Moving to new area, starting again

[honeyandbutterontoast]

Have you? Would you?

In the process of selling and downsizing and it’s dawned on me in the last couple of weeks that I have nothing to stay in area for. My proper job was pretty much ruined by Covid, so needs starting up again. My current one I could do anywhere. I rarely see friends anymore (did anyone else find lots of their friends went a bit odd during the pandemic?), so only really have one friend I see regularly who I would miss.

If I stay in this area I wouldn’t be able to afford very much at all, property is crazily expensive. And while I am grateful to have a home it seems silly to stay somewhere so costly when I don’t need to be here.

I’m struggling to come up with any negatives at all tbh. I’m mid 40’s and always wanted to move to a new area with a new partner and have a lovely life. 6 years since divorce and no new anything!!

So who else has moved somewhere new, reinvented themselves maybe?
What downsides am I missing?

We moved back to the UK after 14 years abroad. We were very lucky to be able to rent a house from a family member.
9 years on and we don’t have many friends. Our DD was 12 so too old for mum to drop her off at school and meet other parents.
We both work out do the house, although DH now works from home. I have nothing in common with my colleagues. Dd has gone to university so we only see her every couple of months.

I think if you move, get a job where you will meet people and then join some clubs - gym, local council, craft club, sports club or volunteering etc then you will meet new people.

A relative and a friend both recently moved. It has been challenging to make friend for them. What has helped: volunteering, reaching out on local Facebook groups for people to meet, something sporty, joining local social clubs - like ladies circle.

I really hadn’t put making new friends high on my list. As I said I have one good friend I would miss, but other than that I rarely spend time with friends. I prefer my own company these days, strangely. I think being on my own mostly during the lockdowns meant I learnt to cope alone.

But have noted all ideas for making friends because I should really make the effort rather than just talking to the dog 😂

Hello @honeyandbutterontoast

I noticed in a previous thread you were thinking of moving to Ely, did you end up there? The reason why I am asking is that I live near by after living overseas and my husband and I are considering moving to Ely as my husband's job will now remain in Cambridge (we are only 20 mins away where we are now but want to move to a town location). I am also in my forties, so if ever you fancy chatting or a coffee, do let me know.