To reconsider living in a national park?

[LetSophieGo]

Mid 40's single.
Have opportunity to move to the Lake District (southern, windermere area) after having lived for years in a fairly depressed urban town.

Am self employed and able to afford it as a renter so no financial concerns. I am happy to continue renting as I like the freedom and simplicity of it, so that's just a personal choice. Curiously, many of the properties are much nicer and somewhat cheaper than my urban area, so it would be win-win in that regard.

However, I have been working on creative projects in this area on and off for years, I absolutely adore the place and fit in well there. Most of the time I have spent there has been in winter months, so not at the height of tourism. I have been very open to the possibility of moving there full time for a while.

But now the time has come and I can make the move, I am having a few doubts. I wonder if the tourism and constant traffic, crowds, etc might get on my nerves full time. Any summer experience I have had there has admittedly stressed mea little but thought it might ease off on me if I got used to it.
After sating in Ambleside for 1 month a few summers ago I was relieved to get out of there! Every day was a constant crush and it always felt like there were far too many people for the size and infrastructure of the place.

I absolutely LOVE this part of the world and can work so well there as an artist, I enjoy walking and the whole mountain/outdoorsy thing. I am happy other people love it too, and don't blame them for crowding in to enjoy it.

Anyone done this and regretted it? Would my life become an endless crush into Booths hoping my fave foods havent sold out for the weekend? Would I never get any privacy or get away from noise? Living alone I would prefer not to live too far out in the middle of nowhere so would have to keep relatively close to a town like windermere, Ambleside, etc.

Like I said I have more or less lived there for 4 years but only between Nov-Feb.

Would you do it or is it best to leave it for holidays?

We seriously considered it 8 years ago, we viewed several and came very close to doing it but I couldn't make peace with having to live in a crowded area, I too feel at home there, there's something that makes me feel comfortable and at ease.

We decided against it but carried on visiting regularly, usually in June, September and a couple of times over winter, it was often busy in the popular areas and I felt unreasonable resenting it as I too was a tourist so part of the problem.
The urge to move returned and so to make our minds up once and for all we decided to visit over Easter to see how we felt being there at peak times.
I knew before even arriving at the property that it wouldn't be for me, the roads were atrocious, nose to tail on the main roads and then in the lanes to the cottage we stay at you could barely squeeze between cars parked both sides of the road for mile after mile.
The shelves in Booths were running low, the aisles were packed, we struggled to park anywhere for the whole week and even though the sun shone daily and the scenery was stunning to look at we returned home more stressed than when we left.

You're in a great position to give it a go and see how you get on, maybe book a couple of weeks somewhere in July or August to get a feel of what it's like when it's packed.

I was going to suggest north or west Cumbria, basically anywhere along the A66 because you have easy access to the Lake District and to the M6 for travelling outside the county.

I have lived in West Cumbria all my life, 10 minutes from the National Park boundary and I love it! I've worked "away" but nothing could ever tempt me to fully relocate.

I personally wouldn't go South Cumbria such as Ulverston or Barrow...... Ulverston had very little there and Barrow is depressing.

I live near Ambleside. Yes, it's busy at certain times of the year but as a local you get to know that back roads and shortcuts to avoid traffic and there are facilities that we wouldn't have without tourism to support them. Having said that, most locals have enjoyed the peace and quiet during lockdowns.

If you want to live in south Cumbria, As others have said, there are lots of accessible places to live which are less touristy but still attractive. - Cartmel peninsula, Brigsteer, Underbarrow, Crosthwaite, Backbarrow - anywhere along the A590 and up into Rusland. Or else head towards Kirkby Lonsdale.

As I'm sure you know, decent, affordable residential lets are hard to find so you might just need to go wherever you can find suitable accommodation.

I've lived here for 20 years and don't regret moving to Cumbria but if I had my time again might have moved to a less touristy bit where housing was cheaper. We ended up where we did due to a job opportunity and family connections.

thanks so much, avoiding the A591 is the thing!

