Looking for a bit of 'Phil & Kirsty' advice - where to live?

Looking for a bit of 'Phil & Kirsty' advice - where to live?

Author
Discussion

Prodwell

Original Poster:

5 posts

109 months

Sunday 29th March 2015
quotequote all
I'm a long-ish term member on PH under a different username, I've taken an alias as I'd like to have a little anonymity.

I'm at a point in life where I feel the need to move on, physically move on.

I've lived in the same general area (central Scotland) all my life. I'm late 40's, married, no kids, no debt, no mortgage, and have some money in the bank - mainly as a result of the estate of my last surviving parent just being distributed.

I'm thinking that I'd like to find a house that has, ideally, 2 or 3 bedrooms, is detached, reasonably rural, has a garden (not too big), and has a garage or outbuildings for car related fettling biggrin

I'm thinking somewhere in England, east midlands maybe, rather than Scotland. The thought process behind this is that there's a bigger market so hopefully what I want exists at my price, and that there just seems to be more going on down there - work or leisure. The SNP bleating on and on doesn't help either...

My budget would be around £200k cash - i.e. no borrowing required. I'd like to remain without debt as far as possible.

My current employer has places in Derby, Northampton, Nottingham, Stoke on Trent amongst others so I could probably get another job in these areas. That isn't essential though. I'd rather find an ideal place to live and then look for work. My income requirements are modest.

I just don't know where to start and whether I'm about to fall into the trap of looking for something that doesn't exist.

Does what I'm looking for exist in my price range? What parts of the country are in/out of budget?

Any advice gratefully received biggrin

Mods, please move this thread if it's deemed more appropriate elsewhere.

telecat

8,528 posts

240 months

Sunday 29th March 2015
quotequote all
If Derby and Nottingham then I always like the Matlock area. Not sure if it would tick all your boxes and I'm sure there would be able to fill in the blanks.

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/prope...

Prodwell

Original Poster:

5 posts

109 months

Sunday 29th March 2015
quotequote all
Thanks.

I've taken holidays in the Derbyshire/Peak District area and it certainly seems a nice place.


mikees

2,745 posts

171 months

Sunday 29th March 2015
quotequote all
Near Chesterfield - have couple of mates who live here and they think its lovely

Alex@POD

6,133 posts

214 months

Sunday 29th March 2015
quotequote all
I haven't lived in very many places so I can't recommend anywhere particular (Harrogate is nice though), but you don't sound like you have too strict criteria or budget... 2-3 bed detached with a garage for 200k, somewhere fairly rural? There must be thousands of places to choose from.

Prodwell

Original Poster:

5 posts

109 months

Sunday 29th March 2015
quotequote all
Alex@POD said:
There must be thousands of places to choose from.
I think that's the nub of it right there.

I realise that my search requirements at this stage are way too broad and that's why I'm looking to others to see what they can say to help me draw in the net a little.



truck71

2,328 posts

171 months

Sunday 29th March 2015
quotequote all
Prodwell said:
I'm a long-ish term member on PH under a different username, I've taken an alias as I'd like to have a little anonymity.

I'm at a point in life where I feel the need to move on, physically move on.

I've lived in the same general area (central Scotland) all my life. I'm late 40's, married, no kids, no debt, no mortgage, and have some money in the bank - mainly as a result of the estate of my last surviving parent just being distributed.

I'm thinking that I'd like to find a house that has, ideally, 2 or 3 bedrooms, is detached, reasonably rural, has a garden (not too big), and has a garage or outbuildings for car related fettling biggrin

I'm thinking somewhere in England, east midlands maybe, rather than Scotland. The thought process behind this is that there's a bigger market so hopefully what I want exists at my price, and that there just seems to be more going on down there - work or leisure. The SNP bleating on and on doesn't help either...

My budget would be around £200k cash - i.e. no borrowing required. I'd like to remain without debt as far as possible.

My current employer has places in Derby, Northampton, Nottingham, Stoke on Trent amongst others so I could probably get another job in these areas. That isn't essential though. I'd rather find an ideal place to live and then look for work. My income requirements are modest.

I just don't know where to start and whether I'm about to fall into the trap of looking for something that doesn't exist.

Does what I'm looking for exist in my price range? What parts of the country are in/out of budget?

Any advice gratefully received biggrin

Mods, please move this thread if it's deemed more appropriate elsewhere.
If I had work options in one of those locations I'd be in the peak district like a shot, it'll give you scenic reminders of home (not quite as dramatic) and you're not far from Manchester/Sheffield/Leeds/Notts etc. Couple of hrs into London on the train if you fancy a weekend break.

Pferdestarke

7,179 posts

186 months

Sunday 29th March 2015
quotequote all
I think you're doing the right thing. A move is good and it's something we think of also.

