Where in the UK might fit our needs?

Thanks to all for the additional information.  It does seem that there are plenty of houses in our price range scattered all about the UK, though not too much in the extreme Southern areas.  Looks like what we would have to do is identify the areas where the more affordable property is first (and you all have already helped with that) and then simply select the best of those areas based on our other criteria.  But it all seems doable with a few compromises.  I look forward to some scouting trips up that way (though I'm not eager to drive there.)

Hi Alistair,

Firstly to find out some useful information about the areas you are interested in I recommend newcomer link: http://www.upmystreet.com [nonactive] .  This gives details on crime, levels of education, socio-economic profiles, levels of civic pride and so on for your particular postcode...  A bit tricky to navigate, full of darn adverts but a good source of info nevertheless.

As far weather  in the UK it is probably quite a bit more detestable than you are used to, but as a general guide, wetter/colder the further north you go.  Edinburgh is a full overcoat colder than London for example. 

The previous 2 summers we have had have both been lousy, with extensive rain and flooding in places like Hull. That reminds me - check if your house is built in an area liable to flooding.

I'm originally from Wales, but my experience of hospitals/medical/dental centres in Scotland where I live has been excellent.

I gather that you would probably be happier further out of the city than  in the centre.  So long as you have some means of transport that should be no problem. I'm biased - I can't stand taking the bus.

Right now would be a pretty good time to buy a property for those that can afford it. My only advice would be to do some serious research and look for the bargains.  House prices across the board have taken a dive, so there must be some great deals around right now.

Well, I live here in *sunny* Northumberland, and I have to say, I really love it here. It's beautiful, people are friendly, small villages with very little crime, and not too far from Newcastle for work if need be. You might find a house like that here for that price, though the big yard might have to be a compromise... there aren't too many houses in that price range in the UK that I am aware of that offer giant gardens. However, there is a big, beautiful, totally uncrowded beach where we walk our dog 4 times per day which is WAY better than just hanging around the garden any old day! There are 2 playgrounds, a community center with Olympic pool, and 2 paddling pools for children nearby, and we live in a small village. I have received very good healthcare in this part of the country, but I haven't had any major issues since I have been here. Overall, this area is lovely, and there is a lot of open space here. As far as weather goes, it can be pretty dramatic, but I haven't found it unbearable. Anyway, no use in complaining about it because it changes in 10 minutes anyway!    In one day, I have seen sun, clouds, rain, snow, hail and sun again - so you never know what to expect! It is sunny here in spring and summer, but rarely in winter. But I guess that isn't much surprise. Overall, I would say this is a nice, safe, friendly place to raise a family. Good luck with your search!

While considering places, don't forget that U.K. Google Maps now has street views available for a few areas.  It's still only the larger cities so far, but Norwich is on there.

Thought I'd give a quick update, but seems many of peoples post here have gone missing (including my original starter post) so reading the thread will likely leave most confused.

At any rate, we're heading to the States in January for 2 weeks (my first trip back in years) and upon our return will be looking to move to the UK for a year to see if we like it.  Our economic situation has changed and so has our criteria a bit and with the lower UK home prices it seems to have opened up some option, judging by the listings I see on Rightmove.  

From our research, we're thinking perhaps somewhere in South Gloucestershire, just North of Bristol or perhaps around Bath might suit us.  That area has relatively low unemployment, I've see scores of detached homes in our price range, the weather is supposed to be some of the better in the UK in that area (sunnier than most parts) and while Bristol has some crime issues, the surrounding towns in commuting distance seem to be low on crime.  Also, Thornbury was rated as one of the best places in the UK to raise kids (we have a 2 year old.)  Good access to some rural areas and nature, etc.

Having said all that, I've never actually been there so who knows, but that's why we'll keep our current abode while we rent in England for a year and if it doesn't work out then we're just out lots of money with another interesting story to tell.    But you only live once and we want to find out for sure one way or another if the UK is a better fit than Germany before the little one starts school and we put down roots until she (and another planned one) finish high school.  

Anyway, any thoughts on Bristol/Bath and the surrounding region?  Is what I've read all a load of crappola or is it pretty decent place to live?  Norwich is still in the running but I don't think we'd head too far North for a variety of reasons.  

Anyway, any thoughts on Bristol/Bath and the surrounding region?  Is what I've read all a load of crappola or is it pretty decent place to live? 

Somerset!  Yay!  I live just south of Bath and Bristol, and this area is lovely.  I'm a bit surprised you were able to find affordable housing because it tends to be expensive here (Bath is the most expensive city in the UK except London, I think I remember reading) but you can't fault the scenery, it's a reasonable day trip from London, Bath is gorgeous, Bristol is interesting, and there's decent employment opportunities.  There are lots of lovely villages that are within commuting distance to both Bristol and Bath. 

You can PM me if you have more specific questions. 

Inside Bath itself can be quite pricey but commuting by car into some of the surrounding villages it didn't seem too bad.  

I'll likely hit you up with some more specific questions after we return from our holiday and really get set to come take a look around.  Thanks for the offer. 

This is a good area from what I have seen.

