When we had to move from Derbyshire, husband couldn't cope with Matlock steep streets and needed space for my mother so we had specific requirements. We looked on Rightmove over a wide section of the country and in the end physically looked at 2 or 3 houses, one we thought was going to be right but the garden was too small and the other i didn't like the look of. We couldn't look inside but were allowed in the garden, we bought it. I think the house picks you in the end and at least with the internet you can look at hundreds without leaving your chair,
So far we have met no anti-British sentiment here in Ireland, to our surprise and pleasure. (It would certainly be justified, reading local history.)
We moved from West Yorks at the end of 2019 for various reasons - including Brexit, but primarily because our house would be unsuitable if we became unable to manage the 50 steps up to the house (and 27 stairs once you're in it). We found a bungalow with a third of an acre (small for Ireland but big for me!), half a mile from the tiny town (less than 1000 inhabitants) which is a hub for the local area, and therefore has all the amenities one could wish for, including doctor, dentist, vet, ambulance station, butcher, library, small supermarket etc. We're also half a mile from Loch Derg, and there's enough up-and-down to satisfy us, though it's nowhere near as steep as our previous area. It's an hour's drive from our daughter, SIL and granddaughters. We're convinced we did the right thing.
So: though clearly at the moment, @GemmaJF, your moving might have to be put on hold - researching and planning can take a long time, which gives you the opportunity to work out what's really important to you so that you don't make a mistake. We had to reject a lot of wonderful houses in gorgeous locations because we'd made a list of "must have's" which couldn't be ignored - the main one being that a doctor and shops had to be within walking distance. Your "essentials" list will no doubt be different but just as important for your eventual happiness.
Good luck! And to @Fire too, if you decide now is the right time to make your move.
Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
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I know you said you didn’t want flat and wanted some hills but the Lincolnshire worlds which is an AONB could fit the bill?
https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/discovering/welcome-to-the-lincolnshire-wolds
I think the house picks you in the end and at least with the internet you can look at hundreds without leaving your chair,
Happy hunting
We moved from West Yorks at the end of 2019 for various reasons - including Brexit, but primarily because our house would be unsuitable if we became unable to manage the 50 steps up to the house (and 27 stairs once you're in it). We found a bungalow with a third of an acre (small for Ireland but big for me!), half a mile from the tiny town (less than 1000 inhabitants) which is a hub for the local area, and therefore has all the amenities one could wish for, including doctor, dentist, vet, ambulance station, butcher, library, small supermarket etc. We're also half a mile from Loch Derg, and there's enough up-and-down to satisfy us, though it's nowhere near as steep as our previous area. It's an hour's drive from our daughter, SIL and granddaughters. We're convinced we did the right thing.
So: though clearly at the moment, @GemmaJF, your moving might have to be put on hold - researching and planning can take a long time, which gives you the opportunity to work out what's really important to you so that you don't make a mistake. We had to reject a lot of wonderful houses in gorgeous locations because we'd made a list of "must have's" which couldn't be ignored - the main one being that a doctor and shops had to be within walking distance. Your "essentials" list will no doubt be different but just as important for your eventual happiness.
Good luck! And to @Fire too, if you decide now is the right time to make your move.