Hi,

I’m 30 and recently single after a long relationship. Need to move out of our flat in Cambridge and want to move somewhere completely new, almost all my friends are either married with kids or in my ex girlfriend’s circle, so there isn’t a lot keeping me here and I’m ready for a new chapter in life.

Work-wise I just need to need to commute once a week to Reading, so I’m pretty flexible with location, but would like to be within around 1.5 hours drive from the office if possible.

I’ve also lived in London before, so would prefer something different.

Here’s what I’m after:

• Things to do: Because I’m building a new social circle from scratch it needs to have clubs/activities I can get stuck into, and preferably be in a city or near a city. I’m not into clubs/bars but want a good social scene for people in their 20s/30s. I’ve seen a lot of people mention Bristol but this is often followed up with comments around its nightlife, which isn’t really my thing.

• Somewhere charming, characterful (I love Edinburgh but it’s too far from the office, liked Cambridge too).

• Bonus points: Being near the sea would be cool, am I’m into open water swimming, also big fan of Cotswolds hikes, I’m just wary that the Cotswolds might be a bit rural too easily make friends/meet someone new.

• I’d initially like to rent a room so it’s low commitment, somewhere cheaper than Cambridge so I can keep saving up for a house.

Any ideas for places to start fresh? Coastal towns, small cities, or hidden gems— open to anything!