Look at Mapperly in notts. A lovely centre.

caterhamboy

568 posts

197 months

Sunday 29th March 2015
quotequote all
Hi Prodwell,

i live in derby and know most of Derbyshire very well. ( buy and sell house's around here)

How far would you consider commuting everyday, is your employer in derby itself?
An area i would consider up and coming is Belper around 5 miles out of Derby, its got a good high street and a good train link into pride park.

Also Ashbournes worth a look and is nr the A50 giving good access to both derby and stoke.

Just to keep the pistonheaders happy there's also a waitrose there!!







numtumfutunch

4,704 posts

137 months

Monday 30th March 2015
quotequote all
Belper has a much better PH connection that Waitrose







PS. Why the need for anonymity?

worsy

5,776 posts

174 months

Monday 30th March 2015
quotequote all
I'm biased but Shropshire is a beautiful county. You could get somewhere commutable to Stoke, or alternatively the North for Cheshire/Manchester/Liverpool/North Wales or the South for Worcester/Gloucester.

Prodwell

Original Poster:

5 posts

109 months

Monday 30th March 2015
quotequote all
caterhamboy said:
Hi Prodwell,

i live in derby and know most of Derbyshire very well. ( buy and sell house's around here)

How far would you consider commuting everyday, is your employer in derby itself?
An area i would consider up and coming is Belper around 5 miles out of Derby, its got a good high street and a good train link into pride park.

Also Ashbournes worth a look and is nr the A50 giving good access to both derby and stoke.

Just to keep the pistonheaders happy there's also a waitrose there!!


Haha, been to waitrose in Ashbourne so I know that's there!

I've been spoiled all my working life so far and never had a big commute - it's currently about 3 miles. I'm realistic enough to know that I can't expect the same forever, but I'd rather not be commuting far at all. The right house is more important and I'll find work nearby if at all possible. My employer has a place on the southern outskirts of Derby.

I'm trying to get my work life balance in order, i.e. more living and less working (or working in a more fulfilling way).

Prodwell

Original Poster:

5 posts

109 months

Monday 30th March 2015
quotequote all
anonymous said:
[redacted]
biggrin

She's totally on board as it happens, so that's one less obstacle to overcome.

The anonymity thing probably isn't necessary but I feel that I'm sharing information publicly that perhaps I wouldn't otherwise, as well as that both our employers know nothing about it and - until there is actual progress - I'd rather keep it that way.

JB!

5,254 posts

179 months

Monday 30th March 2015
quotequote all
South Northants is nice, avoid Corby, Wellinboro and Kettering...

Buxton in the Peaks is lovely, as is Matlock Bath, Amber Vale...

BoRED S2upid

19,641 posts

239 months

Monday 30th March 2015
quotequote all
Not Stoke on Trent.

Asterix

24,438 posts

227 months

Monday 30th March 2015
quotequote all
What about somewhere around the Stamford, Lincs area.

Always thought it lovely when driving through.

rossjohnstone

31 posts

125 months

Monday 30th March 2015
quotequote all
I live in North Shropshire, plenty of quiet picturesque villages, properties not too expensive, close enough to the M6 to make getting around fairly easy, and would be a simple commute to Stoke. Perhaps somewhere like Eccleshall, Baldwins Gate or Woore? You'd have to like the quiet life though, not a great deal going on!

j44esd

1,233 posts

222 months

Monday 30th March 2015
quotequote all
BoRED S2upid said:
Not Stoke on Trent.
Sweeping statement.

Centre of Stoke is a tired, run down, ex-industrial heartland with no money, but some of the friendliest people you'll ever meet.

However the 'greater' Stoke-on-Trent area cannot be written off so easily - great commuter links (A50 to Derby / M1) right on 2 junctions of the M6 for Birmingham (south) or Manchester (north) with exactly what the OP is looking for 'varied housing stock within a given budget'.

If you can look beyond the cheeky scouser and his instant disregard of Stoke-on-Trent, i'd suggest you look around:

Trentham
Barlaston
Newcastle-under-lyme
Stone
Keele
Meir Heath

For 'town' ish locations (and for the pedants i'm aware that many of these places are on the periphery of Stoke-on-Trent and not Stoke-on-Trent itself). For more rural locations check out:

Leek
Endon
Baldwins Gate
Madeley Heath (NOT Madeley)

There are many more neighbourhoods/locations each with their own foibles, but you're more than welcome to PM me if you want specific location advice in the area.

Wouldn't dismiss it entirely though, as it does offer plenty of property in your budget and plenty of commutable work places.

DISCLAIMER: I am from, live in and work in Stoke-on-Trent (through choice!) and prefer people to judge a location on it's reality, not it's reputation. wink