to worry about moving out of London?

[strawberry34]

I live in suburban London, and dh and I have been looking at houses in the country. Initially I loved the idea, an idyllic house with more space, nice garden etc. but now I've thought it through, I've realised I'm terrified! I love our (too small and unextendable) house in a busy area, close to shops and restaurants, friends nearby, no need to drive anywhere, wonderful childminder etc.

The purpose of moving was because we want to have more children, more space and our house is miniscule whilst we can't afford bigger in London. We haven't made am offer on anywhere yet and tbh we're looking in popular commuter belt so hardly middle of no where, I just think I may be bored and lonely out of London, Aibu?

[SamHamwidge]

Can't understand why so many people are so attached to London. Overcrowded, air of threat, stressful, people always on edge, some parts downright ugly ... would never want to live there again. If we go for a day trip I'm always quite glad to leave and feel I can breathe again.

[valiumredhead]

Me too Sam. Mind you we are only 30 mins on the train away so if we want to visit we can. I miss public transport, that's about it.

[Victoria3012]

Valium, I regretted moving out of London and moved back 7 years later, it's the best thing I have done for me and my children.

[valiumredhead]

Victoria, indelicate question but do you earn well? Do you have a house with a garden, live in an ok area? If yes then I can kind of understand but Dh earns pretty well but we got nothing for our money in London. Our quality of life is so much better now.

[BoysRule]

We regretted moving out of London but we had no DC at the time. I wouldn't want to move back unless I was a multi-millionaire - in which case I would get a huge pad in Primrose Hill.

When we first left we moved to a small village - and hated it! I loved it at first but soon realised that no-one goes out - the local pubs were deserted and no-one was particularly friendly. We moved to a larger town and loved it. Lots of cafes and restaurants to walk to, lots of like-minded folk (ex-Londoners) and we were able to buy a house for the first time. Made loads of friends (mainly through DCs).

I would say don't be frightened of it but choose the place carefully. Really consider if you are village/rural folk. We have decided we are not - I hated not being able to walk to a busy high street. Decent sized towns can be great - lots of shops, easy to meet people, decent night life and sense of things going on. Do your research and visit in different seasons and times of the day.

I have friends who are too scared to move out of London and therefore are squeezing their families in tiny flats. However, you do have to realise that the things you have, you would have in other towns. London boroughs are like little towns and when we moved it really felt no different to being in our old borough.