Does anyone live South-ish?

Thinking about moving - considering anything from Cornwall to Kent, West Wales to Cambridge - though the sunnier the better

Will be renting first. I like the idea of moving around until an area really stands out as a place to settle.

Will probably decide on these factors (budget allowing):

• Semi-rural or QUIET area (no houses on main roads, no noisy kids around, etc)
• Would like a modern interior (with wooden floors etc) - love the idea of a barn conversion with open fire
• Not too remote - so would like a Waitrose or M&S within 20-30 minute drive (unless there were organic markets nearby)
• Decent broadband - a must! (Funnily enough Cornwall seems to have fibre broadband more than anywhere else!)
• Somewhere sunny/dry/healthy

Do you have any recommendations? Don't really want to spend more than 800 to 1000 a month, but have seen some lovely places for 650/700 too - so the cheaper the better

For those of you who live around some of these parts - how do you feel about where you live - and would you recommend it?

Plus need to add how many bedrooms Azz. Maybe Helena can help as she currently lives in heaven and it don't get better than that

Does surrey tempt you Azz?

I am near Brighton.

Pros:

-- Brighton is a fantastic city.
-- Easy access to London.
-- Easy access to Gatwick and Heathrow.
-- Great public transportation network.
-- Pretty much always a Waitrose & M&S within 20 minutes!
-- Weather generally good compared to some other parts of the country. Better than Wales, etc., I am assuming!
-- Access to some beautiful countryside.
-- East/West Sussex as counties can be as busy or as rural as you want them to be. You can live 10 minutes from a city or large town yet be surrounded by beautiful countryside.

Cons:

-- Expensive. Renting down here is not cheap. For £500 a month you are looking at a studio flat if you are lucky. £600 will get you a 1 bed Flat, £700+ a 2 bed Flat, and you would be looking at £800+ a month for a small terrace house.
-- The busy areas really are busy. The roads in particular can be a nightmare around the commuter belt. Sometimes it feels like an extension of London down here.
-- The cost of living is generally higher all round.

I agree with Labradork. East and West Sussex are ideal. There are plenty of rural areas but they're never far from big towns. The cost of renting is cheaper if you live away from the bigger towns. Be worth a hunt around!

Thanks for the replies guys - I really am open to all areas and yes, Sussex & Surrey sounds great... but maybe too expensive?

2 bed min but prefer 3

Here's the type of property you can expect in Cornwall

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-...p2sendtofriend

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-...p2sendtofriend

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-...p2sendtofriend

And in West Wales

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-...-36892940.html

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-...-34684984.html

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-...-38507570.html

Some nice houses there

Forest Of Dean is lovely,some wonderful countryside,wild Boar,Deer, and for small fee paid to the council you can collect wood from fallen tree's for your open fire

I love this area (apart from the neighbours),people are very friendly,some fantastic rural walks,the forest in spring when the bluebells are out is lovely,Bristol is about 20 mins away,likewise is Chepstow and Gloucester about 40 mins,public transport isn't great,houses can be expensive, not to sure about private rental's.

Somewhere dry and sunny,now you are pushing your luck think we are all wet and soggy at the moment

Come to sunny Devon .... raining 6 days out of 7!

Just so happens that next door to me is up for sale!

Very nice. You won't find houses to rent for that cheap in a similar location in Sussex unfortunately.

I guess it all boils down to what you consider to be more important -- nice house in a more cut off area or a smaller house in a more central location with excellent accessibility.

Oxfordshire is good - lots of barn conversionshttp://www.barnsetc.co.uk/barns-for-sale-Oxfordshire.htm although I'm not sure they are in your price range.

Is it that lacking in sunshine where you are?