BoxRec

Mods, hope I'm not abusing the forum with another 'off topic' posting, but as someone who's never actually lived in the capital I found the London thread really interesting to read, and it got me thinking... where do fellow posters rate as the best places to live in the UK?
I've been out of the country for nearly seven years, but my call, which will probably surprise some, is Bournemouth. Contrary to the image it has (or used to have) as a pensioner's paradise, I found its combination of beautiful beaches, great bars and clubs, stunning women and little crime (in relative terms) pretty irresistible. Add in the fact you've got places like the New Forest on the doorstep and it's pretty tough to beat.
I'd also give honorary mentions to Bath, Bristol and St Ives in Cornwall (though have to acknowledge my West Country roots and so the inherent bias!).
In terms of elsewhere, I liked what I saw of Leeds, was disappointed with Manchester, Sheffield was better than I expected, while the whole Midlands seems a bit of a write-off. Cardiff is a bit under-rated as I've had some good nights out there.
Have never made it to Newcastle, but have heard good things.
Your verdicts...?

Easy, Birmingham.

Next question.

Cardiff of course

Deserter wrote:Mods, hope I'm not abusing the forum with another 'off topic' posting, but as someone who's never actually lived in the capital I found the London thread really interesting to read, and it got me thinking... where do fellow posters rate as the best places to live in the UK?
I've been out of the country for nearly seven years, but my call, which will probably surprise some, is Bournemouth. Contrary to the image it has (or used to have) as a pensioner's paradise, I found its combination of beautiful beaches, great bars and clubs, stunning women

Not sure about that, but there' some stunning pensioners down there.

MightyWarrior wrote:

Deserter wrote:Mods, hope I'm not abusing the forum with another 'off topic' posting, but as someone who's never actually lived in the capital I found the London thread really interesting to read, and it got me thinking... where do fellow posters rate as the best places to live in the UK?
I've been out of the country for nearly seven years, but my call, which will probably surprise some, is Bournemouth. Contrary to the image it has (or used to have) as a pensioner's paradise, I found its combination of beautiful beaches, great bars and clubs, stunning women

Not sure about that, but there' some stunning pensioners down there.

leave him alone. hes right though i probably had all the decent woman down here well i hope so no boxing down here thou. someone but a bill at the B.I.C :P

Whilst there are charms about many parts of the world, nowhere for me compares to London. Places like cornwall are extremely beautiful, but would bore me to death after a while. Whilst I like Leeds and Sheffield in many ways they offer the same as London, but to a lesser degree.

Also, the climate as you head north is just too damned cold for me, it's ok if you've got Viking blood like the yorkshire men, but for me it's too frigid.

REAL_DEAL wrote:

MightyWarrior wrote:

Deserter wrote:Mods, hope I'm not abusing the forum with another 'off topic' posting, but as someone who's never actually lived in the capital I found the London thread really interesting to read, and it got me thinking... where do fellow posters rate as the best places to live in the UK?
I've been out of the country for nearly seven years, but my call, which will probably surprise some, is Bournemouth. Contrary to the image it has (or used to have) as a pensioner's paradise, I found its combination of beautiful beaches, great bars and clubs, stunning women

Not sure about that, but there' some stunning pensioners down there.

leave him alone. hes right though i probably had all the decent woman down here well i hope so no boxing down here thou. someone but a bill at the B.I.C :P

You forget we have all seen your picture ya ugly B'stard! :P

I go to the over 60's nightclubs ohh youngggg mannnn

TerribleTerry wrote:Easy, Birmingham.

Next question.

Serious answers only please
My only Birmingham experiences have been The Dome and The Hummingbird back around 1990, so maybe I didn't see it at it's best
James, London is a weird one for me - most of my mates from my home town and from university live there now so I've been out a lot in Clapham, Brixton, Shoreditch, Camden etc, but also done the West End thing and been to places like 10 Rooms, Kabaret, Trap etc. But for whatever reason I've rarely had a great night out - normally involves having to travel around a lot to get from one place to another, most places seem overpriced, and never that friendly a vibe. I can clearly see the potential, but for whatever reason it's rarely hit the mark for me. Don't think you can put it purely down to 'local' knowledge either - most of the people I've been with are/were living in London.
When I was living in Bournemouth, it was a 20-minute walk down through a park into the centre of town, and then some really nice bars and clubs all in close proximity (K Bar being a particular favourite), and with decent crowds - seriously hot women (most of whom looked as if they were auditioning for Baywatch), little aggro, and yet not as pretentious as somewhere like Brighton. Awesome in the summer, as you can chill on the beach all day before hitting the bars.

I've lived in Darlington, Bath, Bristol, near Birmingham, Colchester, Sheffield...and the Cayman Islands. I've also been all over England and feel I know the country quite well.

Having lived in a 'Caribbean paradise', I was amazed how much I missed of Blighty.

I love Sheffield and hope to settle here. I visit London monthly and as soon as I get down St Pancras stairs I think "Here we go again!" The place is a bit too hectic for me. As James says, I think the likes of Sheffield offer what London does, but on a much smaller scale - and that'll do for me.

Terry - I just couldn't get away with Birmingham but was there a fortnight ago and was impressed by the central redevelopment. Actually, there's some lovely suburbs in Brum.

Deserter - understand the Bournemouth call but a lot of seaside towns (don't know about Bmouth) have become havens for pissheads and it must be wearing to live there.

Bristol was canny, quite liked it there. One of Britain's most overrated towns is Bath. Was pleased to see it featured so highly in the very entertaining volume 'Craptowns 2'.

Simply couldn't endure Newcastle for long but that's some regional hatred shit going on there...southeners seem to love the place.

