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.

I think it's a great idea especially as DS seems to be firmly on board.

I went a few times many years ago - great place! I remember a little kiosk shaped like an apple - odd, the things you recall.

I agree with Mervyn. I think it’s the things you don’t do that you regret.

A little update.. We are in the area to look round the school (where both boys have surprisingly been offered a place) tomorrow and to see potential properties. Both ds have had tears at the prospect of leaving everything we know and love. It feels like an impossible decision, when it is partly for my own benefit and a decision that has to be made by me alone.

If we stay in the Midlands, I need to make some big changes to maintain my well-being, but I am nervous about how to reach out to friends to tell them how I am really feeling. They would want to help, but have been so amazing for so long and I feel I may have exhausted their goodwill. I never realised in the early days after dh died that I would need their support for such a long time.

It will be an upheaval, but you all will settle and make new friends. Try and just look at it all as though there's no pressure (there isn't, you haven't decided yet). See if the school seems nice. Have a look at local areas, do fun things that you'd be able to do regularly. Friends would be able to come and stay, and the boy's friends, it's not a million miles away..

You won't have exhausted friend's goodwill. Talk to them, they care about you..

@WontBeUsingPassMyParcelAgain - widow to widow here - you can't pour from an empty cup. Meaning you can't be an effective parent with no reserves yourself. If moving to mumbles gives you that then the decision will hugely benefit your boys. They are definitely young enough to adapt, I moved schools in year 6 - best thing that could have happened at the time. I needed the new start and new faces.

Your boys mental health and well being is dependent on yours.

Thank you both. We liked the school and found a property to rent. The jigsaw pieces all seem to have fitted together and the ds are both on board so we are going to give it a go. Moving very soon as I think best not to have the ds dwell on it for too long.

I hope you all settle in and have a wonderful life there.

I'm excited for you op. Very best wishes to you all.

In your situation I would move. I love that area so much. I think the quality of life will help make up for the upheaval. Give it time. I moved continent a few times, and it takes at least a year to really settle in, if not two. You'll get there. Best of luck.