Where to move in the UK

I got a Dilema

Basically we are looking to move to the Uk, but unsure what's a good area to live on, that it's not overly expensive.

I have a Web based biz, so wont be looking for a Job.

Trying to find a nice quiet area, where to raise the kids and where one can still purchase a terraced home for 50-70K£ .. but still be a drive away from a big town .. after all, we do need shopping

Any advises ?

Null

I'm assuming your hubby is a Brit, where did he live before?  Has he any friends in different areas that could help him?

Or maybe your Mom/Dad are Brits, in which case what where do/did they live?

I check real estate pretty regularly...haven't seen anyplace where terraced homes are still so cheap...but the north is less expensive than the south, if that helps.  Worth a look, anyway, you might find yourself a great deal!

And wlecome! 

Hi

Actually I'm the hubby

No, my wife is American and I'm Portuguese.

I got fedup with the US and started looking to return to EU, but the wife only speaks english, so we decided that the Uk woudl be a good place for us (hey, if it doesnt work, one can allway go back).

So, no ties to anybody or any place in the Uk .. I looked in reagions like Lincoln .. they had my pricerange .. but was wonderign what else is there

Null

Golly I dont know of anywhere where a terraced (even a mid) is as low as £70,000. I like in a little depressed ex-mining town near B'ham and Wolv'ton with good links and generally a nice way of life (its not rough here or anything) and a mid terraced is around £90k I think. And thats a beat up 2 beder for sure - lots of revamping needed. Even flats here are running £50 - 60k for a one bed in a bad area. Almost bought a nice 2 bed for £90k three years ago - now that'll be well in excess of £130k. Might want to up your budget a bit. Good luck.

Sarah

The North East (Sunderland, Newcastle) sprung to my mind as being the most likely ... and indeed checking online they seem to be about the lowest cost housing in England or Wales.  A very long way from London, though ... read carefully the posts of other expats in that area, get in touch with them.  You might feel isolated.

Other places I came up with .. Swansea, Skelmersdale, Workington, Carlisle ... suggestion - get hold of a map and try a few places in http://www.rightmove.co.uk, asking for a good area around the place you put in.

Anywhere towards the South East will probably be way above the prices you have quoted.  For example, we live 100 miles from London, and 3 bedroom accom.s around here start at about twice the price you quoted.

Will you be visiting to look at the areas?  Suggest you do - you might hit on something that's a real gem of an area for you, even if it's not what others might like.  Also watch school catchment areas and (seeing as you're running a web business) broadband availability. Not yet universal (and won't be universal for quite a time), you can check the postcode at the BT site, Telewest site and NTL site to look at the options that are or are not open on this.

Well, if I have to upped a little, I will .. it's all about the deal

Thanks for the info on your area

Well being the american I had to ask my DF what a terraced home is..he informs me that his is one. (see how little I know)

He lives in the Northwest (Cheshire)  and you can still find houses around there for that price range...but the area is growing and prices rising...soooo might want to shop quickly
I will be there in August...and have visited a couple of times and think it is a lovely area.

Good luck through the process..feel free to ask as you stumble on questions..I know this site has helped me a lot.

Helena

a link to check out

http://www.ukpropertyshop.co.uk/s/estate_agents_Cheshire.shtml
a lot in Crew starting at 46,500

One thing - if you can find a real beat up house or flat that needs rennovation in an up-and-coming area or already popular area in your price range, you might be able to get a home improvement mortgage and shower what could be a lovely home with some TLC. Doing that is very popular here at the moment so the lower priced homes go very fast, but its very worth it. especially if you can do the rennovation quickly and then sell it on while the house prices are still quite high. just be carefull not to rennovate more than youre neighbours! 

best of luck and keep us posted!

Will you be visiting to look at the areas?  Suggest you do - you might hit on something that's a real gem of an area for you, even if it's not what others might like.  Also watch school catchment areas and (seeing as you're running a web business) broadband availability. Not yet universal (and won't be universal for quite a time), you can check the postcode at the BT site, Telewest site and NTL site to look at the options that are or are not open on this.

Before I ask for the house price, I do ask if broadband is there

And yes, actually I am moving alone to the Uk in a couple of months (just going to rent somethign cheap and small for myself), so I can scour .. once I find a suitable place, then the wife and kids will follow.

Thanks for the Input, much appraciated.

One thing - if you can find a real beat up house or flat that needs rennovation in an up-and-coming area or already popular area in your price range, you might be able to get a home improvement mortgage and shower what could be a lovely home with some TLC. Doing that is very popular here at the moment so the lower priced homes go very fast, but its very worth it. especially if you can do the rennovation quickly and then sell it on while the house prices are still quite high. just be carefull not to rennovate more than youre neighbours! 

best of luck and keep us posted!

Thanks .. I'm actually quite handy myself, when we bought our home in FL, I started stripping floors, painting walls .. heck, it's the Portuguese in me .. I just saw the kitchen on the house you have for sale .. I love it, wish I coudl afford it .. but with the webhosting market precarious as it is right now, I am very afraid to get myself into big loas .. already saved the PIC for future improvement ideas

Null

Well being the american I had to ask my DF what a terraced home is..he informs me that his is one. (see how little I know)

Dont feel bad, I only recently found our myself.

a link to check out

http://www.ukpropertyshop.co.uk/s/estate_agents_Cheshire.shtml
a lot in Crew starting at 46,500

thanks for the link, checking it out

Null

You could also have a look at www.findaproperty.co.uk to get an idea of prices/areas.  If your wife is used to Florida, the north of England might not be her cup of tea, also if you are wanting to have easy access to travel around Europe, you will want to be further south or if up North close to a main airport.

You could also have a look at www.findaproperty.co.uk to get an idea of prices/areas.  If your wife is used to Florida, the north of England might not be her cup of tea, also if you are wanting to have easy access to travel around Europe, you will want to be further south or if up North close to a main airport.

No, my wife is originally from Massachussets .. they hardly have a summer :p

Another great link, thanks

Well if your handy thats even better! I know what you mean about the web hosting biz - my hubby (Big Ridge) is trying to get into it at the moment and its totally hard at the moment. Everything is all set up but no clients! 

Just out of curriosity - do you think it will be easy to move to the UK considering youre from the EU? I dont know anything about EU citizens moving between EU countries. Since Im about to become and EU citizen myself Im pretty interested. Will you require a visa or something?

Well if your handy thats even better! I know what you mean about the web hosting biz - my hubby (Big Ridge) is trying to get into it at the moment and its totally hard at the moment. Everything is all set up but no clients! 

I've actually been doing it for 5 years, cant complain .. if he needs any help, I'll be happy to advise.

Just out of curriosity - do you think it will be easy to move to the UK considering youre from the EU? I dont know anything about EU citizens moving between EU countries. Since Im about to become and EU citizen myself Im pretty interested. Will you require a visa or something?

No Visa or anythign else needed, that's the beuty of beeing a EU citizen, moving from PT to UK it's like moving form Georgia to Florida .. just drive on

My wife on the other hand will need visas, but since she is married to a EU citizen, it's no big deal.

Null