Move out of London

[throwitaway1234]

Hello everyone...(throw away account - sorry)
This is something I am has been discussing with my husband, but think it would be very useful for wider opinions..
We moved from North West London to a "nice" small town in Dorset around 10 years ago to start a business in the local area. We closed this business a few years ago, and now I am a SAHM, my husband works closer to London.
The problem is, neither myself nor my husband have really settled. We both miss London desperately. Both of mine and my husbands wider families are back in North West London.
Luckily, we did not sell our house in North West London, but rented it out (we also bought a house in this small town too).
We have 2 children, a 9yo and a 4yo (in reception). We have previously (pre COVID) visited local primary schools in the area of our London house, and have found one that is an academy that would most likely be able to admit both of them.
The problem I cannot get my head around...are we nuts for wanting to return to London from a "nice" rural town? I read the papers/online, it is full of parents going the other way? People worrying about crime, schools etc in London. The other downside is, my husbands commute would increase from 60minuts, to 75 minutes. He thinks this is fine though. The plan would be : move back to London house, move kids to new school, rent out "nice" rural house in Dorset (possibly sell in a couple of years).
Would really appreciate peoples thoughts on this. Such a big step/decision to make!! Thanks very much!

[AnnieMaul]

It depends on the kind of people you are. Some just prefer city life and what comes with it. On paper a rural life may seem more idyllic, but it doesn't work for everyone. What is it you miss about London aside from your families?

Having both grown up in London, we've moved further and further out. We'd never go back in a million years. We miss family of course, who are largely all still living down that way, but aside from that, don't miss it at all.

[Desiringonlychild]

Most of the people moving outside London do it because they can't afford the house that they want, near the outstanding schools and with the desired number of bedrooms/garden. With lockdown, many people want a bigger garden or house. Pre-covid, a culture of presentism in the workplace meant that people were prioritizing commute times over space. Post covid, there is hope that companies would continue to allow their employees to wfh much more (and there would be less of a culture of presentism ), so people who want the space can move further out.

I wouldn't be moving out of my London flat because I need help from family for childcare; after all it takes a village to raise a child! However if I didn't have such considerations, maybe I would move to somewhere like brighton if I didn't need to commute and had no family in London.

[FiveGensOfLove]

You probably need to think about the longer term - how do you see yourselves in 5-10 years time when you have older teenagers? What is it specifically that you miss desperately about London?
I don’t think there are ever perfect solutions so it becomes about priorities. Write down what you like about where you are, then the positives about moving back to London. Which list is longer? How you then feel about that will tell you what you need to know.
We’re about to move out of London to the countryside and I know there are things I’ll miss desperately, but am also convinced I’ll be so much happier overall.

[7OaksDad]

Just out of interest why wouldn’t you live somewhere closer to your husbands work which from what you’ve said is also closer to London. The best of both worlds might be somewhere you can enjoy London from easily, quicker commute, bigger house for your money than London and presuming. it’s the South East likely better facilities for families than a small Dorset town.