Do you still live in your home city?

[sallysthoughtstoday]

We’re likely going to move in the next 12 months (myself, DH and 2 DDs before second DD starts primary). We’re wondering whether to move back to DH’s home city (Brighton/Hove) or to move to a village about half an hour outside of B & H. I’m swaying towards the city (well, it would be outskirts). Interested to hear whether those that grew up in a city, still live there / still have childhood friends there. My thoughts are (possibly wrongly!) that people who grow up in cities are less likely to leave them and therefore still see their childhood friends regularly as there is less reason to leave, as plenty going on / more opportunities for both work and socially. I imagine those who grow up in towns or small villages are more likely to leave as they are perhaps more bored / have less opportunities. Therefore, as a consequence, their childhood friends are more spread out as more people do leave. Has anyone got any experience on this? Especially those with say, 24 year old + children? Thoughts / experience welcomed!

I grew up in a small village, as far as I know none of my school friends live there now (we will all be 38/39). I couldn't afford to live there now anyway as its a prime commuter village for a large city and house prices are through the roof. In comparison my husband who is 43 still lives in the same city he was born in as do most of his school friends.

Thanks @Hellocatshome. It’s actually the same for me, I grew up in village and went to school / 6th form in nearest town. There are a couple of my friends still there but majority have moved away. Likewise, majority of my DH’s childhood friends are still in Brighton / Hove.

I live in the same city where I was born and grew up. I moved to another city for university then got a job here and moved back when I graduated. About half of my group of school friends still live up here too, the ones who don’t are those who moved to work in London.

Thanks @RobinPenguins

I’ve never lived in anywhere built up. I live 2 villages along from the village where I grew up.

Yes (as do lots of childhood friends), but it's London so I don't think it counts!

Grew up in London. Moved back for a few months after university. But have no desire to live there again, or the SE in general.

I don't think there's a pattern. I grew up in a village on the outskirts of a large northern city and I don't think any of my childhood friends still live in the area (although I know there are school acquaintances who do, so if my friendship circle had been different then my answer would be).

Born and raised in London. Most of my school friends still live here.

Yes I still do. Which is also dhs city too.
All of our parents do too, siblings. Only prob 6 family members moved away and were a very large family. ( dm was one of 11)

Thanks all

Well I was born & raised in London as was DH although we meet at uni. We are both have the same friends from secondary school & those bonds have become tighter as many friends we made along the way have left London. All my school friends & all DHs friends are also married to Londoners so that group has stayed consistent.

I also don't think my youth was that different to those in other cities/big towns as we still stayed in the same locality most of the time until we got older.

I don't but we do live in the same city my husband grew up but he doesn't really see any one from school. Several of my friends still live in my home town but the house prices have gone ridiculous because it is in commuting distance of London which puts me off moving back also I would have to working in London to do my job.
Someone I went to primary school with bought the house next to her mum but she does childcare and washing for her I think that is going to far.

I grew up in London but moved to Scotland as it was as far away as I could get, to go to medical school! Never had any wish to return. DH grew up in Yorkshire and moved to Scotland for university. He stayed with me in Scotland until his death.
Most of my schoolmates also moved out of London, mainly to the home counties, but a few went to live further afield - Wales, Switzerland, Australia.

I grew up in a large city and then moved to another in my 40s as a mature student. Ive lived here ever since save for a year working in the USA.

Another Londoner who's still here. I have occasionally thought if moving but I worry that if I leave and regret it I won't b e able to get b back in!

I'm in my 50s so many I grew up with bought when if was still affordable or got council housing at a time when it was easier, though a fair few have left either when their kids were young or to take early retirement

I left the city I grew up in after leaving school, but returned to live there 20 years later. There were only one or two of my old friends still living there.

I think a lot of it may depend on whether your friends mainly went to university or not - most of mine did, to other cities, and then ended up staying where they studied or moving on elsewhere. People who leave school and go straight into jobs seem to be more likely to stay close to where they grew up, in my experience.

We're back in my home city of Brighton atm - I did the typical thing of moving away for uni, spending my 20s in London and then we moved back when DS1 was two.

My brother and I have both come back "home", and we both have plenty of childhood/school friends here (though some have moved away for cheaper house prices), I think it's good support system wise as an adult as you are more likely to have lots of acquintances to go for a coffee with or whose recommendations you can ask for schools/a builder etc.

My friends who grew up in villages have both moved lots as adults - they are very independent though which is also a good thing.

Thanks all, definitely helped make things clearer in my mind.

Yup, I still live in the city I grew up (dh moved to the city from one of the surrounding towns) most of my friends however live in the towns and villages around as prices are more reasonable, dh and I are selling next year and contemplating it as ds will be starting school in 2023, so we need to start thinking education.

I grew up on the outskirts of a fairly deprived town. Most of my school friends still live there or at least a 15/20 min drive from there.

I’m early 30s and most went away for uni and work but have returned over the past couple of years to have family support for children.

I’m about 250 miles away (after 8 years living abroad) and would only move back if something happened to DH. I feel quite stifled when I’m back there in all honesty.

No. I don't even live in the same country, we don't have any plans to ever return to living there.

Thanks all. Yes, @MaverickDanger we’re currently living very close to my old town and I’m finding it pretty stifling too.