Anyone moved from London/south to East Midlands? happy or not?

[beaglesaresweet]

Just really wanted to hear how the transition went for you, any pleasant/unpleasant surprises? do you find people friendly or sticking to their own? are social divides more noticeable than in london (I don't mean money, but in london all sorts tend to mix apart from mega-rich)?

Any tips re nice countryside (to walk/visit)?

Obviously I know that a bigger house is a plus, but apart from that.

[MrsJohnDeere]

Yes, recently moved from SE to the East Midlands. So far so good .

People are very friendly but then they were where I lived before. My observations are that people do a lot more - exercise, improving activities, book clubs, volunteering, socialising - but that's a function of everyone being home from work by 5/6pm. Where we lived before (commuter land) it was typical for the dh (very occasionally the dw) to work in London and not be home until 8/9pm and to travel a lot so these things were harder.

The other thing I've noticed is that people take their shoes off when they visit people's houses. Very rarely came across this where we used to live!

Happy to answer anything about areas, schools etc by PM.

[TheElementsSong]

We did it, almost 3 years ago now, for DH's work. Overall, we're very glad we did - a much better quality of life especially with small DC.

[beaglesaresweet]

thank you, MrsJohn and TheElement!

Sounds positive - from my visits I noticed that people aer quite active and less tired than londoners, so it confirms it.

Will pm a bit later, Mrs.

What about better/worse areas, meaning nicer countryside generally? any 'cultural' places? I've heard on 'Best of both worlds' (Kirsty) htat Leicester has some culture but she didn't go onto detail. Though for me easy access to nice country surrounds (though I won't live in a village now) are even more important.

Btw, any cons, compared to SE? could as well prepare myself

[beaglesaresweet]

shoes off - noticed with some vendors when viewing but they were of euro origin. The trad English couple (though young) didn't ask for that.

[FunkyBoldRibena]

It's all about the location IMHO.

I moved to the Midlands 17 years ago; missed my chums for ages but found lots more up here. All the major cities have some culture for example Derby has an International Photo Festival each year...you just have to seek out 'culture' a little more. Plus more chance of bigger house for your money and of getting an allotment.

[mateysmum]

We used to live in the E Midlands. There is some beautiful countryside with choc box villages - like the Cotswolds but without the tourists.

Which part of the area are you looking at?

To the East of Leicester, the area around Melton Mowbray - Oakham is lovely if you like country towns and villages.

Communications are very good as you have the M1/A1/M69/M42 all very handy and there are plenty of trains that get you to London in well under 2hrs.

It's very different from the SE, but we loved living there. Nottingham/Leicester and Derby are the 3 main cities and all have something to offer.

[Doobydoo]

We are twixt Lincoln and Grantham...lots of RAF activity.Grammar schools etc.Hoping to move in 3 years as don't like it...you can get lots of property for your money if you are selling property in London.

[beaglesaresweet]

Funky, thanks for the info re festivals. What about best aeras for country walks/scenery?

matey, I'm mainly considering Derby as it's on a quicker train line than Nott, and it has good parks (but still am a bit undecided - maybe due to it's being unfamiliar). From vague memory I didn't like Leicester, but maybe I should look at it? My budget is plenty for all these three cities, but I think Oakham etc are more expensive - and the links to london not so good.
Still great to know where to visit - I do like country towns/villages. Didn't realise that it's on the par with cotswolds over there, thank for that. Any other specific places - please let me know.

[beaglesaresweet]

thanks, Dooby, I'm not really looking at that northern end as it's slower to london, and smaller cities. Are you moving elsewhere in the Mids or a different place? RAF wouldn't attract me either , is there anything else you don't like?
I happened to sell two yrs ago (in london) so I got less than what I would have done now, but yes, I'm mainly choosing the area for its good value property, and good links.

[Doobydoo]

Back to Suffolk Hurrah...where I grew up.I used to live in Derby about 40 years ago though...did gothere a fewyears ago for a courseand was impressed with what I saw.I got the train and walked to the Nursing place I had a meeting at...leafy and boulevardy

[Doobydoo]

Did commute from GranthamtoLondon for a while...v expensive and knackering.Schools re Grammar if that is what you are after are good.
Culturally I think lacking though and obv the airforce presence isn't everyones cup oftea..tho you do see the red arrows training.

[Lambstales]

Forget Oakham if you want to commute to London.
Have another look at Leicester (has a John Lewis). The inner city estates are not too pleasant but there are lovely areas to the south of the city, such as Clarendon Park, Stoneygate and Knighton. These areas are a walk or bus to the station.
Further south you have Market Harborough (with a station) becoming popular and pricey.
Between the two mentioned you have Oadby (Waitrose) and Great Glen.

