From BMX to MTB?

Hi folks,
I'm new on here, and as I've mentioned in my intro thread I live next to Cannock Chase and have only just started riding MTB at the age of 34!
I've come from many years of riding BMX so as you can imagine even a small MTB feels rather large haha!
So I'm 5'6 and I'm currently riding a 2011 Carrera Vulcan which does the job, but the forks aren't great and it feels quite heavy.
Ideally I want something that feels like a BMX, but with gears and bigger wheels. I like the idea of a single front sprocket and small frame, with a nice light and simple design... Any ideas?
I don't have a budget and I'm happy to buy second-hand if the bike is in good nick, but I'd like to keep to around the £700 mark seeing as I'm only just starting out in MTB
I'm new on here, and as I've mentioned in my intro thread I live next to Cannock Chase and have only just started riding MTB at the age of 34!
I've come from many years of riding BMX so as you can imagine even a small MTB feels rather large haha!
So I'm 5'6 and I'm currently riding a 2011 Carrera Vulcan which does the job, but the forks aren't great and it feels quite heavy.
Ideally I want something that feels like a BMX, but with gears and bigger wheels. I like the idea of a single front sprocket and small frame, with a nice light and simple design... Any ideas?
I don't have a budget and I'm happy to buy second-hand if the bike is in good nick, but I'd like to keep to around the £700 mark seeing as I'm only just starting out in MTB

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The alternative is a dirt jump bike but they aren't any good for covering miles.
Nothing makes me laugh more than seeing a chav on a bmx thats 2 sizes too small for him and with the saddle lowered right down to the bottom.
Traditional BMX bikes are more or less all the same size, with main variation being the length of the top tube. Having the seat set at the minimum height aids clearance for tricks like tailwhips and turndowns, as you're very rarely going to need to 'sit' on a BMX. As for chavs, well I can't comment as I don't know any that ride BMX bikes.