UkWinds5353

Thanks for your help. My friends are entrepreneurs and work from home which is a convenience for them and takes much of the pressure off of their move. Their main goal in deciding not to live near London is to have a calm place to raise the kids. Fun music scenes near the burbs are usually more associated with midsize cities here in the States. Places like Nashville, Asheville, New Orleans, ect. Not a easy thing to find a calm suburbia location that has a vibrant music scene within 15 minutes of one's neighborhood in the UK. They might be asking for too much. But as a friend I don't mind asking a few questions on their behalf.

UkWinds5353

Those are on their list. Thanks for the confirmation and will look into them further. Do you think Bristol has a busier nightlife compared to Brighton?

verystormy

brits1

Hi, I would say very much so, Bath, York and Norwich are smaller attractive cities with everything you need. York and Bath are near much larger cities if required ie Bristol and Leeds, Norwich is About 2 hours from London. DurroundiSu areas of all 3 are just lovely, as I am from the North I like my Hills so norwich slightly looses out for me in that score but is much nearer to some wonderful beaches and coastline....But I would still feel a bit isolated in Norwich as getting to and from other cities it's all A roads which might be a blessing to some lol. Good luck

UkWinds5353

My friends are wonderful people but I'm not sure if they are fully prepared for the change in lifestyle. In the states they lived in a nearly 5.000 square foot home and have become very accustomed to the additional space. I think he will do best in accepting the difference in housing options especially if they stick to their target areas. It will be more of a challenge for the wife and kids. I personally lived in Manchester and had such a great time there so I know first hand how budget friendly that area can be for a 500K price range.

Time will tell how determined they are to stick with that price range once on the ground in the UK and actually living there. I think then the reality of it all will help crystalize what are the biggest priorities in selecting a new home. Renting for several months will give them enough time for everything to make sense. But I agree with you that they might want to invest additional funds if their goal is to come close to the amount of space they had in the States. I noticed several special properties on Rightmove but many of them were about 650k-750K range.. Personally, i'd give Scotland another chance.

UkWinds5353

Bristol being near several other cities is a major selling point which could influence their final decision. I wonder if there are ferries which travel from Bristol to Dublin?

Moses2013

In Ireland myself. Irish Ferries/Stena goes from Pembroke to Rosslare and Holyhead to Dublin. Otherwise you have Liverpool - Dublin with P&O but no Bristol. You also have Belfast Route.

christmasoompa

It'll get them a 3 bed detached, or a 4 bed semi in Windsor according to Rightmove? Where I live (near Reading) it would get them a decent family home. Not huge, but ok.

vh3

We are planning to return to the UK in 2020 after 24 years in Canada. We initially thought of relocating to Spain (warmer climate) but decided that as we wanted to be nearer family and friends we would settle back in our native Scotland albeit a totally different area all together. We did re-think out options and looked at Norfolk but again our move is to be closer to family.... Now we have decided that we will move back to Scotland, just not decided where yet and I can tell you that decision has brought us peace.

UkWinds5353

You and your family must be over the moon with excitement that this new chapter will bring to you. How long have you been planning to return back to Scotland and will you be working once back in the UK? Do you have children that will remain back in Canada? Congrats on your decision and I hope it goes exactly the way you plan.

vh3

We have known we wouldn't retire here in Canada for the last couple of years and our family will find out our plans when we vacation next year. If all goes well, we will retire and settle down in August 2020. We don't have children therefore the decision to return was easy but I know we would have felt differently if that had been the case. We would not have changed our experience but now we want to travel to Europe, re investigate Scotland and visit parts of the UK we never did. The core things we miss have never gone away, family friends and humour.

PrairieWriter

West coast of Scotland, of course!

Okay, I'm biased. That's where we're going when we move back next year.

vh3

We are planning a trip back next year. Starting off in Edinburgh, then the Borders up through Dunblane, Crieff and Perth before heading north to visit family. By the end of that trip we should have finalized exactly where do we want to be. We think we know where we will settle but just want to tour around, spend time in each place before making the big decision as to where.

PrairieWriter

Edinburgh is gorgeous! Nicest city in Scotland, I think.

We had viewings lined up all around Ayrshire, Dumfries and also out on the peninsulas. Went to the first two viewings out on Kintyre and fell totally in love with everything about the place (the house, the location, the people, the remoteness, the microclimate etc). So we bought the second house we saw and canceled all the other viewings! Job done! We closed in September and my mum is taking care of the place until we get there next year. I'm very much looking forward to it. My husband is an artist (oil paints) and there's just endless inspiration, even in crummy weather. I am a writer, so we're both self employed, which is a definite bonus when you're that far out. Internet is only 5mbps, but should be upgraded to inland speeds by mid 2020 (according to BT). Let the adventures begin!

I hope you find a beautiful home in a perfect location for you! It's a big step, but hey, Scotland is a great country, isn't it.

vh3

Wow, that is amazing finding your own idea of heaven on the second viewing... We are very much looking forward to returning home and know that where ever we decide there is no bad choice.