it still won't be far to the nearest town or city. I live in an extremely rural location, my "next door neighbour" on one side is about a km away with a field between us, but I can still be in central London in 90 minutes and in numerous towns in less. A car may be essential though in a rural location.
#49
Re: Please help me with this big decision
Even inside the M25 (London outer beltway), there are pockets with very poor public transport - an area just south of Heathrow had, (when I lived in London, has?) an hourly bus service that stopped around 7pm. Most smaller cities and towns likely have only hub-and-spoke bus services, making it difficult to get from one suburb to another.
#51
Re: Please help me with this big decision
Even inside the M25 (London outer beltway), there are pockets with very poor public transport - an area just south of Heathrow had, (when I lived in London, has?) an hourly bus service that stopped around 7pm. Most smaller cities and towns likely have only hub-and-spoke bus services, making it difficult to get from one suburb to another.
#52
Re: Please help me with this big decision
Compared with the USA, there isn't really anywhere in Britain that is in the 'middle of nowhere'.
Transport, if you haven't got a car, can be an issue. But, some rural areas are surprisingly well served by buses, and some suburban areas only have links to the centre of town, so it is worth checking out public transport wherever you are thinking of moving. There can be a big difference between one village and the next.
Google maps has a public transport option on their directions tool, and I find that a good guide to how long it will take me to get from A to B by bus or train.
I suggest that with the needs and aims you have described, a market-town would be a better option than the city or suburbia. Market towns usually have a strong community spirit, good transport, and cultural attractions.
Six lesser-known market towns that offer some of the best value homes in the country | This is Money
Transport, if you haven't got a car, can be an issue. But, some rural areas are surprisingly well served by buses, and some suburban areas only have links to the centre of town, so it is worth checking out public transport wherever you are thinking of moving. There can be a big difference between one village and the next.
Google maps has a public transport option on their directions tool, and I find that a good guide to how long it will take me to get from A to B by bus or train.
I suggest that with the needs and aims you have described, a market-town would be a better option than the city or suburbia. Market towns usually have a strong community spirit, good transport, and cultural attractions.
Six lesser-known market towns that offer some of the best value homes in the country | This is Money
#53
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 268
Re: Please help me with this big decision
You mention looking in particular for a 'bungalow' but there are a lot of other alternatives. Apartments, maisonettes, small houses. Some properties are specific to communities over 55 years of age that may have other benefits worth considering.
We have been keeping an eye on rental properties in Cornwall for the last year on a budget of $1200. Specifically minimum of two bedrooms and coastal locations and there are loads around within our budget. Thing is, nothing stays on the market for very long, in some cases, days, so its a case of being there and ready to move quickly.
Another issue we are running into is the agents inability to run credit checks on us and accepting our references as our history is in the USA. We have been asked to pay 6 months rent up front in addition to other fees/deposits as a way around this but that can be pretty expensive!.
We have been keeping an eye on rental properties in Cornwall for the last year on a budget of $1200. Specifically minimum of two bedrooms and coastal locations and there are loads around within our budget. Thing is, nothing stays on the market for very long, in some cases, days, so its a case of being there and ready to move quickly.
Another issue we are running into is the agents inability to run credit checks on us and accepting our references as our history is in the USA. We have been asked to pay 6 months rent up front in addition to other fees/deposits as a way around this but that can be pretty expensive!.
#54
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,848
Re: Please help me with this big decision
Here's another area you may wish to explore; the county of Shropshire, which has a border with Wales. The countryside is stunning (some of it is designated as an "area of outstanding natural beauty" and there are market towns in Shropshire.
You may particularly like the lovely and thriving market town of Ludlow with Georgian and black & white timber framed Tudor buildings. There is even a castle in Ludlow
Http://www.ludlow.org.uk
Http://www.visitshropshirehills.co.uk
You may also wish to look at other counties in the west of England/border of Wales which also have pretty towns and countryside, eg. Herefordshire/Monmouthshire.....there is the lovely Forest of Dean (Symonds Yat, Ross-on-Wye).
The further you are away from London, property prices are more reasonable with the exception of cities such as Oxford, Cambridge although parts of Bristol and the small city of Bath are also very expensive for property.
