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If had no ties to a job, kids, etc. Just you and your bikes, and you could choose anywhere in the UK to live where would you choose and why?
Kerry Ireland in the spring, summer and autumn; Andalusia and Ibiza in the winter. And I've been lucky enough to have traveled a lot.
Oops just read UK.
I have thought about this at length and decided the answer is the Eden Valley South of Penrith. World class road riding in all directions. Easy access to the Lakes but away from all the mayhem. Great transport links to Scotland, the North East, Bowland etc etc.
Where I am now. Because I chose to live here nine years ago and nothing has happened to change my mind. .
Scotland
No wait, im already here. 😀
Actually, probably north west would be ideal. Scenery is spectacular. Bit nippy in winter, but global warming is slowly taking care of that.
Northumberland but it’s shit.
If I hadn't already escaped to Portugal then the Isle of Mull or anywhere else in Scotland (then hope) for reasons beginning with 'B' and ending in 's**t'.
The UK is circling the drain. What difference does it make?
Maybe somewhere like Exeter. Got good riding (my son's Uni club seem to have endless options), also close to sea. Got Cornwall nearby, Wales not too far. Nice long way from Scotland 😛
Swindon
Spain, it's basically still the UK with all the expat boomers innit...
Given the criteria in the OP, I would not be staying in the UK.
Devon if pushed though, or the Lake District, or Northumberland.....
Inners.
I'd go back home, to the place I belong.
Why limit yourself to this hateful shithole?
I’d go back home, to the place I belong.
West Virginia Waters?
Why limit yourself to this hateful shithole?
That’s not the country, it’s the assholes running it into the ground. As the country of my birth, and having been born in the West Country, specifically Wessex, I love where I live, and I honestly don’t think I’d want to move anywhere else. Living fairly close to the South Cotswolds, Avebury, the Marlborough Downs, and further afield Salisbury, Wells, Glastonbury, etc, I feel blessed at having access to so much history and beautiful places.
I spent some time considering this pre-Covid as an opportunity to live back in the UK for a few years so my kids could see their grandparents and see where I come from.
I’ve never come to a conclusion though really. All the pros seem to be outweighed by the weather and the reportedly relatively high rates of crime, political incompetence, general misery.
Probably somewhere with big hills and forests.
I'd take any of...
Keswick
Rhayader
Hayfield
Peebles
Dunkeld
Cornwall. **** bikes, I'd just surf.
East Lothian.
Weymouth/Portland
Cornwall. **** bikes, I’d just surf
Or in south wales, do both!
Dunkeld
Northumberland but it’s shit.
Northumberland and its worse than shit.
On an uninhabited island with no one else
Probably Shropshire, not far from where I'll be in a few hours from now. Hopton Castle.
Close to trails, Wales, FoD, property cheap, weather better than Scotland.
Brecon Beacons, away from any neighbours. Second choice would be Snowdonia. But definitely not in a large town or city and in a detached place so as to have some peace and quiet.
Only a dream tough as I currently live in Cardiff in a block of flats and am currently looking to move to Bristol 🤦
Probably Speyside.
Love where we are in Dunblane though, but tempted by the even better riding, hills and rivers further north.
I made the choice to move to somewhere I really wanted to live before I’d really settled down. Moved from Birmingham to Devon at 25 and have been here ever since.
Once we knew Brexit had scuppered our retirement plans, we looked at downsizing in the U.K. but couldn’t think of anywhere else we’d rather be. Everywhere else in the U.K. with hills just has crap weather or is too crowded and/or expensive.
The West Country is a difficult place to be at times, I’ve never really adapted to the culture( I use that word advisedly), casual racism is still an everyday thing here. It’s also pretty much out of the way and forgotten, meaning opportunities are scarcer than elsewhere and wages are generally poor. Working people tend to be Tory too which has always just struck me as a bit weird.
Having said that, the pluses massively outweigh the negatives and I’ve been really happy here for over half of my life. Can’t see myself ever moving.
Been on the Isle of Mull for over 18 months - it feels a bit more disconnected from the ‘big bad world’ being on an island, particularly when you’re on the ferry home. There’s a great sense of community here that’s sadly lacking in many places, where folks are too busy getting on with their lives and frankly DGAS about anyone else. The weather here in winter can be rubbish, particularly if you’re having to work outdoors but even then, the occasional glimpses of blue skies, looking across to the snow-capped peaks of Rum and Skye, catching glimpses of eagles and otters on your travels.
