Re: Living in Suffolk
'although I've never met anyone who likes living in lowestoft.'
Allow me to be the exception. Granted, the town centre isn't the most salubrious but construction of a new river crossing - commencing in the New Year - will solve the only real traffic hang-up and provide the catalyst for planned regeneration. There's on hourly direct train to London on Greater Anglia's new fleet and Norwich is near enough for a city pub crawl. Plenty of work in the offshore renewables industry, though Oil & Gas in the doldrums; CEFAS just finishing construction of their national base, and with Sizewell C planned down the road, there's skilled work aplenty. Hand on heart, it can't compete with Bury in terms of 'quintessential Englishness '. Oulton Broad is the jewel in the crown, house prices are lower than the rest of the county and, being pressed against the sea, there's limited scope for large scale development to accommodate city escapees. Pakefield has the best selection of pubs. Kessingland also worth a look at. Southwold nearby, but best avoided unless you like to share your overpriced pint with London luvvies drinking white wine and complaining about the dreadful locals who voted for Brexit - still. North of the river, Blundeston and Corton are quiet little backwaters, if lacking in character. Generally speaking, it's a place on the up and Covid is generating an influx of early retirees looking to downsize and settle by the coast.
From a riding point of view, Harwich is only 60 miles for a ferry to the Hoek of Holland, but local roads offer pretty boring riding and you have to do the miles to get to most rallies etc. Weather's generally good, and dry, but those winter Easterlies cut to the bone.