Will definitely look into Ulverston, many thanks x

@Gertie75

We seriously considered it 8 years ago, we viewed several and came very close to doing it but I couldn't make peace with having to live in a crowded area, I too feel at home there, there's something that makes me feel comfortable and at ease.

We decided against it but carried on visiting regularly, usually in June, September and a couple of times over winter, it was often busy in the popular areas and I felt unreasonable resenting it as I too was a tourist so part of the problem.
The urge to move returned and so to make our minds up once and for all we decided to visit over Easter to see how we felt being there at peak times.
I knew before even arriving at the property that it wouldn't be for me, the roads were atrocious, nose to tail on the main roads and then in the lanes to the cottage we stay at you could barely squeeze between cars parked both sides of the road for mile after mile.
The shelves in Booths were running low, the aisles were packed, we struggled to park anywhere for the whole week and even though the sun shone daily and the scenery was stunning to look at we returned home more stressed than when we left.

You're in a great position to give it a go and see how you get on, maybe book a couple of weeks somewhere in July or August to get a feel of what it's like when it's packed.

thanks for this it is similar to how I feel. I too did a few months here and there and certainly did my research in the hot spots. I practically lived there for 6 months at one point. I have done months in windermere, bowness and Ambleside, and a few months in kendal. Overall I found kendal to be the most easy to negotiate in Sumer months.

I really need to give this some more thought and research.

I see a popular fell walking blogger went to live there easily recently, which has no relation to me, but I wonder what separates those of us who can tolerate the tourism against those who can't.

I am not even certain I fit in either category. We shall see.
x

@lakeswimmer

I live near Ambleside. Yes, it's busy at certain times of the year but as a local you get to know that back roads and shortcuts to avoid traffic and there are facilities that we wouldn't have without tourism to support them. Having said that, most locals have enjoyed the peace and quiet during lockdowns.

If you want to live in south Cumbria, As others have said, there are lots of accessible places to live which are less touristy but still attractive. - Cartmel peninsula, Brigsteer, Underbarrow, Crosthwaite, Backbarrow - anywhere along the A590 and up into Rusland. Or else head towards Kirkby Lonsdale.

As I'm sure you know, decent, affordable residential lets are hard to find so you might just need to go wherever you can find suitable accommodation.

I've lived here for 20 years and don't regret moving to Cumbria but if I had my time again might have moved to a less touristy bit where housing was cheaper. We ended up where we did due to a job opportunity and family connections.

much appreciated, thank you!

Have you thought about the Peak District? I've got a couple of friends who live there & it is good in that they are only a 30 minute drive from Sheffield & 45 minutes from Manchester, 20 minutes to Chesterfield railway station for trains to most locations, one lives in Stoney Middleton & the other in Baslow, far enough to be rural but not that far for work, shopping , hospitals etc. Lots of lovely walks, places to visit but not overloaded with tourists, lots of history, Chatsworth, Longshaw, Eyam, many different activities like rock climbing, fell running, gliding if you like that kind of thing, good schools.

I live in a beautiful coastal town which is a tourist hotspot in nice weather. On the plus side, there is so much to do - far more eating and shopping options than the permanent population would normally support.

The key is to live within walking distance of the amenities are important to you for daily life, Yes it's busy but at least I'm not physically prevented from doing what I need to because the traffic is horrendous and there's no parking anywhere. I can walk to the shops, doctor, beach for example.

On the other hand, you need to be just far away from the centre of the action that you can actually park in front of your own house and/or not have people blocking your driveway. I'll say 10 minute walk is the sweet spot.

We are the visitors that go the lakes often. We never visit Windermere or surrounding lakeside villages as they are rammed with coaches and this tends to be part of the London day trip scene. Elsewhere tends to be quieter and there are lots of smaller quieter villages commutable to the main towns

to be part of the London day trip scene

To the Lakes? Really? Can't believe that's possible, you'd be driving for 12 hours surely?

