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would you relocate from lovely small city to south east?

7 replies

rubyblue · 19/04/2011 13:33

DH's job is under threat at the moment so looking at potential move for new job in south-east. We live in a lovely northern city at the moment, nice house, garden, school round the corner, my family closeby and wide circle of friends. However, we both have itchy feet in terms of 'is this it?' but for me, it's outweighed by all the advantages, not least living in a compact city with lots to do.
But, DH v unhappy in his job and we may have to decide quickly on the move which would mean me giving up my job, salary, pension, flexible working, family, friends....agggghhhh. I go round in circles about this. We cannot live on my salary alone so if it came to it, we should move for DH's career but I'm so scared.
Anyone done this? How long did it take you to settle in? Find schools, nurseries etc??

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tallulah · 19/04/2011 16:12

Whereabouts in the SE?

We moved in 2009 from the SE (where we have always lived- and we are in our 40s) to the SW. Amazed at the difference. People speak to you. Drivers don't beep all the time. Really rough-looking youths help you with your pushchair.

Where we used to live everyone is always in a hurry and under stress. Hundreds of new houses but no GPs/ schools/ dentists/ decent roads for all the new people to use. Had to get in the car to go anywhere, but that was probably the particular place we lived in.

We hate going back "home".

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MadameCastafiore · 19/04/2011 16:15

We moved from the outskirts of London/Kent to north essex and it is fab - best thing we ever did. Crime rate lower, state schools better, DH still holds his old job - commute is no longer which is odd considering it is so much further out and I have a fab job at the local hospital.

Village life is brilliant, everyone here is very friendly and it takes no time at all to meet people and make friends - people away form big cities or even small ones ar so much more willing to talk to you and be your friend IMO.

Good Luck

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nickelbaalamb · 19/04/2011 16:16

I moved from Nottingham to Sittingbourne.

Big city to tiny town.
Except I moved to the countryside outside of the town.

I like it, though.
It's always hard to make friends, but you can join societies etc.
I joined the WI, and a church choir, and made loads of friends that way.

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nickelbaalamb · 19/04/2011 16:17

(i live in the town itself now, and it's friendly enough)

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26minutes · 19/04/2011 16:18

DP recently moved from the south east to the south coast with me. He's always hated where he lived (not just the town, but the entire county). He's much happier, he gets really down when we go back up. SIL also recently moved from there to the west and she is the same.

Is there another area DH can relocate to?

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HugeGrant · 19/04/2011 21:51

Well, we're doing the opposite and looking to move from the SE to a small city away from London, so I'm biased.

There are lots of decent (and probably overpriced!) areas to live here, but we crave somewhere greener, with more space. It seems like you have a lovely set up where you are... so I guess its on with researching SE areas as much as you can which must be difficult if you haven't much time. So good luck whatever you choose to do.

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crw1234 · 24/04/2011 21:06

Its going to really depend where - we are moving to east anglia from NE -for OH job - but its a place we know well - my parents are there - and have a few friends there -and I was made redundant end of the month so my job wasn't an issue - still its a big thing - mumsnet local site has been very useful for helping me with specific areas and other stuff like school and childcare. My OH was also unhappy in his job and had looked for quite a while in the local area with no joy - is there nothing local avaiable? the other thing is housing - we will in a much smaller house.

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