Currently enjoying it in the Angus countryside and would be very happy to live out my days here, but another fan of Dunkeld and Perthshire. Good weather and a mix of hills, woods, rivers and coast within easy distance. East coast of Scotland in general is ace.
In some ways it reminds me of where and when I was brought up, but that area is just so built up and busy now it's a bit of a shock whenever visit family.
We lived in Shetland for 12 years. Amazing coast with gin clear waters and stunning scenery which I miss, but the weather was generally and frequently shite, and transport off island was a pain and expensive.
I'd love to be somewhere with great riding on my doorstep do somewhere in or near the lakes would be to of the list.
But really, I just want to live somewhere quiet, I want to look out of my windows and see countryside and when I sit in the garden I just want to hear... Country noises!
I am lucky to live where I do, but there's a constant flow of ****s driving up and down the street, neighbours dicking about in their gardens, dogs barking and sirens (we're near the hospital.)
I made the choice recently when I took a voluntary redundancy package. Have now moved to Speyside. It’s so much nicer being away from a city and having endless miles of trails available from the door. Much more snow here though than Aberdeen. I need to get myself set up for cross country skiing for the snowy weeks. No regrets from me although it’s a bit of an adjustment for the family.
We're in exactly that position with no ties to anything and chose The Tweed Valley.
Been here a couple of years and only regret is that we didn't move earlier.
If the UK, then for the reasons given by @mrb123 then probably around Eden valley, maybe Arnside, or somewhere in Scotland (not sure where, but not too remote)
Probably somewhere in the Breacon Beacons. Maybe outside the Park itself since lots of things like planning permission are a PITA with National Parks. Or maybe somewhere slightly nearer the S.Wales coast.
Well that’s the plan anyway if we ever end up moving from Surrey - which is just too over crowded at times.
Should do another thread with something like find the best house for 500k and people nominate houses they've found on rightmove, throwing up between smaller and nearer good stuff or larger and out in the sticks?
Where would I live? Well it's subjective really. I'd love to live in the lakes but practically it's a right drive away from everything. I like the facilities that come with living in a city so my pick is North Staffordshire 😂 but out in the countryside somewhere in a large house with a view. There are plenty of hills and the countryside is generally pretty good and really accessible. I might consider some parts of Shropshire too.
Exactly where I am now (Beamish) but with a bit more land, a rewire and modern insulation.
The West Country is a difficult place to be at times, I’ve never really adapted to the culture( I use that word advisedly), casual racism is still an everyday thing here.
You didn’t mention the bigotry🙄
@tractionman I see what you did there.
Me, I'll be going across the moorland past the mountains..
Probably in or near Wales?
I grew up in Shropshire and still think south west Shropshire is one of the most beautiful parts of the UK. So maybe near bishop's castle?
Mrs Doris grew up in Snowdonia and would love to live there again, only it's expensive and full of tourists (like us) these days.
Hay on Wye might be a good fallback.
I've always quite liked cardigan too - feels remote but also has plenty of decent cafes and bakeries, which is a big draw for me
Exactly where I am now (Beamish) but with a bit more land, a rewire and modern insulation.
And free admission?
Where I am now. Because I chose to live here nine years ago and nothing has happened to change my mind
Yep, same for me although I chose it 23 years ago.
I live in the Eden valley south of Penrith and it suits me down to the ground but I like it quiet and friendly. The roads are good quality with hardly any cars and there is plenty of off road riding. If you want a takeaway it is a ten minute drive and you need a car to live life.
I lived in Keswick until I was 27 and I would not swap back again especially in the last few years, I find it hard work now when I visit parents who live there.
I would consider a move to the Tweed Valley or Inverness way in the future
Yeah, maybe there's another thread; who moved to their dream location and regretted it? My regret is that we didn't do it earlier but that delay was due to family commitments (elderly parents). A couple of folk on this thread have also regretted not moving sooner, but then we know it doesn't work out great for everyone. I do recall one guy on here moving to the Trossachs and it was obvious from his posts that it was a mistake from day 1.
We seem to do this thread regularly. The only problem with Settle is the weather. Of course most of the NW is much the same in that regard. At least we seem to be getting some decent summer weather these days. Roll on global warming.
I would consider a move to the Tweed Valley or Inverness way in the future
We looked at Inverness. Amazing access to the mountains and to the Moray Coast, but not very much riding from the door (though it's all relative to wherever you are now).
who moved to their dream location and regretted it?
Ours was not such a dream location, such as a work decision took us there. Killin was amazing for wildlife, empty hills, quiet roads, fabulous community and care. Also hugely remote feeling on a wet Wednesday in November, expensive in fuels and food, and the wonderful community still had individuals who were the worst in society. We thoroughly enjoyed our time there.
