This is most encouraging, thank you so much. We're still looking for a house but have sold our house now so it's all systems go. We might have to rent somewhere in order to get in the area by the January 15th school admission deadline for our three year old!

Mortimer just seems to tick so many boxes, aside from the fact my babysitters parents are there! Lovely to know there are some wine/tea sharers out there

No you are not mad. especially if your parents are here.

We moved to Mortimer a few years ago and love it. We have 2 ds's 7 and 4.
There is a lovely pre-school and also a kindergarden/nursery in the village and several other good ones in nearby villages too.

There are plenty of toddler groups in and around Mortimer and I'm sure you'll find plenty of mums who like tea and wine (and would love to share).

Sorry for the delay but thanks for the words of reassurance. The M4 is brilliant for Wales and that side of the country! And there are loads of lovely places to visit around there aren't there - farms, country parks etc. I am sure it will take some time to adjust but I'm hoping that family support will more than compensate for any sacrifices. And I might get the odd night/day out in the city which I don't now anyway!

We are living in Theale and I have a two year old daughter. We moved here for purely practical reasons. We both work in London but we didn't want to bring our daughter up in London. Theale offers a decent commute, decent schools and good access to very lovely places, including access to the M4 to get back to Wales where my parents live. It definitely takes a while to readjust to living somewhere much smaller. We moved here 9 months ago and are settling in. I haven't managed to meet many mums yet as I am working full time - though I am hoping that I will be able to meet more like-minded mums when I go to a four day week and can make it to toddler groups etc. Our daughter goes to nursery in Theale and is very happy there and I am sure that there are plenty of mums around who like tea and wine - me included!

Hello,

I guess what I'm asking is - am I mad to go back to the village I grew up in for parental support/contact with grandparents? And if I do, will I be OK? ;)

I grew up in the lovely village of Mortimer (as did my Dad!) but left for Uni and never looked back - via Cardiff, London (10 years), Sydney (6 years - had first child there) and now St Albans. I've got two little ones and might be planning a third. We love St Albans (moved here 18 months ago, great commute to London, lots to do) but as we're an hour from the nearest family (and my Mum doesn't do motorways!) we're lacking in any time to ourselves/babysitters/general support. Quite important I would have thought if we have a third! We have hardly had a moment to ourselves for over three years.

I've always lived in the city but love the country just as much, and I know how wonderful it will be for my little ones, we'd get the sort of space we need for our budget, plus it's a good commute for my partner to London and allows me to visit friends in London easily. Access to London is essential.

It seems a bit daft living in St Albans when we could live this side of London and have the benefit of grandparents close by as well as other perks such as access to West Country and the coast - St Albans feels a bit landlocked by London.

I guess I'm asking if anyone is in the same boat in the area (perhaps not moving back there but moving from city to village) and has some words or reassurance/warning?

I plan to freelance from home (I'm a journalist) but am not ruling out a return to full time work in the future. My partner works in Soho and is happy to commute.

I do like to keep busy and be social and I am wondering if there is much to do for toddlers in the immediate vicinity - are there any nurseries/preschools? Where are they? Any toddler groups? Mums groups? Like minded Mums who enjoy tea and wine?

Obviously I know the village inside out but I don't know it from the point of view of a Mum with two kids who is used to the city.

Thank you so much for any help you can offer!