To feel terrified about moving to a new place

[WildebeestH]

I wasn't sure where to post this and AIBU seemed as good a place as any other.

We're in our mid 30s, two children (2.5 & 5.5), been in London for 10 years. We both grew up in the same northern city and have family there. For a while we've been trying to engineer things with jobs to move back and my DH has now been offered a role not too far away. Suddenly it feels possible but having yearned for change I'm now terrified. How will we find an in year school place when most primaries there seem to be oversubscribed? Will we find a house? Make new friends? Etc etc.

AIBU to think it's all terrifying? And can anyone offer reassurance from their own experience? Or advice on how to go about things and minimise stress and disruption for the whole family?

[RatherBeRiding]

Start with the schools - do some research about the best schools and how difficult/easy it is to get in. FWIW I live in a northern city and schools admission is most definitely not a problem, probably because there are very few schools that you wouldn't want your child to get in to. In which case, if you are moving from scratch as it were - choose your schools first then look at houses.

[Redhound]

I moved, alone, to a new area that I did not know and where I didn't know a soul, nearly 200 miles from home.
This was 2 years ago and I am soo happy in my beautiful, exciting new area, I have made new friends, met a lovely new man and have a new job I enjoy and new hobbies! Best thing I have ever done, though it was a bit scary at the time! Good luck :)

[WildebeestH]

That's fantastic Redhound! We did it when we came to London and it turned out well but it feels different this time. I think it's the added complications of school/pre-school/childcare. I'm terrified of doing something that damages our little people. Rationally I know they're young enough to bounce back but I'm still scared.

The school situation where you live, RatherBeRiding, sounds similar. I want to focus on schools first but then you can't apply without an address.

[magimedi]

Back in the mists of time, I had 14 moves in 22 years & survived.

A wonderful teacher I had at school had the mantra that:

"Change is always positive, even if it doesn't seem so at the time".

You'll be fine, things have a way of working out.