So fed up with my life

[onandon8]

I live in London and am just so fed up with the people, the busyness, the noise, the pollution and the cost of everything, particularly housing. It’s really getting me down.

I want to sell up and buy a cottage by the sea in Devon or Cornwall, but DH will only consider counties close to London as there are always employment opportunities here.

I know what he’s saying but I don’t want to carry on with the rat race for the rest of our lives, living in an average area with a massive mortgage to pay each month.

I also read threads on here saying London schools are the best, and wonder in which part of London these posters live? Primaries near us are good/outstanding but the secondaries are dire - I can’t consign my DC to a life of that.

I would love to send them private but we don’t have anywhere near that kind of money. All the local private schools offer bursaries, but surely they must be inundated with applicants - does anyone know how easy it is to get one?

AIBU to want to leave London behind and have a different, simpler life in a small seaside town, with a mortgage of about £400-£500 per month?

I’m sure you would look into it before relocating but I live on the South Wales coast just outside a city (great btw) and almost all the schools are over-subscribed with no places at all in many of the year groups. Some families have moved into the area expecting their children to be able to enrol in their local schools but they are full.

I’m not sure what the position is in the areas you are looking at but it’s an important factor to consider.

I know a handful of families who left London to give their children a beautiful rural childhood by the beach and are absolutely devastated by the impact it's had on their futures really? whereas all London kids are very well off...

the plain fact is if you are wealthy and can work around the disadvantages of London, Home Counties or Devon and Cornwall, you'll be fine, if you absolutely are trapped, have little money and have to go to the local catchment school whatever happens, then you might not have such a great time.

I was brought up by the seaside and it was perfect as a place for teenagers as we had a lot of independence from early on, walked everywhere, went out a lot and all drove as soon as we could get licenses. Went to uni away from home, lived in big cities, lots of fun there too.

I don't think Raynes Park and Sutton, much as I like those areas, have a Devon and Cornwall vibe!

fab that you want to work - maybe defining the job you want would be useful to help you decide where you need to live?

@didireallysaythat actually my approach will be the other way round - I’ll see what’s available in an area I want to live and adapt accordingly. Living somewhere I want to be (and where my family is also happy of course) is far more important than work!

I did ask earlier OP but where does your Devon and Cornwall knowledge come from? How often have you been and in what capacity, as a holidaymaker or visiting family or what? I ask because I'd like to know where the urge comes from.

But if op’s h gets a contract for a year in Cornwall what after it ends? The next agency might say great but we need you here Monday (London or wherever). There’s a reason creative services stay near cities it’s because you need the concentration of opportunities.

@MarshaBradyo I agree to an extent but there's a decent creative cluster in Cornwall (largest rural creative cluster in the UK) and COVID has made remote working more accessible/viable.

I'm not saying OP should move, just that it could be possible

Op you’re so deluded about Cornwall.

It isn’t heaven. It’s pretty for a weeks holiday but life here is not all Joules and Frugi living.

I witnessed drug dealing at my sons primary school today - in Cornwall. In a beautiful popular town that’s often featured in the “UK best places to live” lists.

I can’t get a wfh job here either - it’s not all zoom calls and ice cream.

In fact our friends businesses are moving OUT of Cornwall.

(Creative / digital agencies)

It isn’t heaven. It’s pretty for a weeks holiday but life here is not all Joules and Frugi living.

I witnessed drug dealing at my sons primary school today - in Cornwall. In a beautiful popular town that’s often featured in the “UK best places to live” lists.

I can’t get a wfh job here either - it’s not all zoom calls and ice cream.

Where did I say it was? I don’t like ice cream and I don’t even know what Jules or Frugi are.

Sorry to hear about your son’s school, but do you really think that stuff doesn’t happen in London? Of course it does and then some.

Living somewhere I want to be (and where my family is also happy of course) is far more important than work!

Seriously? Well in that case you must be part of the truely privileged few whom has enough money to not need to work in order to put a roof over your head and food on the table.
A lot of people I know would love to live somewhere else. But live in a location to ensure they can earn a wage to pay mortgage/ bills etc. Because that is a very real deal for the vast majority of the population.

Seriously? Well in that case you must be part of the truely privileged few whom has enough money to not need to work in order to put a roof over your head and food on the table.

You clearly didn’t read my post or understand my meaning properly.

@funkyfruitloops

Op you’re so deluded about Cornwall.

It isn’t heaven. It’s pretty for a weeks holiday but life here is not all Joules and Frugi living.

I witnessed drug dealing at my sons primary school today - in Cornwall. In a beautiful popular town that’s often featured in the “UK best places to live” lists.

I can’t get a wfh job here either - it’s not all zoom calls and ice cream.

Surely not Fowey, funky?

and those people trying to convince you that it's not nicer anywhere outside London are probably those who also secretly wish they could make the move..

