Being originally from Leeds, we decided to move back from Canada to a different part of the UK. We are now renting in Malvern, Worcestershire which is very sheltered and most days the area is 5 degrees warmer than Leeds which makes the summer a lot longer.

Is this were you are going to buy the new build?

You know, I've been surprised. I'm from Leeds too and I've been monitoring the weather in the Lake District and Leeds. I found out it's generally 4-6 degrees warmer in Kendal than Leeds too. Right now (evening) it's 61 degrees in Kendal and 57 degrees in Leeds. I guess Leeds is just a chilly place! (of course, Kendal is a rainy place so there's that...)

Thanks for the info so far guys. Malvern is interesting. I will try and have a look later

I will probably buy closer to Worcester because there are more amenities, better transport links, etc. Malvern is more of a retirement area. For those who want a rural property or to be in a small town, there is an abundance of decent places to buy that are much cheaper than Malvern.

Yes, but Malvern is 5C warmer not 5F.

Oh right! If only I was prepared to move south I could be toasty warm

I keep an eye on Norwich as we once considered Norfolk and it's usually only 5-7 degrees F warmer than Leeds there. Maybe that's the coast making a difference.

Where for example?

Cheers

Obviously this depends on the property, but the Malvern Hills form the border with Herefordshire and if you were to fan out towards the Welsh border then you would come across a multitude of places. Best to go on Google Earth or Google Maps to check the places. Herefordshire is not well served with motorways so it tends to be cheaper. There are quite a few places also if you head towards Ross-on-Wye. What sort of place are you looking for?

Property prices also drop substantially if you go into the Wolverhampton area but this is not for everyone. I will refrain from saying it is a dump.

In terms of value for money, location, and build quality, these are the best apartments I have seen in the area. This property is set into the slopes of the Malvern Hills which happen to be igneous rock and therefore unikely to move or slide. I would expect that, in better times, these properties would sell like hot cakes:

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-...?premiumA=true

Hey John, You have previously posted this but thank you for the reminder.
I think I found that this building had been a hospital or something.
I wonder how close a bus stop would be.
Cheers
PS Are you still looking?

I believe the bus stop is about half a mile away. I am looking at buying in the Worcester area. I prefer a house with a garden rather than an apartment. I only posted it again because I have looked at numerous properties since my original post and still think these are the best, at least for those who want an apartment. This is really a prime location though for those who like it quiet.

The price was reasonable I would say and the decorating in the model is very attractive but because you have seen them and are impressed that says something.
Someone posted that they had moved back to the UK and were living in an apartment in the Isle of Wight and they want out of the apartment for the same reasons you give. They want some green.
There is something to be said for both options. I look at the apartment with the option of leaving for an extended time and not have the concern for the maintenance.
No decision yet.
Cheers

Something to think about conceptually Cheers:

When I did my briefing last week upon my return I mentioned that my B&B host in Cirencester had said his busiest month so far this year was January. He explained that there was new significant business activity at the Cotswolds Airport from Lufthansa Engineering plus the #2 agricultural college in the Country plus other peripheral businesses due to improved access and the level of skilled workforce available in the area.

It is not everybody's cup of tea but I think that if one owned a leasehold flat there for example for which ongoing external maintenance is covered under the lease/maintenance, in light of the level of year-round transient business, it should be relatively easy to come and go as one pleases (within reason) and let the place out when not there, subject to the terms of the lease.

When in Folkestone to watch the golf at Sandwich we found a similar attractive old quarter area in the town where one could do occupying/letting while gaining access to the sea, the Continent thru Dover and the fast line into St Pancras. Check http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-...-19613529.html and http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-...-19361208.html, both in The Bayle - perhaps a diamond in the rough. These two are freehold so one would need somebody on hand for caretaking/management of some sort.

Though generally catagorised as a dump ( a la Wolverhampton), Folkestone has benefited from the influx of commuters using the fast line to London and the quality level of shopping, restaurants and the art movement is definitely on the UP so it seems to have far more to offer than Ashford, for example.

I'm sure there are other locations that offer similar potential/flexibility to those of us not necessarily intending to return to the Uk whole hog for one reason or another.

Those are beautiful and such a bargain! They would cost twice that where I'm looking.