North Norfolk within distance of Norwich- some good rural trains; Northumberland - border towns are lovely; Lake District- Penrith or Keswick, North Yorkshire- lots of lovely market towns. Very friendly people in all of these places. Be careful of villages- can be great but can be very insular or full of retired folk or commuters. Mixed communities better.
very true about some villages and I'd like to add cul de sacs.
My late MIL moved from Torquay to a cul de sac in a village where her daughter lived in Leicestershire. She said it would suit her down to the ground as she liked peace and quiet and no traffic.
Turned out she hated it as it was too quiet. She said she never saw a soul as most of the neighbours went to work and the only person who came up as far as her bungalow was the postman.
She used to come and stay with us and loved looking out onto the lane here as we get several people walking through to the church or cutting through to get to the shops and post office. If she was outside here maybe helping me pull a few weeds up people would often stop and have a word with her.
Places can be too quiet. a friend of mine has sold her house and is moving to another part of the country to be nearer two sisters. She is a widow and has no children but has a very wide circle of friends here and is involved with lots of craft groups, art groups, church events etc. I think she is making the wrong move myself but there.
