OK, in case you haven't figured it out from my Ashes posts, I'm an Aussie (don't hold it against me, I do have a British passport as well 
). Been over here 4 years now, all that time my wife and I have lived in London; great city, lots to see and do, but at the end of the day I'm more of an outdoors boy, so I haven't really gelled with the place. My wife is the breadwinner though and seeing as she's had a good job here that's what's kept us in London for so long.
Now though, she's getting tired of her job (now working way too hard and no suggestions of promotion etc), so she's starting to look for a new employer. Seems like a good opportunity to look further afield then London, so I'm trying to figure out areas that'll be good for us both.
Ideally what I'd love is:
- easy access to the countryside (like jump on my bike and be out in the hills straight away if possible)
- affordable rental, would really like to have a place with a garage instead of a tiny 1 bed flat!
ideally what she'd love is:
- at least some of the arts/culture of London
- decent shopping
- good & affordable links to London for weekends away
Mrs P is currently employed as a Marketing Manager with a Finance software solutions provider. I'm currently in the Travel industry, but pretty bored with it and looking for something new to do. At the end of the day it's her employment that's important though, she's the breadwinner not me 
So, where would be good? All suggestions and advice welcome from the STW massive 
