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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To relocate up north

284 replies

StonwEd · 01/04/2024 12:08

From East Anglia? Has anyone done it? Am I mad?
I’ve just spent yet another lovely week in the Lake District, greater Manchester and Derbyshire. We do this often although not as often as I would like due to very low holiday allowance.
Daydreaming a bit but also not really.
Kids all moved out, own my house outright, prob will sell for around £375k.
Enjoy my job but it’s crap money and hasn’t really got prospects but it is a field I’m sure I can get another job in and I’ve seen plenty of remote working jobs that are related (and better paid 🙄)
Husband is on board with this fantasy, he has a small business so can work anywhere.
I had kids very young so have lived in my home town all my life. Never left but always wanted to.
I’m 45 and I’m finally thinking it might be time. Financially as long as I get a job, we’ll be fine, and I’m so poorly paid as it is, shop or bar work will be fine to start with.
I’ve got a fair bit of savings and I’m thinking of travelling round the north for a couple of months, stay in local b&bs and to know some areas better before we take the plunge. I’d have to quit my job obvs but it’s a risk I’m starting to think is worth it…

And most importantly, where should we be looking? Want nature on our doorstep, but easy access to a town.

OP posts:
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colourfulchinadolls · 01/04/2024 14:27

MeMyCatsAndMyBooks · 01/04/2024 12:11

I did, I wouldn't do it again if I had the chance. The areas up north are extremely poor.

Bit of a generalisation there! 😂

CarrieCardigan · 01/04/2024 14:26

@StonwEd but if I was you, I’d buy a small property in the area I like then use the rest to travel whilst still young and healthy enough to enjoy that. I’m older than you but my younger two boys are still in primary school. Take advantage of your decision to have kids young. 👍

StaunchMomma · 01/04/2024 14:26

MeMyCatsAndMyBooks · 01/04/2024 12:11

I did, I wouldn't do it again if I had the chance. The areas up north are extremely poor.

What, all of them?!

Don't be ridiculous!

If you seriously think every person North of Watford is living in poverty you are seriously deluded.

UAvoidUrProblems · 01/04/2024 14:24

Don't buy up North. Your house will decrease in value which will diminish your kids inheritance. It's anti-social in many places. Also lower life expectancy up there.

Rent out your house and use the rental to rent a place up North, so if you don't like it, you can move back home. If you're happy there after a year or so, then buy.

CarrieCardigan · 01/04/2024 14:24

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twilightermummy · 01/04/2024 14:22

I was only saying this morning that a lot of Southerners have moved up North to my area.

There are some beautiful places up here. Our UK holidays have mostly been spent in the Lakes, Scotland and Whitby in recent years.

StonwEd · 01/04/2024 14:21

I know the north is an enormous place, I’ve stated a few times now that we have no idea at the present time where we would want to live.
There’s so much helpful stuff on here though, we do have time and financial security on our side so next thing is to do lots and lots of trips. And definitely out of season, that’s a very good point.

OP posts:
FlissyPaps · 01/04/2024 14:21

MeMyCatsAndMyBooks · 01/04/2024 12:11

I did, I wouldn't do it again if I had the chance. The areas up north are extremely poor.

Typical Mumsnet comment 😂😂

OP, do it! There are areas with high deprivation, but the South has those too, so don’t be put off. We have beautiful countryside, great vibrant cities, gorgeous coastlines and welcoming people. (I’m Yorkshire, and wouldn’t live anywhere else).

Vistada · 01/04/2024 14:19

bossybloss · 01/04/2024 12:49

Where I live , we have lovely beaches, access to Wales and the Lake District, good schools … and three bed semi for £250,000. And no, not telling where I am 😉

Alright cilla ;)

Lovingthegrungerevival · 01/04/2024 14:18

MrsKeats · 01/04/2024 13:54

What like Harrogate, York, Didsbury, Formby etc etc?
Get a grip.

Plus areas of Cheshire....all areas with million pound plus houses and very high earners with huge amounts of disposable income.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 01/04/2024 14:11

Don't be so daft @MeMyCatsAndMyBooks
Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, Harrogate, York all have wealthy areas, with property values that surprise relocators. The "golden triangle" of Harrogate, York and N Leeds (Alwoodley, Bramhope) is very much not "extremely poor". Hallamshire ward in SW Sheffield, bordering on the Peak District (Nick Clegg's old constituency) is one of the least deprived wards in Europe, and was once the least deprived (ie: highest disposable income). I don't use social deprecation stats for work anymore more so in no longer up to date. Wilmslow and Alderley Edge are serious premier league footballer land. But for you, I suggest a holiday to Goole and Mexborough, so you can maintain your fantasy.

(And yes, I live in Yorkshire, but was born and grew up in central London, SW1, so I do know what I'm missing nighttime public transport)

MyGooseisTotallyLoose · 01/04/2024 14:07

Well for 'the North' I was thinking Wick!

MrsKeats · 01/04/2024 14:06

Honestly I hate this sweeping attitude to the north suggesting it's all poverty, flat caps and whippets. It's so ignorant.

AllyCart · 01/04/2024 14:05

MrsKeats · 01/04/2024 13:54

What like Harrogate, York, Didsbury, Formby etc etc?
Get a grip.

We stayed in an apartment in York a few weeks ago. It sold for £1.1m in 2021. Zoopla showing an estimate of over £1.4m now.

The north has many million-pound-plus apartments. The epitome of poor, obviously.

Hankunamatata · 01/04/2024 14:04

Or south shields, tynemouth, seaburn

ManchesterBeatrice · 01/04/2024 13:59

MeMyCatsAndMyBooks · 01/04/2024 12:11

I did, I wouldn't do it again if I had the chance. The areas up north are extremely poor.

Where did you relocate?

ThinWomansBrain · 01/04/2024 13:56

as you can afford the time to explore, do that - and ideally 'out of season' so you see what the towns are really like.
A friend of mine relocated, and spent around six months of short breaks, partially looking at property, but mostly what individual towns and villages had to offer.
She really likes where she is, moved house after a couple of years, but still in the town she chose initially.

LiterallyOnFire · 01/04/2024 13:55

MeMyCatsAndMyBooks · 01/04/2024 12:11

I did, I wouldn't do it again if I had the chance. The areas up north are extremely poor.

What? ALL of them?

MrsKeats · 01/04/2024 13:54

MeMyCatsAndMyBooks · 01/04/2024 12:11

I did, I wouldn't do it again if I had the chance. The areas up north are extremely poor.

What like Harrogate, York, Didsbury, Formby etc etc?
Get a grip.

Willyoujustbequiet · 01/04/2024 13:46

CloverOrwell · 01/04/2024 13:22

It sounds like a good idea in your circumstances. I would recommend the North East - somewhere close to Morpeth maybe, which has good train links to the south and Scotland, and good access to Newcastle by road, bus and train. Surrounded by stunning countryside and close to the coast, with loads of amenities both in Morpeth and the surrounding towns, especially Cramlington.

I second this. Northumberland is fabulous. Drier than the west with the most stunning countryside and beaches.

Twinty2 · 01/04/2024 13:45

As long as it’s not Manchester, have more than are fair share of southerners moving here. Go Leeds or somewhere else

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