Moving to other end of country... experiences please

[Thebigmove]

We are due to move to the other end of the country in a few weeks. We are moving purely for lifestyle reasons meaning we’ll have to work less / not do the 3 hour round trip commute.
We are changing jobs and moving somewhere where we have no friends or family.
I’m bricking it now it’s becoming a reality!
Has anyone done it and would be happy to share their experiences?

I've moved multiple times with our family. Do you have children?

I like moving. A new perspective...new house, new area to explore.

Where are you heading?

We did it, absolutely love it!
I think its really good for your mind and refreshing exploring new places.

I haven’t as an adult but did as a child. Where are you going from and to?

We moved continents! It's fine, but you need to get involved and join stuff to make friends but it's true that people are more friendly up north, well anywhere but London. People won't resent you as incomers if you settle in and never ever mention "I can't buy " or "it's not like that in ..."

We've moved a couple of times to places where we knew no one. Embrace where you live, and enjoy whats different and don't hark back to your old life all the time. Take the time to talk to people - that random person in the pet shop might be your connection to a whole wonderful group of people, or know just the person to fix your bathroom/walk your dog or whatever.

Thanks all. Really helpful advice.
I like to think I’m quite sociable but no children so might be harder to make friends (pets tho so will be in that pet shop!)
Moving from north London to Devon so it will be very different! (Ok but maybe not the other end of the country it just feels like it )

London to Devon from my view point in Scotland does not seem like the other end of the country. It just seems like another spot in the south of England. London to the north of Scotland then you might have something to be slightly anxious about! It will be fine.

We’ve moved continents three times and also across the UK last year.

It can be difficult to establish and feel settled. It’s taken us 6-12 months to feel settled each time.

We become “yes” people when we first move and always agree to different invites and events.

Also, put a shout out to any friends and family who might have other contacts that live there that they could put you in touch with.

Apollo I know you’re right! I guess when you’ve spent decades in a couple of square miles, it seems far far away!