Norf / south divide

[Soggy Gussets]

Need to spend 100k to make the family home in the south east liveable for the expanding family, but seriously contemplating moving back up norf and have seen some belter houses outskirts of Durham for 350-400k, so could move back and considerably reduce mortgage, take a lower paid job, quality of life, blah de fookin blah ....

Seems like a no brainer, but work is more plentifull and better paid in the south, it's at least 10' fookin warmer and when it comes to the crunch it's difficult to jump off the hamsters wheel

Anybody made the move back after 15 years or so away and had any regrets ??

And also advise areas to live around Durham as far north as S'land....or more importantly, where not to....nice villagey type places