Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

For ukwinds, the OP:

it strikes me this would have been a lot easier if your friends asked their own questions and not risked losing something in the interpretation. Just a thought.

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

Depends on what you count as a 'very small property'. This one is in a village near to me (so amazing schools and within that distance of London), and a 4 bed detached seems a reasonable size to me for that budget - https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property...-67355218.html

And I live in one of the priciest bits around London, if they moved to Kent, Essex, etc, they'd get a lot more for their money.

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

I've recently returned from the US to Liverpool and love it. The deciding factor us was the cost of living and the accessibility to national parks such as the Lakes and Snowdonia and being on the coast while still being in a city with plenty of culture and nightlife. South Liverpool has some great options for affordable family housing close to the city centre and close to parks. The city has plenty of cultural events/museums/theatres/music events etc. and it is a short 40 minute train ride to Manchester which offers even more. It's also easy to get to Ireland and the rest of Europe thanks to low cost airlines and the ferry port. I've lived in the North and South of England including London. If your friends income will not change with regards to their location, you get so much more for your money in the North of England. We can actually get more house for our money here than we could where we were living in the US. I do think it's a personal preference though. I have friends from the South of England who would never entertain the idea of living in Manchester or Liverpool but for me I personally love the atmosphere and the people of the UK's northern cities.

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

That is a very spacious property and how nice it would it be to have a lot wide enough which offers a sense of privacy. They could do a lot worse than that. I think they will miss their house in the States. In most States you can buy a McMansion for about $600K.

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

It's got woods all around it and is on a quiet country lane, about as private as you can get!

They could definitely buy more space for their money elsewhere within the same distance of London though, ours is a pretty pricey area.

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

Hi 3am

Scotland's many upsides are incredibly attractive as a possible pick among the various options in the UK. Music venues, history, affordable homes are just a few reasons to consider Scotland. The only major concern might be the aftermath of Brexit and if Scotland will remain in the UK. I had not thought about that issue but my friends did mention it as a potential concern moving forward.. But who knows that might not ever become a real problem even if a hard Brexit does occur.
May I ask why your friends would never consider living in Manchester or Liverpool?

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

My friends have eliminated London as a potential place to live because of budget concerns. But the good news is they have done quite a bit of research on their own and have narrowed down their target areas to Bristol, Brighton, Kent and Manchester is still in the running. They are leaving for the UK in two more weeks for a nice long vacation. Good for them. I like to see people go after their goals.

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

Have them join BE. :thumbup:

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

That was a weird reply as 3AM didn't mention Scotland at all?:blink:

I have to agree with him/her as i think the 'scene' in Liverpool and Manchester is amazing. Yet you are within an hour of stunning countryside. Easy enough to travel in to the two cities for any musical events etc. Plus you have the seaside on your doorstep . Doesn't matter what we all say though. It's how conformable this couple will feel when they get there. I hope it all works out fo them

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

I mentioned to both of them about the great folks on this website over a few months ago. They have all their legal concerns squared away but I think reading about the various experiences of other expats would be very helpful. There are always several details a person hasn't thought of.

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

Oh my gosh that was weird. Not sure where I got that from. I may have been multitasking. My apologies!

My friends have narrowed their search, and Manchester is still a potential pick. They really haven't mentioned Liverpool but I have. I think they want to be in central or south UK. Two more weeks and they'll be over there. Happy wife happy life. If my friend's wife is happy so will he be.

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

Hi A3am

I've heard so many opinions about the differences between the north vs south regions in the UK. Some people say the folks in the north still retain a more open demeanor which not only makes them more approachable to a stranger but also somewhat friendlier. And on the other hand quite a few say the south has the best opportunities and can be just as friendly in small towns. I know people from London that believe there is only one place in the UK worth calling home. Maybe bias toward bigger cities might be the explanation for their thinking. My friends are going to need time visiting various places to figure out what fits best. My experience in Manchester is why I have a preference there. I think they'll figure it out in short order.

I will admit it does surprise me when I hear people say they could only live in a city that has it all like NYC or London. Both are wonderful cities and I have lived in NYC. But after a while it can get tiresome living in a concrete Jungle that has a pace which is always dialed up to Mach 10.

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

I'm a Lancashire lass but would recommend Burton-on-Trent, Lichfield, Staffordshire moorlands and the Derbyshire dales areas. Stunning countryside, lots to see and do, good transport links and very friendly people. Wish we'd never left!

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

For the price of a semi Down South -

https://search.savills.com/property-...bglrsgls170001

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

I totally agree about the beauty of that area. I wonder if my friends could adapt to being in a different suburbia. Closest city is Birmingham and they haven't mentioned that particular city as a potential pick. I do believe the condensed size of the UK will bring into focus the many places that could work for them. Here in America you can travel 8 hours by car and still be in the same state. How do you think housing prices are? My friends actually lost a little money by selling their home early because they wanted to make everything simple as possible once it's time to move to the UK. Housing prices are still going up in the States in the vast majority of markets.

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

Same in the UK, but it's called the M25. ;)

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

WoW!

