So, I eventually left London

[Mewli]

I was reading on here how some would like/love to move out of London. I remember having that sentiment for such a long time...
I worked in City/Central London for most of my working life. When I bought a house shortly after starting work, my main criteria was to find somewhere near a station where I could hop on the tube and be at work in 30 minutes.
Enter east London.
I figured when the husband finally showed up we could up and move to somewhere more desirable. I wasn't clued up on good locations and schools. I bought in a nice enough street. 15 years later I had the husband and the kids but was still living in the same house. But living so close to the city and being able to spring into the kids schools if anything happened in 30 minutes meant I was now trapped in East London. Did I also mention my annual season ticket was around £1200? The fear of having a big mortgage, a big commute and a huge season ticket bill kept me longer than I should.
However, I longed to live in a nice area near the woods and streams. Somewhere with nicer air.
Just before the pandemic, I upped and moved to Wokingham about 6 miles from Reading. I worried about diverse schools for the kids but they have settled down reasonably well. There are some Asian shops about 3 miles from me with Plantain and Gari. The singing and dancing African shops (food, hairdressing, nails, wigs etc) are all in Reading when I can be bothered. Heathrow is approx 40 mins away . I can get beef at double the price I used to in London per kg.
But this is truly a small price to pay for the "woodland spa" around me.
I have country parks on my doorstep. I like nothing more than to walk for miles in the woods, parks. Breathing in fresh air.

If you have made the move from London, what do you enjoy about your new home?

[twilightcafe]

We left London a decade ago to move to Banbury. No regrets at all. It's diverse enough that my family don't stick out like sore thumbs, I can get my hair done and buy whatever foods I need.
If I turn left from my house on foot, I'm in town within 10 minutes; turn right and I'm in open coutnry side in 20 minutes.

[Mewli]

That's interesting @twilightcafe I wouldn't have thought there was Banbury was diverse. However, I think areas near large universities benefit from the diversity in it. Thanks for sharing

[twilightcafe]

The town was always relatively diverse but has become noticeably more so in the past 10-15 years.

When I first moved here, I had to either go to Birmingham or back to London to get my hair done. Not any more, plus you can buy whatever foodstuffs you like in town.

[Denzelstowel]

Oh I know Wokingham and Reading. I grew up between Wargrave, Sonning and Wokingham. Was not very diverse back then but I am sure things have changed. Reading is diverse I know. But still relatively expensive. If I could afford to move out of London I would head that way too.

[Delectable]

Well done girls! We're in London too and looking to move to the burbs within the year.

[TortolaParadise]

Not looking to leave London but feeling the joy for all of you who have ventured out.

[Shingy]

Hi @Mewli just wondering how you have found Wokingham so far since you have there. Considering moving there/Earley in the coming months. Drove down to Wokingham and its so lovely, the town centre didn't seem very diverse though, wondering if you are finding that it's diverse enough and if it's enjoyable living there so far?

[Mewli]

Hi @Shingy I feel very comfortable here and I am not usually bothered about the number of black faces here. The more the merrier. Black people can enjoy the good life too. This is more normalised in the US.

However, I get good vibes from this place. When I go on my morning walks I have identified about 4 black women walkers on my route. One walks her dog. Mostly we give other the "required" smile/nod as we pass by.

I have lived in and visited other places in the UK where I did not get good vibes and I could feel the unfriendliness and insularity. For me, I think, a town is open is the people are fair minded and inquisitive. This usually translates to an area with large universities and good schools on their door steps.

Diversity doesn't necessarily make a town welcoming for me, the general attitude of the people do. I try to get my kids to feel comfortable no matter where they are. I have this song that goes on in my head as I/we stomp around our neighbourhood (My papa owns the land). I am a Christian and the song derives from a bible verse which says the Earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof.

That said I lived as a lodger shortly after uni in a very small town up North. Every thing was great in the windy north sea town until one day I saw this woman running in fear away from me. I was shook. It was 1999. Hadn't they seen Will Smith in Men in Black in the cinema. Surely I am not that rare!

[BridesmaidHelp]

Funny @Mewli about the lady running away from you. There are places you go in the UK where people look at you with disgust even in 2021. I’ve noticed that on some parts of mid-Sussex. I’m hoping to move to Hampshire and wondering where I can live and not experience such looks.