London or outside

[Emmie412]

DD is soon three and we are currently wondering whether we should take the plunge and move outside London, namely to the south side as husband works in Bank so train lines to London Bridge are our best bets. Now, although I am trying to stay positive, what I have found out so far is that:

• commuting can be extremely dreary, especially if there are delays or you do not get a seat on the train
  
• commuting time is not just '40mins on the train' as you have to factor in getting to the station and getting to the office
  
• there are naff and boring bits everywhere, you can google any place and find someone complaining about chavs in that area
  
• prices aren't necessarily that much cheaper than in London and when you factor in the ever increasing train fares you may end up with more expensive living costs than before
  
• and finally, my main concern what if I end up being very lonely and isolated?
  

Those of you that have taken the plunge, where did you move and have you enjoyed it?

[Goodwordguide]

We're about too because we can't afford a big enough house here and the choice of secondary school is very complicated (selective/church/single-sex etc) and I can't face the admissions process or not knowing where the DCs will go to school.

We will commute but, to be honest, I've always had to commute within London anyway and I'd rather get one train with a seat than my current journey of bus/train/tube, all standing.

We live in SW London and everywhere we have looked is cheaper than here.

[Boozel]

We made the move from living in London (near Balham) to Surrey (small village near Dorking). We absolutely love it.

To address your concerns:

1. Our train starts in Dorking, so we always get a seat in the morning. On the way home as long as we get to the station a few minutes before train departs we get a seat, but if we turn up as the doors are closing yes we have to stand for a few stops until people get off. Also depends what time we go home - if we go home a bit later (ie after 6.30pm) then we tend to get a seat. It's only the trains between 5 and 7 that are really busy.
   

We are on the train for 45/50 minutes. I like reading, so the time actually goes really quickly and I actually quite enjoy it.

The train is normally quite civilised too, just commuters.

Not really had too many delays yet, just the odd one when there is a person under a train or something. However as we can travel from either Waterloo or Victoria on different lines normally one or the other line is working ok.

1. The time it takes to get to the office (in my case Waterloo to Bank) is rubbish. Waterloo and City Line is dreadful. Best bet is to buy a pair of trainers and run.
   

1. There are no chavs in our small village. Well I have not seen any! Yes I have seen some 'chavs' in Dorking but on the whole it is nice and yes you do get chavs everywhere . There are a lot less really dodgy looking people / people who I feel threatened by here than in London.
   

1. We got a large 3 bedroomed house for the same price our shoebox flat in London went for. So we got much more for our money. Yes Surrey is still not cheap but the nice parts of Surrey are cheaper than the nice parts of central London. We have a big garden now too.
   

1. Whether you get lonely is partly up to you - if you are prepared to get involved in the local community, join clubs etc and make an effort to meet people I don't see why you will be lonely.
   

I do miss out on some stuff going on in London (I often choose not to go to social things happening in London at weekends as I can't face the commute on the weekend as well as Monday-Friday) but I have made my own life outside of London so I am not too bothered. I will sometimes go into London if its something important like a birthday etc.

Also some of my London friends love coming to stay in my country pad too so I actually see more of some of them than when I lived in London!!

Overall I think a lot depends on what kind of people you are - DP and I are real country folk - we love waling the dog, I horse ride, we both run and cycle a lot so it really suits us being in the sticks. We felt really trapped living in London so living in the country is just amazing for us. Also Dorking has a cinema / theatre, gym, swimming pool, couple of restaurants which is enough for us. However if you are 'City' types who like nice coffee shops, funky restaurants and bars, shopping etc then you might be better off staying in London. It's a really personal choice.

Good luck.