However.
Dunblane, with a few more resources and the ability for the lads to walk to school and meet friends after school, to have broader community, to not be as wet, yet still near amazing green spaces, mountains although not quite out the door they are local, has been a significant improvement. We're very settled.
We would move for an even richer natural environment and recreational opportunities - but would want to keep some of the opportunities that we have here. Hence why Aviemore area appeals...maybe somewhere Speyside if the housebuild plot is a good one...
Having lived in a Torytown (6000 pop) for a decade (quite enough), we got persuaded (partly on here) to move to S Sheffield. Fantastic mix of the best of urban and the Peaks on the doorstep, superb ale and friendly crowd at the end of the road and an easy drive to the cities we need occasional access to (Manchester, Newcastle).
The West Country is a difficult place to be at times, I’ve never really adapted to the culture( I use that word advisedly), casual racism is still an everyday thing here. It’s also pretty much out of the way and forgotten, meaning opportunities are scarcer than elsewhere and wages are generally poor.
That could be just about anywhere, and Devon isn’t that ‘out of the way’, although it’s a big county, unique in that it has two separate coastlines, and of course, some parts are fairly remote, especially on Exmoor and Dartmoor. Big difference between somewhere like Brum and any of the cities in the southwest, except possibly Bristol, but even then it has a smaller industrial past. Casual racism is everywhere, but more rural counties tend to have much smaller ethnic communities, which means there’s less diversity and less opportunity for people to have regular contact with those communities. It does mean, though, that different ethnic groups tend to be spread throughout the whole community, so there is a blending in happening.
Whereabouts in Devon are you? I know South Hams reasonably well, and that part is pretty spread out, with lots of narrow lanes and tiny groups of houses. Wiltshire is like that in places, as is Somerset and Dorset. As for Cornwall, it’s a bit of a drive…
Where I am now, south Shropshire. I was born and grew up in Cheshire, but have since lived in Warwickshire, Oxfordshire, Kent, Northern Ireland, Edinburgh, London, and Gloucestershire. As well as a few places overseas. So I feel reasonably qualified to make a judgement call on this (from a very personal POV, obviously).
We moved here from Minchinhampton near Stroud 7 years ago. That was a great place, but expensive. We were able to get a lot more for our money here.
I live on a bridleway, 900ft up in the Shropshire hills. I can't see my nearest neighbours from the house. We keep bees and chickens and grow a lot of our own fruit and veg. We are surrounded by stunning views in every direction and red kites and curlews regularly fly over us.
For MTB, the following are all a short ride or drive away. Mortimer forest, Bringewood, Hopton Woods, Bucknell, Eastridge, the Long Mynd. Being about half way along the border, all the Welsh trail centres and natural rides, plus FoD, Cannock chase etc. are within an hour to an hour and a half away.
Our nearest town is Ludlow which is ace.
On the downside, rail and road connections aren't brilliant if you need to get to (for example) that London. But I'm retired so I don't GAS about that! It suits me perfectly 🙂
South West London, everything I need in walking distance, plenty of riding; Surrey hills and a good network of cx friendly bridle ways. Handy for transport links and international travel.
Mother in law lives in a village in Somerset, everything is a drive, not even a shop, riding is crap, sister in law is in a small Devon village but it’s just a village again car dependent and the whole area is rammed in summer.
If it’s outside of UK I’m with Caher - Kerry all the way.
I’m pretty content in Melrose in the Scottish Borders. Riding from the door. Inners just 25 mins away. 60 min train to Edinburgh for a bit of culture and nights out. Nice area to bring up kids.
I like Dunblane area for ease of access to everywhere.
Scottish Outdoor Access Code is hard to beat and therefore my shortlist would always need to be this side of the border.
scotroutes
Full MemberI would consider a move to the Tweed Valley or Inverness way in the future
We looked at Inverness. Amazing access to the mountains and to the Moray Coast, but not very much riding from the door
To be fair I am casting a pretty wide net in that statement. I like Grantown and Golspie areas my wife fancies Nairn. Bikes for me strolls and ice cream for her
Somewhere in Scotland most definitely, I like Wester Ross, missus likes the Cairngorms. We'd probably compromise and move to the Cairngorms.
Probably 15miles up the road to around Selkirk even think I know the house, but there's a choice of two not sure the duke would sell the cottage I really would like.
Probably the Black Isle have family that live there. For being that far north climate is pretty good.
Cairngorms and West Coast pretty handy.