As I'm getting older, I fancy somewhere quieter. I'd love to have the brass to live in the country somewhere.

Just bought a house in Sheffield which is five minutes drive from the city centre and ten from the Peak District. Can't be many places that offer that contrast.

Seems hometown bias is the only consistent feature in this thread...

As a foreigner I wouldn't wanna live anywhere but in London in the UK due to its cosmopolitanism, even though it's bloody expesnvie and overall no good value for money. But Devon&Cornwall, Kent, Bath, Cotswolds, Lake District are all pretty nice regions to visit (and there are more where I haven't been)) - when it is not raining.

i woundnt mind living in manchester

pundit wrote:Seems hometown bias is the only consistent feature in this thread...

Not on my part, mate. My home town is Darlington, in the north-east. It's not the worst town in the world, far from it, but if I didn't have all my family there I'd gladly never go back again.

Real

You'd be in your element in Manchester

Just think off all those boxers you could Stalk in Manc Land!!!

Kevin wrote:Real

You'd be in your element in Manchester

Just think off all those boxers you could Stalk in Manc Land!!!

Ian 'Mr' McNeilly wrote: Deserter - understand the Bournemouth call but a lot of seaside towns (don't know about Bmouth) have become havens for pissheads and it must be wearing to live there.

Bristol was canny, quite liked it there. One of Britain's most overrated towns is Bath. Was pleased to see it featured so highly in the very entertaining volume 'Craptowns 2'.

As I'm getting older, I fancy somewhere quieter. I'd love to have the brass to live in the country somewhere.

It's fair comment about the seaside towns - Bournemouth was the exception to the rule when I was there as it's a predominantly middle-class, affluent area (with Poole standing in as the slightly down-at-heel, rougher neighbour), but things could well have changed over the last few years.
I like Bristol and was interested in your comments on Bath, as there's a reasonable chance I'll be working there soon! It's always struck me as a beautiful place, but that's as a frequent day visitor rather than as a resident.
I'm with you on the final statement though. It's why I love the West Country - areas like Exmoor and the North Devon coast are nowhere near as commercialised as the south coast and surprisingly free of tourists a lot of the time, while the climate's infinitely preferable to the North!
I used to be desperate to live in London during my 20s, but now I'm in my mid-30s that particular itch has almost disappeared...

I don't know the best place to live in the UK, but I can guarentee Cannock's amongst the worst

Lived just outside Cardiff for three years - not there now, but miss it like f.

Now living in the sticks and all my old mates have left to pastures new.

I visted Whitney on a few occasions, have friends there - that is a place where I would recommend visiting/living - not sure what the nightlife is like, but everything is close by and the people seem really friendly. Also a clean smell about the town.

Went to Dublin for the Rugby, cannot say I was impressed. I assume it is because of the smoking ban, but the pubs were cleaner than the town which was I found quite dirty (compared to Cardiff) - Although it was only a weekend and surely not the best time to judge it - so sorry to Dublin Folk.

North Wales is soul destroying, steer well clear! Have to say I love London, my brother moved last year just outside Tunbridge Wells thats pretty nice around there. I guess it depends what you're looking for.

Ian 'Mr' McNeilly wrote:

pundit wrote:Seems hometown bias is the only consistent feature in this thread...

Not on my part, mate. My home town is Darlington, in the north-east. It's not the worst town in the world, far from it, but if I didn't have all my family there I'd gladly never go back again.

Yeah Skerne park will do that to a fella

Big things are planned for Birmingham, with billions being spent in the near future (and billions already spent). It's the best place to be

Some awesome buildings and attractions are being developed in Birmingham. I can't wait.

stujones wrote: Went to Dublin for the Rugby, cannot say I was impressed. I assume it is because of the smoking ban, but the pubs were cleaner than the town which was I found quite dirty (compared to Cardiff) - Although it was only a weekend and surely not the best time to judge it - so sorry to Dublin Folk.

I feel compelled to respond here. Twice I have been to Dublin and both times found the city clean, friendly, great food and the
GUINNESS!!!!!
OH MY GOD!!!!

Seriously, Stu, you should go back, you must have caught the Dub's on a bad weekend, coz I was impressed by the state of the city both times.
To come back to topic, I have spent lot's of time in West Sussex.

Worthing was a lovely town 10-15 years ago - i would go so far as to call it my perfect little corner of the world. Perfect balance of countryside, seaside and ever so slightly cosmopolitan feel.
I have heard that it is expanding/developing, though.

London, by far. I'm from the West Midlands (West Bromwich, same as Young Muttley), which is a shithole although I agree Brum is improving.

Only downside about London is, of course, you need plenty of coin.

probably not Widnes, and definitely not Croydon. (only two places I've lived)..

bigzab wrote:

stujones wrote: Went to Dublin for the Rugby, cannot say I was impressed. I assume it is because of the smoking ban, but the pubs were cleaner than the town which was I found quite dirty (compared to Cardiff) - Although it was only a weekend and surely not the best time to judge it - so sorry to Dublin Folk.

I feel compelled to respond here. Twice I have been to Dublin and both times found the city clean, friendly, great food and the
GUINNESS!!!!!
OH MY GOD!!!!

Seriously, Stu, you should go back, you must have caught the Dub's on a bad weekend, coz I was impressed by the state of the city both times.
To come back to topic, I have spent lot's of time in West Sussex.

Worthing was a lovely town 10-15 years ago - i would go so far as to call it my perfect little corner of the world. Perfect balance of countryside, seaside and ever so slightly cosmopolitan feel.
I have heard that it is expanding/developing, though.

Guiness, the world's most overrated drink, like drinking cold coffee through a week old sports sock.....and my family's Irish.