Watch for a few areas north of Bristol because recently they have had bad flooding in some of the smaller towns.

Another memory I have of that area is the traffic queues on the motorways.

Thanks for the flooding tip, I'll keep that in mind for sure.  I've read about terrible traffic in and around Bath, so that could be an issue.  I guess a lot of people commute to Bristol from there as well.

I love South Gloucestershire, it's beautiful!

I lived in Bath for 2.5 years. It's lovely, but pretty pricey. And the traffic is brutal if you have to drive through Bath. When I first lived there, I was in Oldfield Park, but then later moved out to Weston, just behind the RUH. Weston was a good area for commuting to Bristol as I didn't have to go through Bath. Access to the Cotswold Way walking trail was across the road. There are some lovely villages between Bath and Bristol, like Bitton. If you wanted to go further out, Chew Magna is a lovely village and I really like Wells. It's bigger than a village, but smaller than Bath. I had a work colleague who lived in Bradford-on-Avon and he would commute to Bristol daily on the train.

I don't have a kid, so I can't really comment on living in any of those areas with children, but Bath has a wonderful park (Royal Victoria Park) with an awesome playground. It was always jammed on nice days!

Thank you Bmore_2_UK for your input.  You guys are making feel pretty good about that general area.      

And of course we'll be renting to start so if we like UK generally but not the particular area we're in, we'll be free to up and move to another location.

Another vote for South Gloucestershire/Bristol here - I was born in one of the Bristol hospitals and grew up in Thornbury - it's a lovely town . I have been living in Bristol (Redland) for the past 10 months, but I'm actually moving back to my parents' house in Thornbury this weekend!

Also, Thornbury was rated as one of the best places in the UK to raise kids (we have a 2 year old.)  Good access to some rural areas and nature, etc.

Thornbury is nice because it's relatively close to Bristol, but it's still far enough in the countryside that you are surrounded by nature. If I walk 10 minutes in one direction from my parents' house, I reach the high street with shops/pubs/restaurants, but if I walk 10 minutes in the other direction, I'm in the middle of fields and countryside .

The only thing I'm not so keen on about the town is the high street in the evenings (especially Friday/Saturday nights), because there has been an increase in teenagers hanging out on the streets, drinking and making nuisances of themselves. However, having said that, the crime rate is really low, with the most serious crime being vandalism of shop windows or the odd burglary here and there. I think there has been only one murder in the area in the past 20 years (and that happened at an old country home a few miles away - and was committed by a family member of the victim)! The schools in the area are very nice - Thornbury has 6 primary schools and one secondary school, plus another secondary school a couple of miles away and they are considered some of the best in South Gloucestershire .

Thank you Ksand24 for your post.  It really sounds like the kind of area we would enjoy.  Confirms everything I've been reading about the region.  Regarding the high street crime in Thornbury, that's not good, but wouldn't directly affects us since we're parents of a young one and are always home early in the evening. 

How is the public transport from the villages into Bristol in general?  My wife doesn't drive (never learned and has always lived in good public transport areas) so it would need to be a place where she could get to work via bus, train, tram or whatever.  I suspect she'll eventually learn, but she's not really keen on it.  I'll have a car though.

Regarding the high street crime in Thornbury, that's not good, but wouldn't directly affects us since we're parents of a young one and are always home early in the evening.  

Yeah, it's not something you really notice unless you drive through the high street at night or decide to go to the pub/a restaurant. Everyone in my family is over 18 now (my youngest brother just started university and my other brother (age 24) and I (26) have just moved back due to lack of money/saving money on rent), but we very rarely go out into the high street in the evenings anyway - Thornbury is not exactly a thriving place for adult socialising (in terms of pubs/clubs/bars/cinemas etc.), so if we go out, we head into the centre of Bristol instead.

How is the public transport from the villages into Bristol in general?  My wife doesn't drive (never learned and has always lived in good public transport areas) so it would need to be a place where she could get to work via bus, train, tram or whatever.  I suspect she'll eventually learn, but she's not really keen on it.  I'll have a car though.

There are no trains in Thornbury (there is an old train line, but it hasn't been in use for decades... it was closed to passengers in 1944!) - the nearest stations are Bristol Parkway (about 8 miles away) or Bristol Temple Meads (about 15 miles away), but there are regular bus services (one of which stops at Bristol Parkway). Thornbury has a couple of local routes which just service the town itself and are mostly used by pensioners who can't walk very far to do their grocery shopping (everyone over 60 gets free bus travel across the UK). There are also regular buses into Bristol city centre (every 30 minutes - but only every other bus goes to the Cribbs Causeway shopping centre) with First Bus and also a couple of services with Wessex which go into Bristol via the local villages.

If you have any more questions about the area, please don't hesitate to ask .

There are also regular buses into Bristol city centre (every 30 minutes - but only every other bus goes to the Cribbs Causeway shopping centre) with First Bus and also a couple of services with Wessex which go into Bristol via the local villages.

If you have any more questions about the area, please don't hesitate to ask .

Not knowing the area, does this mean there is good access to Bristol or not so good?