to ask if you've ever regretted moving out of London?

[thisusernameismine]

We are thinking of moving out of London (I've been there 17 years now). In very early 40s with one child (likely our only). Would go within a few miles of my mum. We would like a bigger place/garden for half the price as well.

Anyone ever made this kind of move and regretted it?

I moved out 8 years ago and had the occasional twinge. It was a leap of faith but I do believe risk taking often pays off. There are still things I miss but overall (I live in semi rural Home Counties) it’s been better for my well being. Nothing is perfect but by taking a risk you can experience great things. Being amongst nature has been particularly good during this lockdown.

There’s things I miss because we were happy in London but it was the best thing we ever did. I wouldn’t move back to London if you paid me now (I never thought I’d say that!)

No.it was the best best best decision.

We traded a 2 bed flat for a large detached 4 bed house near a fast train (30mins to london), a lovely school and lots of beautiful countryside. The kids love it and we love it too

I moved just outside of London 10 years ago, I’m still close but it’s completely different to London life here and a lot cheaper. Now and again I wish I stayed put because my family and friends are there and I’ve never felt truly at home here, but the schools and area are much nicer where I am now so for that reason I’m glad I moved away. If I could go back I would have stayed though, just purely because home is home.

I've moved from London to the north (similar situation, early 40s with one DC 2.5 likely our only due to multiple miscarriage). So far no regrets, although only been about six months and during covid times. Close to family now, so no regrets there it's been great for our DC to have DGM around even during lockdown as we could wave through windows etc. The schools are better here than where we were, private school is even an option. Have also been impressed by local service provision, NHS and local council in my interactions so far. The same was awful in my London borough. Might be different when I need to find another job, as I think there will be less opportunities than London but I'm sure something will come up. We live on the edge of a small city, still need to drive most places but we have most facilities nearby. I'm not sure I could have done rural.

I have regretted it yes esp about people's attitudes to certain things. More recently however I just find London weird and scary.

I left London for the West Country 25 years ago. I never regretted it for a moment and have very little affection for the "London of today"!

Two things I missed at first were (a) good gyms and (b) evening classes, but the former have improved greatly where I am over the past ten years.

No!!

Moved out to Surrey (towards Gatwick/ Redhill way). Lovely country walks, much bigger gaff, still only 25 mins to London Bridge or Victoria (albeit expensive). That’s actually quicker than when I was living in zone 3 (West Norwood.) I prefer having space and country walks nearby, especially with the whole Covid 19 thing. Longtime locals and blow ins who work in creative London jobs have very different views on things (Tory vs Labour, Brexit vs pro EU etc) but everyone is polite and seem to respect each other’s views, even on the local FB pages, haha!

Honestly, sometimes yes. We do have a bigger house and garden which is great for the kids. We picked a place with excellent and fast links to London which has helped the transition enormously but there are lots of things I miss.

I lived in London for 20 years, I moved out in my early thirties, sold my house, bought a bigger one outside of London. I don't miss London at all, countryside suits my personality and dh loves the countryside too and easy access water sports.

I left London for a village in the East Midlands 20 odd years ago. Never regretted it for a nanosecond. Returned to London last year for a day trip and hated every moment. Couldn't wait to get back to clean air and green space. Your money will go so much further out of the capital. Win win

I left London 18 years ago, it was right for me.

Not at all, we have a lovely house, the DC go to a good school and we are right near family.

I do miss London, but some of what I miss is the lifestyle we had prior to having children. So we wouldn’t have that now anyway.

It does make visiting easy though, because you already know it. I never feel like a tourist which is nice.

Yes, and it’s been wonderful

But that’s only because I did a good 12-15 years in London and absolutely made the most of it. I was glad to get more space and cleaner air.

Not so glad at what is basically small village mentality as some of the attitudes on local fb groups are rather right wing and racist (“all lives matter!”) but on the whole, has been great

Moved out 3 months ago and honestly wish we'd done it sooner. We absolutely loved London and thoroughly enjoyed living there, but town/ country life suits us so much better and has been a blessing in lockdown. No regrets other than it being more of a pain to commute/ socialise with certain friends.

Overall, don’t regret it - think London would’ve been good too, in different ways. but was right about the ‘cons’ of two parents commuting to central London for work. It’s exhausting and has high (non financial) costs.

A fair few of the mothers (and just one father) I know got so sick of it they gave up paid work or took MUCH lower paid, local work.

I still commute because financial independence is a high priority for me.

That notion that only "creatives" can be left /vote no to Brexit is something i dont miss about london. I used to work in the city and heard a lot of comments made to try and pigeon hole everybody in to a box. Mostly from people who worked in advertising, or for charities. People were all just people doing their job, eking out their salary. Id forgotten about that. Being put down for not being a creative. 🙄

Yes, hugely but I’m BAME and have experienced racism unlike anything I’d ever experienced in London the moment we moved here. We are taking steps to move back. We are in Tory heartland in Surrey, for reference.

We left 16 years ago. Loved my life in London. Love love love my life more outside. Haven’t regretted it for a moment.

God no, absolutely no regrets. Now every weekend feels like a weekend away. It’s so peaceful and relaxing where we live, surrounded by nature. It’s always been my dream to live rurally and I wish I had done it sooner, I can’t believe how much happier and content I feel now.

I still work in the City (when not in lockdown) and I feel lucky that I get the best of both worlds, but I wouldn’t ever consider living in London again.

Also I used to hate the rain when I lived in London, I found it bleak and dismal, but even rainy cloudy days have their appeal when you are surrounded by beautiful countryside.

No. I have lived in a few places since leaving London but haven't felt homesick for a while. It's a wonderful city but other places have their charms.

Colour if your skin and mindset is a big factor. If you are non white then think carefully as that was the biggest regret I had outside london. Moved back and it was wonderful to feel accepted and not stared at again. Cheesy to say but moving effortlessly is definitely white privileged.

Also the lack of culture - missed all that in the burbs. Great to have it on doorstep