Moving after divorce, looking for suitable towns or cities in the Uk

I second Newcastle / Northumberland. If you look around the very edges of the city, you can find places that are quite quiet, BUT that also have direct metro access into the city centre.

You could find a nice sized older house, and ideally it would be backed with countryside, suitable for your cat.

I am not a Geordie, but really like Newcastle. LOTS to do (usually) and only a 20 minute drive to beautiful beaches and countryside too. I spent all of lockdown alone on a beach last year. Well, me and GS.

I'll third Newcastle / Northumberland. Property prices can be in your bracket and the majority of people are really nice.
It has an excellent public transport system including mainline train services and the coastline / countryside is absolutely wonderful.
Hospitals are second to none and again the centre of Newcastle has theatre's, cinemas and great shopping.

Malvern? I moved here after my divorce two years ago and bought a flat for £90k. It’s a lovely area, the Hills, city of Worcester 6 miles away, Malvern theatre and an evening class college. Best thing I did.

Scarborough looks to tick all of your boxes Helenanne including a theatre.

Just checked on Rightmove and currently there are over 80 properties for sale with a price tag of less than £100k. Most of them look to be apartments including this lovely looking one with great views (around a mile from town, though probably on a main bus route). Its freehold too which is a bonus ball for an apartment
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/87079957#/

Scarborough is not the most connected place as far as the rail network is concerned, though 50 minutes will get you to York and around 2.5 hours to Manchester.

I would recommend Galashiels. It is a lively town, on the Waverley line railway link to Edinburgh, with good shops plus all the ones you'd expect.
There are currently 30 homes listed on rightmove. under £90k
Lovely countryside all around and it is home to the Borders College as well as the Heriot Watt University school of Textile and Design and is soon to be home to the Great Tapestry of Scotland. scotlandstapestry.com/
Very much a hidden gem. Other Borders towns are lovely too but they don't have the rail link.

I know there are such properties in Leeds, Wigan and Gainsborough in Lincolnshire. Or have you thought of moving to Wales.

I think there are houses in Cleveland that would fulfill your criteria. Have a look on rightmove and see what you think. Good luck.

I can recommend Newcastle /Northumberland too. I’ve only lived here for two years ( a lot of it spent locked down) but I love the city - there is so much to (usually) do. The surrounding countryside is wonderful.
Good luck with your search and your new life wherever you choose to spend it.

is malvern link a safe place to live for an active 70 year old cultured lady?