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Thinking of moving house after lockdown. Need some advice/opinions

9 replies

Beebityboo · 23/04/2020 11:23

With everything going on I've been doing a lot of thinking and deciding on what I want to do in the future but I need some advice on when I can or even if I should go about it.

A year ago we moved house to a village where I thought our family would be really happy and where DD could get a fresh start from being bullied in primary. Things went downhill almost from the first day we moved and I've suffered with worsening mental health and none of us are particularly happy here.

I am so lonely. Lots of people here all went to school together or are related in some way, I've tried so hard to make friends but I'm mostly ignored by neighbours or, in one case, treated with open hostility for no reason. It's just a really unfriendly place to live, despite supposedly being quite "naice" compared to the wider area and having lots of countryside nearby. Lockdown has made people crazy here. People are getting followed with drones, regular pubic shamings on the facebook .We're one lockdown extension away from a wicker man being assembled on the common Hmm.

The house we rent began to fall apart almost as soon as we move in. The windows don't all open, the gas fireplace doesn't work and we've been continually fobbed off by the landlord for over a year now and it doesn't show any sign of getting better. Being in lock down in a tiny three bed semi with three children and a ropey garden is really tough (although I know we are really lucky to have outside space at all, I know lots of people are in a much worse position!).

I want to move to another town twenty minutes away that I've loved for years but we don't have a car so DD2 (reception) and DS (year 4) would need to change schools again. DD can continue to get to her secondary on public transport. I also have no idea how school admissions would work after everything that is going on and if it would even be possible to get them a school place.

I'm worried about making the DC's move school again as this last year has already been tough on them. I also don't know when it would be "safe" to do so. If lock down is lifted would it still be irresponsible to do a house move with all that is going on?

I guess I'm just looking for opinions. I am feeling increasingly mentally unwell and desperate and feel like I need something to look forward to, some way to escape all of the negative experiences and bad feeling this place has caused but also don't want to cause more disruption to my DC's in a time when maybe the more sensible thing to do would be just to hunker down for the next year or so.

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FortunesFave · 23/04/2020 12:47

I really feel for you but regarding moving schools...at this age, they will barely remember it.

My oldest DD moved primary schools aged 7 and then we emigrated when she was 11 so when all her mates were off to secondary, she had to start at another primary in Oz...she's 15 now and thriving.

My younger DD was 7 when we emigrated and she was also fine.

They will be FINE. Start looking now.

Beebityboo · 23/04/2020 13:17

I'm just not sure what the process would be when we move when it comes to schools due to the lockdown. We're thinking the earliest we could move would be at the start of July.

I just desperately want to leave here asap but don't want to cause further upset/disruption to the DC's. Feel really torn.

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DianaT1969 · 23/04/2020 13:25

I think you'll be able to move end of May if you find somewhere. People are allowed to work if they can't do it from home, so that would include removal companies. Contact estate agents and private landlords now. Once you have a contract you can apply to schools. Worst case scenario you'll be home schooling them for a term but that's very unlikely.
You MH is bound to pick up once you find somewhere else.

Beebityboo · 23/04/2020 13:55

Thanks, this has given me hope. I guess my worry is I'm being irresponsible moving when everything is so turbulent, but I'm not sure when the "safe" time to move would be anyway.

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VanillaSpiceCandle · 23/04/2020 16:35

I don’t know about ages of moving but I think if you’re all unhappy in one way or another in the village then moving could be really positive. If the children have friends then hopefully they can stay in contact wherever you love to as everyone is getting better at staying in touch digitally because of the situation. If you don’t have to stay in a house which isn’t being maintained properly by the landlord then I would move.

BasilDiffuser · 23/04/2020 17:16

Lockdown is for 17 more months. I wouldn’t worry about this just yet.

crankysaurus · 23/04/2020 17:22

I'd suggest you email the school admissions at the council and all what the process is for moving school. It might be straightforward after you have an address, depending on whether places are available straight away.

Bloodybridget · 23/04/2020 17:27

@BasilDiffuser 17 more months? Where did you get that from?

Beebityboo · 23/04/2020 17:35

17 months?

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