Where to move in the UK

You don't need a visa to move between the various countries but I think there are some rules about entitlements to healthcare and stuff which you have to complete paperwork for once you get there.  So once you get your British/EU passport, you can just go and live in France, Spain, Belgium etc.

You don't need a visa to move between the various countries but I think there are some rules about entitlements to healthcare and stuff which you have to complete paperwork for once you get there.  So once you get your British/EU passport, you can just go and live in France, Spain, Belgium etc.

The whole rules about entitlement to healthcare has just been a recent issue due to the new countries that Joined in .. I dont believe it's a rule for all countries, but for some of the new ones that just joined in.

but regardless, no big deal to fill up some paperwork if needed

If you can take the colder weather, the Newcastle/Durham area is a great place to be. And it's only 2-1/2 to 3 hours by train to London. The other big northern cities such as Manchester and Leeds all seem to take a bit longer as they have more stops on the line. We lived in Newcastle for 4 months and wish we hadn't had to leave. That said, property prices are rising fast. Just my 2 cents. 

I'll echo the sentiments about north being much more affordable than south - the nearer to London the more outrageous the prices!!! I actually really love some of the little towns outside of Leeds and Leeds is a very cool city. The north east coast is lovely - I spent one of my best holidays ever in a weird little village called Runswick Bay just outside of Whitby.

Another really useful website: www.upmystreet.com - loaded with statistics including details about crime.

wow!! talk about a perk! maybe applying for my EU citizenship really is worth the hassle! thanks for the info. and thanks for the offer of advice as well - I'll point the other half in your direction

Stay far, far away from London...Try to get so far away from it that the residents of the town you settle in haven't even heard of it.   

Stay far, far away from London...Try to get so far away from it that the residents of the town you settle in haven't even heard of it.   

  .. that bad, hum ?

Yes, absolutely. I knew I was in trouble when a girl from GENEVA warned me about "how expensive London is".

Yes, absolutely. I knew I was in trouble when a girl from GENEVA warned me about "how expensive London is".

I wish I could stay far from London when I move to England, but unfortunately, my office is in London, so I need to stay around there if I want a reasonable commute. 

bvamin

Medway (Gillingham, Chatham, Rochester) in Kent is a good area if you don't mind a 45 minute or so commute into London.  I love it out here - close enough to the City but far enough from the City, if you know what I mean. 

My fiance and I live in Gerrards Cross which is on the train line that goes to Marylebone - it takes about 35 minutes at most (about 10 minutes less if it's an express train.) My fiance grew up here and we love it - we can be in London in no time but we have the benefits of living out of the chaos (I LOVE London, but I'd lived in San Francisco for 10 years and was ready to be out of the city.) It's very expensive (as all London suburbs are I suppose) but if you really search there are affordable places (we rent) - it took a month of solid searching but we have a really cute old cottage with two big bedrooms and a big back garden (on a busy road which is what made it somewhat cheaper than other places.)

There are a lot of other cute communities right around us that are on the same train line - Beaconsfield, Amersham (which also has a tube stop actually), Chalfont St. Peter. And there are a lot of yanks living out here too - a bit of a built in friends network!

I know there are places outside of greater London that are affordable and have decent commute times into central London, but I will be working in Canary Wharf, and from past experiences commuting there from my cousin's place in Herts (Shenley, Radlett) was much longer than I expected, so I am looking for a place within an hour or so.  As of now, I am looking in the North London and Northwest London areas.

bvamin

I live in Coventry which is in the West Midlands Warwickshire county. I like it here very much as it is close to many lovely tourist attractions an is central enough to travel either North or South without spending the day in the car.
As for housing prices, Im not sure what you can find for that amt. We got very lucky with our house. We got it for a song (£48,000) nearly 4 years ago. We recently had the house valuated and to our surprise its worth £120,000). The house prices have skyrocketed the past few years and first time buyers are having a very difficult time getting their "foot in the door" if ya know what I mean. We rented for the first few months when I first arrived but renting is like flushing money down the toilet as we were paying nearly £600. a month for a small terraced house.
Good luck
Pebs

CHESHIRE - I have lived in Britain for 6 years and we looked at the counties and found Cheshire is the best by far.  It is below Liverpool and above Birminghan.  It's a countryside county with many towns throughout. The properties are cheap expensive large small, in fact anything you like. It's easy to commute the locals are friendly.  If you want a quiet life or action packed Cheshire is definately for you!

Outstanding Tips

Slight change of plans on our part .. I'll be going to the UK alone first .. maybe for 6-9 months after December .. so I can scour it better .. the wife will stay on our Florida home

So, Anybody on those London surroundings that might be lookign for a flatmate after December .. let me know