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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want to move up North in my situation?

268 replies

Barefootsummers · 22/08/2017 14:14

We have 2 children and would love a bigger family. We currently live in the south east in our own home which is a small 2/3 bed flat with no garden. Up North we could afford a detached house with small amount of land (550k). Thinking West Yorkshire. I love the countryside and this lifestyle rather than fancy restaurants / boutiques etc. We could work in similar jobs up North. It's a no brainer for me but my DH is not convinced. His reasons against are that the housing market is always secure in the south east, schooling is better and it affords more opportunity. I guess I'm not looking for anyone to tell me what I should or shouldn't do but just need some perspective on this. Anyone? Thanks in advance!

OP posts:
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6
SadSongsAndWaltzes · 23/08/2017 09:34

I don't know actually senator. If she's in Hebden Bridge or the surrounding area there are some excellent bus services (every 10 minutes for some routes) and plenty of houses in walking distance of a direct train line between Manchester and Leeds/York (see house I linked to above!) Public transport is hit and miss in Yorkshire but it is good in a lot of places.

LoniceraJaponica · 23/08/2017 09:38

"Why is education better down south?"

One of the best 6th form colleges in the country is in Huddersfield.

Sunbeam18 · 23/08/2017 09:42

Come to Edinburgh!

NameChangedAndForgotOldName · 23/08/2017 09:50

I live here, in pendle. Not far from hebden bridge and close to the m65.
I love it here ❤️

To want to move up North in my situation?
To want to move up North in my situation?
Katkincake · 23/08/2017 09:58

Namechange - you've actually just made me remember there is somewhere else I'd live once we retire - the Ribble Valley, love the scenery there, beautiful

somewhereovertherain · 23/08/2017 10:24

Or the trough of Bowland. So many awful places to live.

ILikeMilk · 23/08/2017 10:27

*If you're white European then you'll be fine.

If youre BAME then the SE is better for you.*

Actually, I am white European and still had some hard time libing in the North. I even was refused a quote for paving our front parking because "people like me" can't possibly own houses in a such nice area (I was living in Cheshire near Manchester). They guy actually insisted that I must think we own but in fact rent the house and he will inform the owner I tried to change the parking space!

None of the parents at school wanted to socialise with me or invite my child for play dates. Now I moved back to London I can't believe how friendly people are. It's a completely different world over here!

Lucysky2017 · 23/08/2017 14:15

ILike - on what basis? Was it class?

northernruth · 23/08/2017 14:20

Generally speaking you get more for your money in areas which are less popular - there's usually a reason for that, be it job opportunities or the "niceness" of the town etc. But then, that's why the north is cheaper in general - earning opportunities are lower

NC4now · 23/08/2017 14:22

This thread is bonkers!

x2boys · 23/08/2017 14:25

Oh yes ILike I remember you had a very long thread about how dreadful Manchester was (when you actually lived in Hale or somewhere similar) and you where so much happier in London I,m not sure I entirely believe your account but anyway you stay in London the North is a very large place.

x2boys · 23/08/2017 14:27

Do you think it was perhaps your attitude that made people not want to socialise with you ILike?

5rivers7hills · 23/08/2017 14:49

I don't know what your jobs are, but if you have to travel then York is really good. 2h to London. 2.5h to Edinburgh. Easy to Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle.

WiganPierre · 23/08/2017 15:41

No one has mentioned to consider how your husband feels. If he doesn't want to move up North, why would you? You will only cause resentment in your marriage. Is that worth having a cheaper house? I find that bizarre. I'd never want to move somewhere my husband wasn't keen on. Where you live plays such a huge part of your quality of life; the weather, culture, diversity, jobs, financial stability, commute etc. all have to be considered and for those reasons I wouldn't live in the North if you paid me.

There's a reason why the North is so much cheaper. There's not the demand: not many people want to live there compared to London. In London, the world is on your doorstep. It's hard to give up that feeling.

NC4now · 23/08/2017 15:57

I know plenty of northerners who have done a stint in London then come back for a better quality of life.

dolcezza99 · 23/08/2017 16:01

Agreed. There's a reason the North is cheap: because it's crap. Supply and demand. It might be pretty in places (not many) but god, I wouldn't live there if you paid me a million pounds to do so.

LoniceraJaponica · 23/08/2017 16:02

dolcezza

Goady post Hmm

thekillers · 23/08/2017 16:04

The weather is a significant consideration. I live 50% in Yorkshire and 50% in London. The weather difference is marked.

thekillers · 23/08/2017 16:06

I wouldn't live there if you paid me a million pounds to do so.

Well to be fair you would need a million to get the house sth Op wants in some of the areas mentioned. So maybe you could lend it to her.

x2boys · 23/08/2017 16:12

Right dolcezza the whole of the North is Crap there are some very insular ideas on here Hmm

TitsalinaBumSquash · 23/08/2017 16:19

Oh wow! I've just had a quick squiz at Yorkshire on Rightmove and I'm now sat here opening and closing my mouth at how cheap it is, surely there's some catch? 4 bed houses for 100k and under?? That wouldn't buy a studio flat in a grotty block around here!!!

I need to step up my 'get DH to agree to move North' campaign.

We're not London based and a 4 bed house around these parts are 450k min.

flumpybear · 23/08/2017 16:23

I'd do it in a heart beat!! I loved in Bromley before university in Nottingham and never moved back - live in a fantastic town in Nottingham now with great
Schools and house prices are stable and really quite high but you'd get something nice for 550k easy - but if you want a massive house then countryside in yourshire is good too - friends live near wetherby which is lovely

coldcanary · 23/08/2017 16:32

Still chuckling at the 'fact' that you can only live up here if you're white european Grin
Ever heard of Rochdale? (Parts of which are bloody lovely - Norden and Bamford spring to mind.
Parts of Oldham are a bit of a shithole these days sadly and I can't like Bradford even though I've tried hard to find something nice about it.
still thinking of places to look at - Sowerby Bridge is nice but one long traffic jam at rush hour in the centre, Rippondens drawback is that you have to get to Sowerby or Littleborough (another nice place over the border - I have friends there) to get the train to Manchester or Leeds.

tryingtogetthroughlife · 23/08/2017 16:35

I moved from the south last year, tbh I haven't looked back I'm near Liverpool and Manchester.
I really like how it's not so competitive where I live and more relaxed.
If you really feel like moving go for it i wish I had moved a few years earlier.
Good luck Op hope you and Dh are able to make a decision.

thekillers · 23/08/2017 16:39

Schools and house prices are stable and really quite high but you'd get something nice for 550k easy - but if you want a massive house then countryside in yourshire is good too - friends live near wetherby which is lovely

You wouldnt get a house in wetherby with land for £550k