Always had a soft spot for Speyside in particular Boat of Garten.
Native of Northumberland and agree with other posts its 'shit' and to be avoided at all costs.
I think possibly Scotland somewhere would be my answer but I feel like I’m doing pretty dam well living in Shropshire on the Welsh boarder.
Shropshire is shit though incase anyone is wondering. Went for a walk up a hill this morning. My house is in this pic
@FukyDunc, we might be neighbours -ish...
A Shropshire sunset outside my back door 5 minutes ago.
Somewhere down in Dumfries and Galloway.
After having lived up here in Scotland for the last 20 years I now consider the country to be home.
However, I would like to move away from West Lothian to somewhere milder.
For some reason the mild/warm weather seems to struggle to make its way past the Southern Uplands.
I like the idea of Scotland, love Edinburgh as a city.
Northumberland is a good call, somewhere inland of Alnwick, probably.
But I really like Shropshire. Stayed at Bishop's Castle a couple of times and it's lovely. Could quite happily retire there when the time comes.
Currently live about 15 minutes drive from the Peak District. Would like to live closer, but prices for places like Hathersage are beyond me.
Speyside , Tenby or Peebles would be good choices for me . I also lived in Ludlow for 18 months and would happily live there again . However my family moved to the Isle of Man 25 years ago and have no desire to live anywhere else .We originally moved because it was a safer place to bring up children than Northampton . The fact that it's great for road cycling or MTB right out of the door and various other outdoor activities is certainly a bonus , as is the lack of crime compared to elswhere .
Tweed Valley for me. Not very original I know but it’s popular for good reason
Seems to be a swing towards living in Scotland.
Says it all really.
Seems to be a swing towards living in Scotland.
Says it all really.
I get the impression that a lot (a majority even) of the most prolific posters on STW are Scottish, which might have something to do with it. Just an impression, I may be wrong. Not a majority of members, but of the twenty or so most prominent posters on chat?
The difference in access legislation no doubt plays a part. It would certainly stop me moving elsewhere in the UK.
I'd always thought it would be the Lakes, but I'm not sure I could stand the touristy traffic, the lack of infrastructure/services when needed, and the weather. I love the Lakes
All the mountainous places that are fantastic are also generally wet. I wonder if that would get me down over time...
Think I need a Euro-millions win...
Place in Carrbridge/Aviemore/Speyside, place in the Lakes, place in the Yorkshire Dales, place in Worcester (its my true home sort of), apparently Shropshire is quite good so another place there, and I best have somewhere in the Alps and the Pyrenees too I guess 🤣 I best get myself a hovel in Northumberland too just to keep myself grounded
Im Lucky where I live at the momment. But if all was fair Id be up in Keswick or there abouts tomorrow. I have looked and will more than likey end up there in the near future.
The youngest is at Exeter Uni, it looks a nice enough area. I don't think I could bring myself to move to an area predominantly run by the Tories.
Snowdonia. All the riding and hiking and swimming in lakes that you like and there's really good beaches really close too. Lakes has hills and lakes, but no beaches, cornwall has beaches, no hills and a lot of private land. Snowdonia has it all.
I'd say west coast scotland but it's very remote and you've got to have somewhere to go on holiday.
So we moved to Snowdonia. Only regret not doing it sooner. Not been on a foreign holiday (other than to the Mega) in three years now. Still not feeling the itch.
We moved from Leicestershire to just south of Sheffield in June. It's not the Peak District cottage we'd love due to actually finding somewhere and cost but it's pretty bloody good in comparison.
If I could pick anywhere, money no object I think it'd be North Lakes or the Tweed Valley. Family and friends would probably stop us though.
Spain, it’s basically still the UK with all the expat boomers innit…
TBH I'd contemplate living in Benidorm, its a totally different place out of season and oddly if you get 5 miles away from the beach its very much Spanish.
But in GB Land Dunno, I do like the Breacons but TBH they don't have the beach and weather I've got used to.
I chose to live in leith 35 years ago. I still live in the same flat. Location location location. I'm right on the river, have 360 degree views of the horizon, can ride anywhere in the city in 30 odd minutes, can ride out to the pentlands easily enough, no need for a car at all. 25 restaurants and pubs within 400m of my flat. I can be in countryside in 30 mins on my bike or less.
I'm getting sick of the stairs now tho and thinking of maybe moving.
When I moved to Leith my criteria was " north of chesterfield ( 'cos south of it is shit 🙂 ) and south of Perth ( I'm not a teuchter)" and must be withing cycling distance of where I ended up getting a job