Nice areas of England to live

[KnaresboroughBlue]

After spending the last 20 or so years abroad, I am toying with the idea of returning to England for a couple years for the benefit of my children's education and one or two other reasons.

Ideally it would be an attractive village or small town with relatively low crime rates, good housing options (we would be renting), easy access to a city with good schools, shopping, entertainment and public transport. Access to nature, golf and fishing would be a bonus.

North Yorkshire (Harrogate area) came to mind but having been away so long, I am a little out of touch with which other areas would fit my requirements.

Any ideas?

 

[Sigh]

you'll cry

go to NZ, Hawke's Bay area.

 

[stonerblue]

Harrogate has some of the most expensive property in the country.

I have a lovely little house in Radcliffe and am prepared to do a 'swap' with you.

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

If you want somewhere good to bring the kids up which is relatively cheap and relatively northern, Ludlow is a good bet.

It's not on the doorstep of a big city, but it's just over half an hour from Shrewsbury which is ok for shopping.

<a class="postlink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludlow" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludlow</a>

 

[nelsons willie]

devon dorset

 

[Helmet Cole]

I've always thought the borders (Kelso, Coldstream) would be nice. Beautiful countryside, a lot of bang for your buck property wise and good rail road links to Edinburgh down to London. There is also a nice big Ikea and all the smack you could want down the road in Geordie land.
On the west side I've always thought Penrith would be decent - nice and rural on the edge of the lakes, but good rail & road links to Mcr/NW, Lakes, London as well as Glasgow and Geordie land for smack.

 

[KnaresboroughBlue]

Harrogate has some of the most expensive property in the country.

I have a lovely little house in Radcliffe and am prepared to do a 'swap' with you.

Thanks to all who have replied.

Cost isn't really a major issue as it's only for a couple of years or so and we'd only be renting. Plus Phuket isn't exactly cheap for housing.

Funnily enough we had thought about a house swap but they generally seem to be 2-3 months at most.

 

[BWTAC]

If you want somewhere good to bring the kids up which is relatively cheap and relatively northern, Ludlow is a good bet.

It's not on the doorstep of a big city, but it's just over half an hour from Shrewsbury which is ok for shopping.

<a class="postlink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludlow" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludlow</a>

Was there last week with work for the first time in about 15 years and it has seemed to have grown considerably, still a nice enough place, but is beginning to lose some of its charm and is a bastard to get to.

Ramsbottom seems to be quite upmarket these days, plenty of decent restaraunts and such, also there are some nice little places on the Fylde coast.

 

[Lucky Toma]

1955.

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

1955.

I always wondered if you were, in fact, Peter Hitchens.