Which COUNTY/region would you live in, if not your own

CariadAgain

Maybe Herefordshire for me?

A small city not too far from Wales, but in England. So I'd have the English NHS and not the Welsh one and reasonable access to the rest of the country.

During Lockdown - with the wierd way things were different in Wales to England (ie harsher here) = I never understood why that was the case for the life of me and the ideal position to be in would be a short walk one side of the border and then go out for things whichever side was easier to be in (was SO envious of people in a town that was divided between both areas and all the people had to do to be in England was literally cross the street). Mind you - it was a time when I was glad of the remoteness here - as that made life easier too (best party ever - with about 200 people at it - was when the Welsh restriction was 30 people).

So my ideal size place would probably be about 15,000-20,000 people with good public transport, ready access to countryside and seaside and good restaurants/shops.

Re earlier mention of Exeter - yep that is my city - where I have lived for most of my life - and I've never ever encountered any of us being discriminatory in any way against anyone (though there's lots of people that visit/study from other countries there) and others have commented to me how it's welcoming. Out in the countryside around and I'm more inclined to let it be known that I am a Devonian (though no-one has ever doubted it for a second despite me not having an accent)...but it's not the thing in Exeter to pay any heed whatsoever to that.

I know some people in Wales who attend Hereford hospital.

As for being on the border - no, we weren't allowed to cross during lockdowns unless working, but I still have a rebellious streak and crossed a footbridge from one country to another and back (more than once). There was not another soul around.

Darlington, County Durham
Just outside Scarborough
Anglesey

Boolya

Darlington, County Durham
Just outside Scarborough
Anglesey

That sounds good to me Boolya.
Have you been reading my mind?
I actually as fancied Prestatyn as well. Nice little town, good shops, lovely countryside too for walking & very friendly people. Plus, a good train link in order to visit far-flung kids!
However, it seems on further research to have quite a high crime rate. A bit disappointing but back to the drawing board. Thinking of Durham now, It's all so difficult! but I don't want to stay where I am now. There's just too much crime & new houses are covering all the once lovely green-space! 😬

We used to live in the Home Counties. Absolutely heaving in our old town with cars, and huge towers of flats everywhere. Now we are in the SW of Wales. Doctors, libraries etc very good, but haven’t needed hospitals yet.
Will stick with dear old fashioned Wales I think.

Casdon

I would not enjoy the scenery living in the south east of the UK, as I find the landscape dull. I like mountains, or if not, big hills. If I had to leave Wales, I’d choose the Lake District, North Yorkshire, or Derbyshire. I like Scotland too, but further north the weather is even wetter and colder than it is in Wales.

I live in the South East and just had to disagree that the landscape is dull, although I accept that it isn’t as pretty as The Cotswolds, the Lake District, parts of Wales and similar areas.
Like any other area, Kent has its rather plain places, but there are many pretty places too. The countryside around Ashford, Wye, Appledore etc is very beautiful, and those are just three of many Kent areas that are worth seeing.
I think the coastal scenery here is attractive too, whether it’s a pretty bay, a ferry port or the white cliffs.
That said, I adore Wales. My mother and grandmother (and many other relatives) were born there, in a beautiful village called Solva, where I spent all my childhood holidays.
I hope you never have to leave Wales until, and if, you have to.
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

I love visiting different places in the UK Crosstitchfan, there are many beautiful places everywhere, and I’m sorry if it came across that I was being derogatory, that wasn’t what I meant. I like the wildness of the mountains best though, looking out of my window when I open the curtains is somehow life affirming (sorry if that sounds really corny).
Your family are from a spectacular part of Wales, I love the Pembrokeshire coastal path, and I’ve been to Solva, which is so pretty - and very sought after by second home owners now.

Bishop Auckland

Is Bishop Auckland near Newcastle lemsip?

Casdon

I love visiting different places in the UK Crosstitchfan, there are many beautiful places everywhere, and I’m sorry if it came across that I was being derogatory, that wasn’t what I meant. I like the wildness of the mountains best though, looking out of my window when I open the curtains is somehow life affirming (sorry if that sounds really corny).
Your family are from a spectacular part of Wales, I love the Pembrokeshire coastal path, and I’ve been to Solva, which is so pretty - and very sought after by second home owners now.

Don’t worry. I understood completely what you meant and wasn’t the slightest offended.
When I was a lot younger, my husband and I wanted to move to Solva and we put the wheels in motion. Unfortunately, my job in Border Force (then HMC &E) was in Intelligence, and Fishguard didn’t have anything similar - I would have had to take a large cut in salary and give up a job I loved. My husband had the same problem with his job. We just couldn’t afford to lose that much money. We were sure it would all be ok once the children were much older, and we could move then, but life got in the way and it was in our interests to stay here. It’s been fine and hasn’t stopped me being happy but I still have that odd twinge of nostalgia for what might have been. Also, you remarked on the second home situation, so I think it’s very unlikely that Solva would bear any relation to how it was when I used to go there, when everyone knew everyone. I would imagine it’s been ruined for the residents and am probably better off with happy memories!

We had a real love affair with Pembrokeshire for a number of years after living in Manorbier for some time when DH was on secondment to a nearby Army base. We must have covered the coast from Fishguard down to Amroth over the years on our holidays there, and Solva was always one of our favourite places. I have a watercolour of the harbour at low tide and it’s the first thing I see when I wake up in the morning.

Apart from Northants where I live , Harrogate in North Yorkshire has been a favourite place to visit.
Mick

Greyduster A friend had a cottage near Amroth. A long steep walk down to the beach

I’d love to live in N Yorkshire, when DH left the army in the mid 80’s after 22 years we could only afford a house in South Wales, we’ve been here ever since.