It's stunning what you can get for the money in Scotland. I'm amazed more people aren't drawn there by the affordability not to mention the culture and nightlife.
An actual house built of stone and it's insanely reasonably priced. Do you see as many houses made of stone in central and south UK that are affordable?
Btw, I will send the picture of that house to my friends, just as a reminder. That is a seven figure priced home in the states and the house would be only partially built of stone in America. More than likely the front of the structure.

My friends would be bowled over if they could buy a stone house in their desired area. For their budget that might be asking too much.

I am curious if a house made of stone has any different structural insulation quality concerns than a house made of brick in terms of quality of life for the inhabitants? You would think a stone house would be more insulated in winter but might be a bit hotter in summer. But maybe I'm wrong.

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

Lol.

My friends are going to truly appreciate the minimum travel time that is required from point A to point B in Europe. Glasgow to London takes about 8 hours. Freaking amazing!

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

G;asgpow to London by train is less than 5 hours Leave the gas-guzzler at home !

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

That train must be moving at a 90 mph speed. Talk about your hair on fire.

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

Leave Glasgow Central 05.50 arrive London Euston 11/02

other trains are similar

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

There are times when using the train is simple and efficient especially when going into a huge city like London. Fewer parking cost and concerns not to mention traffic headaches. But that said I still enjoy driving my truck on a nice long trip. There is something freeing about being on the open road even when doing a shorter trip of less than 500 miles. I'm sure my friends are going to make the most of the close proximity of the UK to the rest of eastern and western Europe. They have done several cross country trips here in the states. 6000 miles traveling distance from Florida to California and back they've done multiple times. And they have driven from north to south in South America. I'm sure traveling through Europe is going to feel like a much easier journey.

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

Now ask what the ticket price is for Glasgow to London... :blink:

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

I sit corrected, thank you for that. I had honestly expected it to be an awful lot more.

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

What a bargain, especially considering that first class includes food and beverages. Or it did on my last trip down to Kings Cross anyway.

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

Can't complain about that price. I guess the key is booking as far in advance as possible, with maybe some kind of railcard as well?

My original thought that it would be a lot more expensive was based on effectively a 'walk in', or at best booked the day prior to travelling.

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

That is not bad considering the high fuel tax levied on gas in the UK. Of course here in the States that amount of fuel price would cause riots in the Streets. I'm thinking gas must be about $5.50 a gallon adjusted for liters $1.40. Current price per gallon in the states in my region of the country is $1.99 per gallon. That is the reason why so many people prefer to drive trucks and suv's instead of cars.

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

Much of Europe is very smart about using Mass Transit instead of driving personal vehicles. The shorter travel distances in addition to federal investment into buses and trains does facilitate less need for a personal car in the UK.
America is so massive and every state and city has the right to spend local funds on the priorities it deems necessary. And Mass Transit by design tend to work better in larger cities that have big populations and a sizable tax base which affords well laid out transit systems. That pretty much leaves out 80% of America because much of the country are rural towns and small cities. And the federal government HATES to spend money on infrastructure projects because obviously that would make everyone depended upon government and less self reliant lol.
Those are only some of the reasons why America is a car ownership country. People love their cars here. The feeling of driving a Dodge Ram Truck truly is pure joy!

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

I've spent time in Houston actually lived there for less than one year and know the Woodlands area. Very cool part of Houston metro. My only issue with Houston was how massive a city it is. Felt like you could drive for one hour and still be in Houston and the traffic drove me crazy. But the people were awesome they are quite friendly imo.

Driving a car in the States is baked into the way things are done in America. Most States either can't afford to pay for a well laid out Mass Transit like NYC or many tax payers in those states will not willingly support seeing their taxes go up to pay for a bigger better transit system. I remember when Obama gave federal money to several states in order to pay for Mass Transit linking up cities like Orlando to Tampa, building tunnels linking New Jersey to Manhattan and the state government contribution was going to be minimum, and still those states refused to accept the money. The libertarian mentality is sometimes far too strong in the States.

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

Where are they going to find the money to build that linkage Tampa to Orlando?

Obama provided slightly over one billion dollars to build that rail link but when Florida's governor refuse to accept the infrastructure funds, that decision automatically triggered a clause in the agreement which made that money available to other states that were interested in accepting money to build projects in order to stimulate job growth in those communities.
Basically it was a political decision that some republican leaders didn't want to help build economic growth(connected to the stimulus money) in their states for fear Obama would get credit for the accomplishment. Because of politics the main mode of travel within central Florida is still personal vehicle. One of the biggest tourism cities in the world and we still don't have lite rail connecting the major cities. Insane in the membrane!

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

That is a promising read, and this project does in my opinion have a good chance of becoming reality. And let me also say I'm glad it's a European company attempting to put lite rail in Central Florida instead of just an Americans company trying to get it done solo. It probably would never happen if it was the ladder. It's very difficult to encourage change in thinking in medieval America. This company is trying to get it done with less than 2 billion dollars which is kinda questionable considering all the crazy overages they will surely encounter. Obama's 3 billion would have gotten the job done especially right after the Great recession when land leases would have been much much cheaper compared to today's prices. This project is not a done deal yet. But lets hope for the best.

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

https://media.rightmove.co.uk/dir/cr...ax_476x317.jpg
I sent this picture to my friends Titled "Charming Hammy Down".

Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
 

My friends have seen a few homes in Berkshire. Any opinions on the Berkshire area and particularly Ascot?