You may particularly like the lovely and thriving market town of Ludlow with Georgian and black & white timber framed Tudor buildings. There is even a castle in Ludlow
Http://www.ludlow.org.uk
Http://www.visitshropshirehills.co.uk
You may also wish to look at other counties in the west of England/border of Wales which also have pretty towns and countryside, eg. Herefordshire/Monmouthshire.....there is the lovely Forest of Dean (Symonds Yat, Ross-on-Wye).
The further you are away from London, property prices are more reasonable with the exception of cities such as Oxford, Cambridge although parts of Bristol and the small city of Bath are also very expensive for property.
#55
Re: Please help me with this big decision
Compared with the USA, there isn't really anywhere in Britain that is in the 'middle of nowhere'.
Transport, if you haven't got a car, can be an issue. But, some rural areas are surprisingly well served by buses, and some suburban areas only have links to the centre of town, so it is worth checking out public transport wherever you are thinking of moving. There can be a big difference between one village and the next.
Google maps has a public transport option on their directions tool, and I find that a good guide to how long it will take me to get from A to B by bus or train.
I suggest that with the needs and aims you have described, a market-town would be a better option than the city or suburbia. Market towns usually have a strong community spirit, good transport, and cultural attractions.
Six lesser-known market towns that offer some of the best value homes in the country | This is Money
Transport, if you haven't got a car, can be an issue. But, some rural areas are surprisingly well served by buses, and some suburban areas only have links to the centre of town, so it is worth checking out public transport wherever you are thinking of moving. There can be a big difference between one village and the next.
Google maps has a public transport option on their directions tool, and I find that a good guide to how long it will take me to get from A to B by bus or train.
I suggest that with the needs and aims you have described, a market-town would be a better option than the city or suburbia. Market towns usually have a strong community spirit, good transport, and cultural attractions.
Six lesser-known market towns that offer some of the best value homes in the country | This is Money
Since I am single and looking to meet people and be active in a community, will these market towns in general be good places for me? I want to be in an area with people of all ages and have opportunities to meet single men as well
#56
Re: Please help me with this big decision
You mention looking in particular for a 'bungalow' but there are a lot of other alternatives. Apartments, maisonettes, small houses. Some properties are specific to communities over 55 years of age that may have other benefits worth considering.
We have been keeping an eye on rental properties in Cornwall for the last year on a budget of $1200. Specifically minimum of two bedrooms and coastal locations and there are loads around within our budget. Thing is, nothing stays on the market for very long, in some cases, days, so its a case of being there and ready to move quickly.
Another issue we are running into is the agents inability to run credit checks on us and accepting our references as our history is in the USA. We have been asked to pay 6 months rent up front in addition to other fees/deposits as a way around this but that can be pretty expensive!.
We have been keeping an eye on rental properties in Cornwall for the last year on a budget of $1200. Specifically minimum of two bedrooms and coastal locations and there are loads around within our budget. Thing is, nothing stays on the market for very long, in some cases, days, so its a case of being there and ready to move quickly.
Another issue we are running into is the agents inability to run credit checks on us and accepting our references as our history is in the USA. We have been asked to pay 6 months rent up front in addition to other fees/deposits as a way around this but that can be pretty expensive!.
Are all properties handled by agents with fees? I would think you could find places listed by their owners.
#57
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 268
Re: Please help me with this big decision
There are also scam artists around claiming to be owners advertising properties just to make a fast buck so be careful.
#58
Re: Please help me with this big decision
As per my usual advice for people moving into the US, you will likely do best finding a private landlord that you can deal face-to-face with, so they can appraise you as a prospective tenant and aren't constrained by some corporate or agency policy.
#59
Re: Please help me with this big decision
I'm not moving into the US, I'd be moving into the UK. Also, I'd kind of like to have a place to live when I get there.
#60
Re: Please help me with this big decision
As per my usual advice for people moving into the US, when moving to the UK you will likely do best finding a private landlord that you can deal face-to-face with, so they can appraise you as a prospective tenant and aren't constrained by some corporate or agency policy.