People tend to be friendly. Shop in the same place a few times...
In the pubs you'll always get a greeting at Great Glen or the Langtons.

[beaglesaresweet]

Dooby, ah Suffolk is really nice! I wistfully looked at it on roghtmove - so much character houses, but for me it's too remote, and connection to london is to Liv street which is miles away from where I usually am in london. But you are lucky if it suits your life.

Lamb, yes not considering Oakham. I've heard that there might be a JL in derby too eventually (in a few yrs time if the development gets permission). Yes, Clarendon Park was mentioned on this week's programme. Would you still shop in hte centre - and is it ok? what about parks? I'm leaning towards Derby at the moment due to nice town centre and parks. How does it compare, in your opinion? And do you know anything about 'culture' in Leic as mentioned by Kirsty?

I've been to Maket H couple of years ago, but I didn't warm up to it somehow - too small for me I think or maybe too quiet. It's ok but I wasn't charmed.

I actually think i'd like Uppingham and Oakham both of which I saw on tv, but the trains aren't good.

[beaglesaresweet]

so MANY houses

[Tyranasaurus]

I'm not particularly keen on Leicester.
Derby has the Westfield shopping centre which is nice and new, but I've always thought feels more like a town than a city
Nottingham city centre is the biggest of the 3 and probably your best bet for interesting things/culture
Lincoln is lovely but not so great for getting anywhere else from.

Countrysidewise I like the peak but would say live somewhere you can drive to the peak from rather than in it if you will need to commute.

[TheElementsSong]

Leicester has good bits and bad bits. As Lambstales says, the suburbs of Clarendon Park, Stoneygate and Knighton are pleasant and leafy, with a choice of decent schools and local shopping streets with cafes and delis. Crucially, it has John Lewis and a Waitrose, which were amongst my conditions for choosing a city

Culturally, there are a few theatres and art galleries, which provide some interesting stuff for adults and DC - have a look at The Curve, De Montfort Hall and Embrace Arts. The Phoenix is the arts cinema and has a nice cafe doing good dinner deals. There are also a couple of nice little museums - my DC love the dinosaurs at New Walk Museum.

It also doesn't take long to drive out to some rather nice surrounding countryside.

[MrsJohnDeere]

I'm not a huge fan of Derby, Leicester or Nottingham, but I'm not a city person. N'ham is my favourite of the 3. But all have wonderful countryside and lovely villages nearby.

Do you have Dcs? If so, were you planning on state or private schools? That might help you narrow the search down to certain areas. We ruled put a fair few houses/villages in Derbyshire and Notts on the basis of schools (secondary more than primary).

[beaglesaresweet]

Tyranasaurus, agree that Derby feels like a town, but that's not a bad thing for me. I'd actually not wat to live in big mids city (Birmingham makes me shudder with all the industrial look and vast distances), I'd really only live in London out of all big cities in the south half of the country. Otherwise I'm happy to live in a town if it's pleasant and has nice countryside around. I don't want to cross long distance through a city or stick to one nice suburb. From this point of view, Derby is nice and convenient with some really nice shops/places to eat ther now, and history to a place.
Is the peak easy distance from derby?
TheElement, thanks for this - very useful, even if I dont live in leicester it will be nearby. re JL and waitrose! no waitrose in derby (though there is m&s) which is not great but they talk about a new John Lewis in the centre.
What are good thing s about Nott? no dc, but my mum will be staying with me often as she is getting older so I need a place with good buses/trains. I'd like a nice large village theoretically, but not atm for various reasons.

[SugarMiceInTheRain]

I used to live in Surrey and now live in Leicestershire. Love it. I do miss my friends from down South but housing and cost of living is so much more realistic here. Leicester City Centre only 10-15 minutes away has everything you need, but we are surrounded by beautiful countryside. People will talk to you on public transport rather than edge away from you or ignore, as they do in London!

[Needadvice5]

I live in Derby! Feel very positive about it mostly!

I live close to Elvaston Castle, it's very pretty and very green were I am.

Dc both attend really good schools, the Westfield is brilliant for shopping, excellent hospitals (but I am a little biased as work in one of them).

Close to EMA and M1.

PM me if you need anything else and I will be as honest as I can!

[FunkyBoldRibena]

I'm not far from you then needadvice5. Not far at all.

[coffeewithcreamm]

Biggest mistake of my life. Once you move up it's very hard to move back again.

[beaglesaresweet]

coffee, you mean a financial mistake? or more than that?

Sugar can you point me to the specific places to go and see regarding beautiful countryside?

Need, will pm. What's EMA?

[beaglesaresweet]

btw coffee, I think East Mids will be on the up soon, price-wise, the best of it anyway. Quite an active market currently.
I wish the trains to london were faster though.

[FunkyBoldRibena]

EMA - East Mids Airport.