Would I be mad to up sticks and move my children (Year 6 and Year 4) to the coast near the Mumbles in Wales for a year?

[WontBeUsingPassMyParcelAgain]

Just that really.. I have an opportunity to move us to the Mumbles for a year. I would love to live by he coast and the doc are on board, but I can't decide if I would be mad to move us from everything we know to someone where we know no-one. Just the three of us.

Any advice about the area, tips if you have moved area and general thoughts gratefully received.

Oh and Bishopston is much better than Bishop Gore (in my extremely biased opinion).

I would do it. And I would just go. Not try for a year, just go. Even if it isn’t smooth sailing, it would be more disruptive to up stocks twice than to stick it it and get used to it. Take the opportunity to have a fresh start.

If the kids are onboard, I’d be very tempted. I’m sorry about your DH that must be incredibly difficult.

We absolutely love Mumbles and the Gower. I hope it all works out for you which ever way it goes but I’m secretly hoping to see an update from you in a years time to tell us about all your adventures. XX

Do it!

It sounds like you all could do with a fresh start and a life change. I applaud your bravery and sincerely hope you just go for it. People who take big risks rarely regret them, and the risk you are taking isn't irreversible so I would say absolutely go for it.

Ex army family here and I have to say personally I love moving. The fresh start, the discovery of a new area and opportunities for the children and as a family. Children are very resilient and despite being really worried about moving them they have always settled well and loved it. Obviously army moves are well supported but we have moved to a different county as civvies too. The children only look back with fondness and great memories. Good luck in whatever you decide op.

Go and live your lives. The worst case scenario here is that you just come back x

You know at least 9.5 months of that year will be drizzling and grey. Likely more. It’s a very damp part of the world

Go, go, go!

Fabulous place, wonderful people, loads of opportunities for the three of you.

Go for it, I love close to there and it's lovely. Quote pricey for wales but Defo worth it x

I made the same move. What sport happens in the midlands? Swansea is pretty well equipped sport wise so those of us living here already might be able to help.

St David's school will have places for sure but has been quite troubled. it has an amazing community though and very international.

It's a great place to live and we are very happy here. We spend a lot of time at Langland after school on the beach (as do lots of families) and I've never struggled to find something to do with the kids at weekends. Living in Mumbles you could join the lifeguard club. Instant friends!

Lots of people get very angsty about Bishopston but I don't rate it personally. Mine are off to Bishop Gore but living in Mumbles schools at senior level won't be an issue. primary might; they are over subscribed.

I don't think you will be here for the year. You will stay. Do it! Happy to help if you need more info.

Yes, it is quite damp. On the plus side it is very mild. My two boys were in the sea on the very last day of November just in shorts. I sat there watching them in a vest top.

temporary it’s fantastic to be able to do that isn’t it? The weather may be wetter here (though if you live here you have a good coat and just eat on with it), but the ability to be able to head to the beach whenever is just priceless. If it’s raining in the morning but clears in the afternoon, we just grab our stuff and head down the beach. And there is a social life that revolves around school and the beach, where we often will get there and find lots of families from school hanging out too.

Eat = get (must proofread )

Go for it. It’s sounds like a great fresh new start.

I think it sounds wonderful, if treated as a fresh start, rather than an experiment with semi-certain plans that you could return.

My previous comment about “not in Y6”, was not about the academic rigours of Y6, but more about the practicalities of securing a Y7 place in the location you’d be intending to live in Y7. As a longer term move, it sounds brilliant. Ts a lovely part of the world (I went to university nearish by and my brother lives down there).

It's a gorgeous area - I'm a Swansea lass and if I ever had the opportunity to move back. Mumbles would be top of my list.

Do it. Life is too short for "what ifs". And your kid is in year 6, not year 11. Now is the time!

When I saw the title I thought you would be mad to do it. But actually having read your further post it makes complete sense. If your children are happy to go, do it!! It will be an amazing new start with new opportunities for you all. It doesn't have to be forever if you decide you don't like it. Good luck!

I know someone who did exactly that, moved from south midlands to Mumbles for a year initially with the option to extend NHS posting indefinitely. Whole family went including kids. They stayed many years until kids left then moved around a bit before retiring there.

That was a major drip feed but I'm sorry you lost your husband.
Yes, I think it sounds like a good idea, especially if there's nothing in particular tyjng you to the Midlands, which it doesn't seem there is.

I think it will be scary moving to somewhere afresh with kids, but I think it's likely to be easier for them as they will hopefully make new friends etc quickly.

Lovely place
Do it

Sorry to hear about your dh, but the information you've given in your last post puts a completely different light on it.

Yes, Mumbles is a lovely area. From all you have said, it sounds like a great next step in your lives. Moving completely, is completely different from living somewhere for a year and then hoping to be able to slot back in to your old home / schools, etc., though, which is what you were suggesting in your OP. Hence everyone concerned about how you would get into a local secondary school.

Sorry for the drip feed. It was unintentional, other than knowing that I am quite recognisable because of our circumstances.

I think it is too scary to make an outright decision (because life is constantly exhausting and I live at capacity all the time), but giving us the opportunity to return if we wish makes it seem more manageable and less scary. It was a friend who suggested doing it for a year in the first instance. I am in the process of looking into the secondary school issue. I will only go ahead if everything falls into place.

Thank you very much for all the responses.

Do it. From what you say, I think you'll all regret it if you don't.