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I'm sure you have but just in case - have you considered Worthing? Lots of people seems to be getting priced out of Brighton and heading over here, but the ride into Btn is only the same as many zone 3 into 1 commutes.
We bought here (FTB) in October after realising we were never going to be able to afford to move back to Brighton, and its working out pretty well so far.
jackbepablo
CYOA
Thinking:
Mainly in need of some space - pretty urgently.
Brighton has been great for us but we can't keep up with prices at the moment - Mrs CYOA not working, Mr CYOA working a bit much.
For the size and quality of house we'd want we'd need about twice the money we have. Mortgages are tricky for us so we're trying to cash it as much as poss. What we could afford in Brighton just doesn't seem worth moving for. Similar size but in worse condition and on the fringes of town.
Want a slower pace of life but not quite ready for full danzig james (I am, but Mrs CYOA argues that a one year old will have to go to groups. In my day... etc).
We're also quite socially inept so find the idea of a small town or village a bit claustrophobic.
So that means a large town or city basically.
We want south west/south/south east. Wales too remote. North a bit remote for coastline we'd actually like. East doesn't do a lot for us.
We want coast - actual coast rather than Severn estuary.
We want proximity to hills/moor/mountain/national park/something.
We want a bit of culture and history in the city.
We want access to good coffee shops.
At least one decent cinema.
We want a diverse local population.
We realise Brighton is a bubble like no other in terms of offering all of that. Particularly the population which, for the most, we love and won't find replicated elsewhere.
South East we're running into issues about the type and size of house we can afford, there are sporadic ones in Worthing etc.
South is basically Southampton or Portsmouth - fine but I have family in Southampton and spent my teenage years there with no real desire to return. Portsmouth does nothing for me.
South West - Bournemouth...mmm.... Weymouth, nah... Exeter... maybe. Torbay, bit small. Plymouth (would have glossed over it a month ago and never considered but the more we look the more it seems pretty solid, pending forum approval, obvs). We like Cornwall but for when I need to get to London it's not practical for same day travel (unless flying but usually I'll be travelling with loads of camera gear or production cases etc).
Plymouth:
Has decent schools, a large enough population that you'd expect some of them not to be racist homophobes. Has a university (and others nearby) which helps on that front by bringing fresh blood into the area. Is a regional hub for science and innovation. Has various creative and digital quarters/initiatives which mean finding staff if we opened a new office would be more plausible than say Torbay. Is right on the coast (and a pretty lovely bit of coast at that with even lovelier coast just outside of town on either side). Is right at the foot of Dartmoor (which is arguably my favourite moor). Has major industry there - for example Babcock (titter) so it's not out of the realms of possibility that we could get local clients even if they're headquartered in London. Has multiple amazing art deco lidos on the seafront, climbing centre, various museums, marine/nautical culture (boaty family) solid arts scene, good cycling community and access to great routes nearby, three cinemas, pretty solid coffee culture. Barbican seems as close as you'd get to the lanes/laine in Brighton short of going to Glasgow.
Connected via motorway and train. I could drive to London if I set off early. I could also get a coach overnight or a train in the morning. Close to Exeter airport if needed. Close to Exeter, because Ikea and John Lewis.
Some pretty fancy houses (say in Mannamead or Grand Parade) which I'd say are comfortably half the cost of the Brighton equivalent.
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-63693619.html
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-63693619.html
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-70303310.html
Loads of big pretty decent terraces/semis which is probably what we'd go for.
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-61410277.html
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-48887085.html
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-62567813.html
Yes there are some grim areas, but that's true of anywhere and it's big enough that you don't need to go to those places. Gardens seem a bit small for the most part (often they're just 20sqm yards/patios) but there are appear to be parks every 200 yards.
Not sold on it by any stretch but it does tick a lot more boxes than I'd imagined it would.
Other places we were adding to our 'to visit' list this month:
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-52381863.html
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-68402813.html (the views on that!)