Has anyone relocated to the Lake District?

[Claireyfairey81]

Hi, we are a family of three (me, Dh and Ds who is 5 years old), and we want to move to somewhere in the Lakes. We spend a lot of time on holiday there, and although living there won't be a holiday, we are seriously thinking of taking that step.
Has anyone done this recently? Did you rent first, then buy when you had a job? Or buy straight away? Have you found locals friendly? Are there areas you would recommend? Any advice anyone has for me would be much appreciated. Thanks. X

I wouldn’t move without a job. Employment is variable in Cumbria. Travel is hard work so you don’t want to live at one end and work at the other too.

Depends on where you move to regarding friendliness. Some places are more used to offcomers than others and therefore more friendly. I don’t know north and west lakes well but places in the East tend to get more people moving in and out(because they’ve better travel links).

Thanks for your advice, it is much appreciated. X

My son lived in the Lake District, it can be grim in winter with frequent road blockages and closures, it takes a certain character to live in the more remote areas, I would definitely rent before buying, the reality may not meet your expectations.

What sort of work would you be looking for?

House prices in the National park are ridiculously expensive, most people live outside. You really need to research where job opportunities in your chosen careers are and go from there.

@TheDrsDocMartens

What sort of work would you be looking for?

I am an accountant and my husband is a self employed gardener. Would anyone know if either careers are in demand there? X

Gardeners usually wanted at the hotels/caravan parks etc. Plus a large elderly population means people want gardeners and there’s lots of care homes with decent grounds.

Accountant shouldn’t be too bad finding work in any of the towns.

Don’t know much about accounting though.

I would look for decent roads from any house ( some lanes / roads are just mind numbingly boring as to how long it takes to get from one town to another ) Also check flooding But lovely place. That said I have never been more than on frequent holidays as my parents have a cottage / shared there so never investigated schools etc.

Our former dog sitters lived there for 11 years before relocating to East Yorkshire. They were very outdoorsy and love the place but as the years passed, the rain really, really got them down. Rain and grey days.

I know you can dress for all weathers but that really made me think. It’s interesting that for them, it wasn’t something they got used to.

We also love the Lake District and are frequent visitors.