Looking for nice rural areas to check out

I probably won't be travelling anywhere until next year, but I'm interested in rural areas, or even small towns to check out in the event that I do decide to move to the UK. Most of the southern areas are expensive I hear, but how are the northern/western areas? Or any other areas that you think are wonderful. I'd like to be near enough to a city that I could travel to for work everyday, but not actually live in the city. Descriptions and opinions are greatly appreciated.

Hiya

All major cities and large towns have to some extent nearby rural and semi rural areas, there's no real specific area really. I guess the further north you go the less dense the amount of cities.

Your post is a little vague to be able to help much further - I can only suggest maybe checking out towns/cities which offer decent prospects for your line of work/business and then look on a map for towns/villiages within a radius you're willing to commute to everyday and take it from there.

I'm sure other posters will be able to give specifics in terms of which towns/cities they're near to as well as suggestions!

Good luck !

Dennis! west london & slough uk

I'm still deciding what I would like to do for a career (although now I'm leaning more towards dog grooming), but I was only curious as to personal opinions at the moment, really, as I've never been to the UK before. ;p But thanks for the help.

If you come west, it's more rural as well. But, as Dennis said, there are rural areas nearish to most cities. Is it a big city you're looking to be near, or a town?

Well, I wouldn't mind being nearer a larger city, as I would imagine I would be able to get better business/jobs. But if it's closer to a town, but a larger city isn't too far off, that'd also be fine. Have any suggestions?

Sorry, I don't. I only really know my little corner of the UK, and there are no big towns nearby. Well, 45 minutes or so to the nearest what I consider big town. I was only pointing out that there are loads of rural areas out west.

There's also the West Country -- Cornwall and Devon are nice and there are some cities in those parts. Exeter, Plymouth, Truro, etc.

Have you tried picking up a travel book about the UK? It might give you a better idea of what the different regions are like.

Oh, that's fine. You can list your favourite areas anyhow, as I'd like to check them out sometime. I'll have to look into seeing all of these other towns/cities, too.

I've actually been looking at some of the travel books and I think I've come across a good one at Chapters that I'll be picking up soon. Thanks for the suggestions.

Hi Angelwing

I was just going to ask if you're thinking to move to the UK, is it really possible to do by being a Pet/dog groomer ?! I doubt that would get passed by the immigration requirements. However, I then noticed your Canadian flag and so that makes it substantially easier to move (I've been checking out Canadian immigration for myself as well as US). Sounds like you have the choice to choose careers or professions, I suggest finding out which careers are in demand here (of the top of my head I think Social workers and nurses, some IT types, multi national knowledge lawyers and certain specialties of Docs ar ein demand)

I have family in Toronto area, Vancouver with a few dotted around in other cities and I found whenever I visit there, it's similar to here that you only need to travel a few miles out of the town/city and you have lovely countryside and semi/rural areas. where abouts are you in canada? I'd suggest finding cities/towns similar to where you are now here in the UK.

From your subsequent posts, you need to do alot more research into where you'd like to base yourself. there's lots of factors to consider, good thing is there's lots of info available online. Another good idea would be to make yourself a shortlist of places and maybe pop over to visit say over a 1 or 2 week period to really get a good view.

hope this helps a bit!

Dennis! West London & Slough UK!

I know dog grooming is huge over here, and the money is excellent. I've been looking around to see if it's the same in the UK, but so far I haven't had much luck. And yes, it would be easier for me to move because I'm Canadian. It's finally paying off.

I have family in Toronto area, Vancouver with a few dotted around in other cities and I found whenever I visit there, it's similar to here that you only need to travel a few miles out of the town/city and you have lovely countryside and semi/rural areas. where abouts are you in canada? I'd suggest finding cities/towns similar to where you are now here in the UK.

This is great. Currently, I'm in Manitoba, just outside of Winnipeg.

From your subsequent posts, you need to do alot more research into where you'd like to base yourself. there's lots of factors to consider, good thing is there's lots of info available online. Another good idea would be to make yourself a shortlist of places and maybe pop over to visit say over a 1 or 2 week period to really get a good view.

Heh, that's why I'm here. I've yet to travel to the UK, but once I do, I'll have a better idea of where I'd actually like to live. I mainly just wanted suggestions from people that all ready lived over there, to hear their favourite places etc. I do plan on taking a trip that is at least two weeks in length.

Thanks for your help.

I live in Middlewich, Cheshire, in the north west.  About 17 miles from Crewe or Stoke-on-trent and on the train line. We're also only 25 miles from Manchester, again on the train line.

Middlewich is about the cheapest place in the surrounding area.  3 miles away is Holmes Chapel (just off the M-6 exit 18)  5 miles from the motorway is Goostrey - very rural village, on the train line.  Great for a quiet life !!  Then further out is Wilmslow, Alderley edge and Chelford.  I love this area, great for raising kids yet close enough driving distance to shops etc. 

Hope it helps

I've been living in rural Norfolk for the last 10 years, and it has plenty of good points.

Real-estate prices have risen quickly just recently, but it's still cheaper than many other parts of the country.    The county's population density is much lower than the average for England, the air is relatively clean, and the crime-rate is well below the national average.   

Norwich is the largest city in the region, with plenty of varied employment opportunities, yet there are plenty of quieter villages within easy commuting distance.    Although the city can get a little busy at rush-hour, the traffic is still nothing compared to London or other large urban areas.   Outside of the city, the traffic around Norfolk as a whole is much lighter, so travel is more a pleasure than a chore. 

Around this part of the county we also have the Broads, the inland waterways which are popular for boat travel with tourists and make a nice backdrop if you live in the area (although houses which actually back onto the waterways are very expensive). 

Downsides:  Limited work opportunities outside of the main towns, and pay is generally lower than in other areas.  If you're self-employed (as I am), don't expect to be able to charge the same rates as you would in the more urban areas of England -- People just won't pay that much.   

The very rural parts of the county out in the wilds can be a little drab and windswept in winter as you travel down muddy little backlanes (but the summer days of driving along relatively uncongested roads with the windows down makes up for it!).   


http://www.visitnorfolk.co.uk/

http://www.visitnorwich.co.uk/

Thank you both. Any help is appreciated.