Hello,
I really need some help on this dilemma. Should we move from a nice safe outer London suburb to Nottingham, specifically to Lady Bay/West Bridgford, which is a lovely area?
Pros for moving to West Bridgford area:
- Slightly more affordable housing
- Can’t afford the home we want in outer London.
- Really lovely area, cafes, amenities, near river, country parks, parks, etc, in W.B
- We have some friends there
- We have explored other areas further out of London but not any more affordable than where we are now.
- My other half will commute from Nottingham to London three times a week (100 mins each way). His season ticket is massively discounted and he has been told he can start his working day on the train. Hopefully there will be seats as it is so far out, unlike if he was commuting from Kent for example.
- In laws are in Nottingham and can potentially babysit our children (7 and 4), who are very full on, we get no help at all the moment.
- Great schools.
- Our house is under offer (happened really quickly).
- Most of my close friends have moved away now and I don’t have a great support network in my immediate area.
- My line of work doesn’t pay well, so don’t see our financial situation improving massively.
- Lower mortgage, wouldn’t be pushing ourselves to the limit.
Cons:
- What if we regret the move? Difficult to return and will have unsettled the children.
- Nothing on the market in Nottingham that meets our criteria now, so we may have to sell and rent there first.
- Our current area is nice, safe, affluent, with good amenities, and people are generally nice, though I haven’t made any close friends here.
- Good schools guaranteed here.
- Don’t want uproot my children, especially elder one in year 3.
- Might struggle getting both kids into oversubscribed primary schools in West Bridgford, especially youngest who has just started reception.
- Long commute - though other half is happy to do it.
- Less employment opportunities in currently unsettled financial climate. Partner’s job is as secure as any can be. But my mum thinks he’ll make himself vulnerable if commuting from Nottingham.
- Would mean me leaving a nice part time job at a school.
- Could potentially improve/expand the house we’re in, but I have never really liked it that much or had impetus to improve it. Other people say it’s nice!
- Would mean being further away from my mum and her partner (45 mins drive away) and my sibling, but I don’t see much of them.
Thoughts anyone? I really need help with this decision. Please vote – am I being unreasonable to move away?
Thank you very, very much for taking the time to read and vote! x