Not sure about that but it’s clearly touched a nerve!!

Where can you get a house for £300k ten minutes walk to a proper beach? Inspired by this I’ve been right moving and can’t find anything

No nerve touched here, as I lived in Cornwall for years (as mentioned upthread).

I don't live in London, either, so have no dog in this fight.

I would, however, say that all places come with their problems (drugs, crime etc). Schools are also tricky in most places - either the primaries are great and the secondaries are ropey, or vice versa. It's rare to find somewhere that is affordable, has no particular problems, has good transport links, and has fantastic schools. As it happens, the place where I live would tick most of the OP's boxes. However, she would be able to buy a two-bed terrace with no outside space with her budget. So you really can't have everything.

I would still like to know, OP, what your experience of Cornwall is. Several people have asked this, but I don't think you've answered (unless I'm being dim - entirely possible).

Oh, and you would have to drive for 90 mins to get to anything resembling a beach from where I live!

@onandon8

and those people trying to convince you that it's not nicer anywhere outside London are probably those who also secretly wish they could make the move..

Not sure about that but it’s clearly touched a nerve!!

Not at all!

I do think you should be realistic about work though.

@Dishwashersaurous

Where can you get a house for £300k ten minutes walk to a proper beach? Inspired by this I’ve been right moving and can’t find anything

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/83129365. Not the most appealing of properties, but it’s 10 minutes from a great unspoiled beach and in a great area, if a somewhat busy road. It is totally possible...

I used to live in Bromley @onandon8 and I was part of the sailing club on the Isle of Dogs (just to tick the watersport box). It was great. I am fully aware of crime in London 😂 who isn’t?

Anyway, You’re clearly not wishing to divulge your knowledge of Cornwall and that’s fine - I was similarly obsessed about moving to Australia a few years ago “for a better life”.

I think I was boring everyone around me with it and my ridiculous plans. Pie in the sky hopes and dreams.

@KnightError no not Fowey Falmouth. But then anyone who lives here will just sigh and nod at that revelation because it’s so standard for the area.

@onandon8 it’s nice to have a dream and well, why not? You go for it if you think it’ll work. And good luck with all your plans x

@RhymesWithOrange

But if op’s h gets a contract for a year in Cornwall what after it ends? The next agency might say great but we need you here Monday (London or wherever). There’s a reason creative services stay near cities it’s because you need the concentration of opportunities.

@MarshaBradyo I agree to an extent but there's a decent creative cluster in Cornwall (largest rural creative cluster in the UK) and COVID has made remote working more accessible/viable.

I'm not saying OP should move, just that it could be possible

Fair enough Rhymes I can’t say I know it well so good to have insight. I do know what it’s like to do creative contracts though and it helps to have lots of possibilities so when one ends you don’t have to wait long for another.

Well how did you mean it?

We’re in a pandemic. If people on here are burying their heads in the sand about just how brutal the economic fall out from this is going to be, then they’re in huge amounts of denial.

Being in a location that maximises your potential to earn money, will become a very real thing. And it is very much a luxury to be able to think that you will adapt to the work that is available so long as you are happy where you live.

Not many companies know how long they will be able to continue in 100% remote working mode. Teams are fatigued as a result of non stop video calls. Productivity is down. Employee engagement/ company culture has all taken a huge hit. CEO’s are staying quiet but privately saying they need their staff back in in offices.

Sorry Op. I stand by my first post much earlier on.
I find your view astounding on this given you are not WOHM.

Apologies if this has been mentioned, but how about researching job opportunities in Scotland? For £300k you'd definitely get a nice place, and the coastlines are stunning. Could your hubby even do a weekly commute down to London if needed? I know a couple of people who do that

Just one more tiny tip for you @onandon8 if you decide to rent while you sell / buy / whatever - you should both try and be in work.

Two salaries (even if one is a high earner) will always get picked by a landlord over one salary (even if high earner).

The rental market is very competitive and quick. (And if it isn’t then you’ve probably chosen a shit area). Also paying 6 months upfront doesn’t help much at all.

Sheridans- that’s in Folkestone!!

Op wants to live in Devon or Cornwall- hence my question?

I’m leaving this thread now as it’s going round in circles and I’ve a lot to be getting on with. Thanks to all the posters who have made such great suggestions - I’m feeling much more positive about my future

@onandon8

I also know people who have moved to Hertfordshire and Kent and would say similar.

I wouldn’t want to live in Hertfordshire - I really want to be on the coast. Kent is ok but we’ve looked at places like Margate and Folkestone and I didn’t feel at home there. Deal is lovely but beyond our budget.

That's 2 places! There's a whole coastline. And even E Sussex is easily commutable.

I think that you also need to consider what you'll be doing. The WIs have closed in a lot of areas! 😉