Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

I know what you mean. It's becoming very rare to find a place where people have the upmost respect for others including a complete stranger. Now days that is definitely more of a township(aka Village) thing. I grew up in a place like that where pretty much everyone knew each other and you gave people the benefit of the doubt. And if you got in trouble as a kid someone scolded you then told your parents about your behavior. There are still a few small towns and townships where you can forget to lock your front door and you're as safe as it you had. That's a nice way to live.

My friends are city people that prefer living in a calm area of the suburbs. Maybe they'll find that near Oxford, Bristol or possibly even Brighton. They will be in the UK for about five weeks which is plenty of time to make some magic happen.

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

Not taking anything away from those other countries that you mentioned but Belgium was a very good choice.. Cool people, awesome culture and amazing sights. But that's just for starts. The food is ridiculously good. You did quite well for your selves. And actually I've heard nothing but positive comments about the Belgians. The one's I've met were quite out going and quick to buy you a drink. A few wanted to stay in touch which is nice, but I hate Facebook. It feels pointless.

I am curious...do you miss Switzerland and the lifestyle?
My friends are definitely looking at the Thames valley area which is quite large and I think includes Berkshire and Oxford.
What is your opinion of Upper Basildon?

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

You and me both. ;)

Three and a bit months in, the answer has to be a resounding no, apart from three sets of immediate neighbours, that is. The lifestyle here is to my mind a whole lot better, everything feels much more accessible, we have family and friends in proximity, the local restaurants are superb and one learns the traffic flows fairly quickly, not that we have need to go in to the big city that often. Maybe the last 18 months of planning and executing 'project move' had gotten to both of us a bit, but I feel that any residual stress is now peeling off in chunky layers. I was back in Geneva for three days last week, and simply couldn't wait to get home.

I have no knowledge of Upper Basildon at all, so sorry, can't help there. Just a case of too many villages, not enough time ;). My stomping grounds along the Thames were from Henley down through Hurley, Marlow, Cookham and Taplow.

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

You have a Merry merry Christmas. I hope Santa is extra good to you.

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

That'll be somewhere in Hertfordshire then? :lol:

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

I had a couple hot totties and went to bed early last night. Hertfordshire huh. Anything good there?

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

Sitting to the north of London, it's prime commuter land. I don't know it that well, apart from Watford (for football and music) and Knebworth (for music).

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

Sounds interesting. Any area with a decent music scene is a major plus for them. My friends are staying in Bristol Monday thru Wednesday , then over to Oxford metro area for 3 nights. That should give them excellent insight into what places to eliminate. They will do day trips into the surrounding townships. The following week they will be in Manchester and Liverpool. Then one week in Europe. Lucky them!

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

Just want to wish everyone a VERY Happy New Year!

Here's hoping you have great success with your New Year's resolutions.

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

Best wishes to you and yours as well,

Resolutions? End February at best. :nod:

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

A very happy New Year to you to UK Winds. We are still enjoying our family over here in Portugal from the USA. The weather has been astoundingly good. Temps 18/ 20 deg's ( ie warm) Reminds me of the reasons we moved further south from the Netherlands ( and definitely UK) in our retirement :lol: My ED can't believe that she is waking up to sunshine pouring into her bedroom every morning, that she can step outside into the garden and sunbathe in the garden chairs by 10 am.Seattle more or less missed summer last year so she is delighted to still find it here, as are we.
You must keep us informed about your friends final decision on where to live. It will be fascinating

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

Portugal sounds very appealing! There must be a large British Expat community living there. Kinda hard to not like warm weather and friendly people. I wonder if there is a large American expat community there? Glad your family is having such a fun time.

My friends are having a blast in the west country and she is really loving the people. They spent Christmas in Brighton visiting with family, and the last week in Bristol. So far so good. Based on their emails it would seem that Bristol went well. They did a few outings from there. Very nice place but I sense Brighton was a bigger hit with them than Bristol metro. They are leaving for Birmingham today for 10 days and that includes trips to the Oxford area. They sent me a link to their hotel in the Birmingham area and the only thing I can say is...wow. It's very impressive with a seriously medieval architecture and the daily price is far better than something comparable here in the states. Except for eating out and gasoline, they both feel the UK is cheaper in general than much of the States. He is doing all the driving because it's freaking her out to sit on the right side of the car and pass traffic lol. But to be honest I think that juxtaposition does take a little getting use to. Everyone thinks that she and he are both Americans. Guess he'll have to explain where he is from quite a few times.
I look forward to their impressions of the Midlands.

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

My friends have really enjoyed their time in the Birmingham area. Very diverse with so many points of interests and things to do and homes are quite affordable. Oxford went extremely well and I think his wife favored that city the most. They leave for France, Belgium and the Netherlands for about 12 days on Tuesday. Then on return they will be in Manchester and Liverpool. My friend told me that he feels more alive, and so excited about their future in the UK and she is loving it so far. I'm very happy for them.

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

Interesting news. My friends are feeling a very strong reaction to being in the Midlands area. They decided to do a quick day trip to the Manchester area and based on early impressions the Midlands has more of a comfortable feel to them both. She loves the homes in Oxford but outer Birmingham and Manchester might offer the best of all worlds. They wouldn't be that far from his family in Scotland and the nightlife is excellent in both Birmingham and Manchester and living on the outskirts could work quite well.
My wife is getting excited about this news. That's a whole other issue.

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

Alderley Edge, Prestbury area of South Manchester are lovely areas. Close to M6/M56/M62, close to Manchester Airport.