I was in Cumbria for a week in August a couple of years ago. I was surprised at how easy it was to find places to wander around where there were very few people about. I was staying near Windermere so much of my time was spent around that area.
I also live in a very touristy area although not the Lakes. But very close to a National Park, also seaside towns. It does get busy in the summer and if you want to go anywhere where you will need to park your car, you have to go very early. But honestly you get used to it, and there are also places to go which are always quiet even in high season, if you want to get away from the crowds.

@21Flora

I have friends that live in Grange and it is nice, but also known as ‘Heaven’s waiting room’ for a reason

In the sense that nothing ever happens?? Or everyone is over 80?

Oh I know @LetSophieGo The day trippers and the “we’re going for a drive” tourists are awful. I live in a perfect little city south of Windermere but in sight of the southern fella. It’s a perfect compromise and, as you say, in the off-season it’s just gorgeous.

Oh it’s great! It’s a real town and a community and not particularly touristy - most of west Cumbria is not very touristy. But I’d draw the line at Barrow. It’s the Morecambe of the west Lakes. But Ulverston is great.

What about further north -Keswick? It’s rammed in the summer but there are more proper walkers in amongst the tourists. And the Booths is fantastic.

Also over the border, but Carnforth?

Or any of those villages between lancaster and Kendal?

I like Morecambe for an afternoon out and a rummage around the charity and antique shops (and ice cream at Bruccianos) but I couldn’t live there.

@Todayisanabsolutevanilladay

to be part of the London day trip scene

To the Lakes? Really? Can't believe that's possible, you'd be driving for 12 hours surely?

It's totally possible. 2.5 hours on the train to Euston !

Re Ulverston, as PP have said, there are festivals, nice shops, pubs and restuarants, a Booths, a train station, great views from Hoad Honument (we used to call it the pepperpot when I was a child) and it's close enough to the lakes and hills for when you want some really fresh air.

Hello there I live in the Eden Valley. This area is beautiful and has some lovely villages a lot have pubs and village shops or cafes. We avoid Windermere, Keswick etc during summer months and any school/bank holiday times as it so busy - we get so many tourists. Appleby is a nice town. Penrith has a high street pretty much like most other places but is a good base for the lakes hence its name ‘gateway to the lakes’. You can still have access to beautiful scenery around this area. There are various different rental properties in the area and you’ll maybe find it slightly cheaper than Windermere etc. Just an alternative option for you to think about.

If you are renting not buying then you could give it a go, you have a pretty easy reversal route if you don't like it!

Not quite the same but I moved from a council estate in a big city to the coast about 3 years ago. My husband is self employed and we are renters too so there was nothing to stop us moving. I can honestly say it was the best thing we ever did and I have never looked back.

Why don’t you try a long stay and have a good look around . Write a list of pros and cons and really see if it’s for you. It’s kinda like Christmas isn’t it you look forward to it for ages then the time arrives ! Do you get exactly what you wish for 🤔🤭

Ulverston is a cool little place. Barrow has the big supermarkets etc and some interesting things like the seal sanctuary but it is dominated by a shipyard. I live in S Lakes and I will only go to Windermere in winter. There's very quiet places if you stay away from Windermere/Ambleside even in the height of summer. Kirkby Lonsdale is very nice. We call Grange 'god's waiting room' because it's very sleepy/aged population. Coming to S Lakes as a visitor is quite different to living here; I don't see tourists on my morning commute because I'm too early for them. Can be annoying on A590 at times but enjoying the fact that I live in this part of the world makes up for it, especially since I grew up in quite a gritty, rundown place in the NW myself.

I would do it and find ways of avoiding high tourist season.
Order in, go to less touristy places at unpopular times.
Stay local and off the roads.
You can always move if you aren't happy, and it's not like you're going in with your eyes closed.
You are just having second thoughts, newt wrong with that, lass.

Have you thought about somewhere like Stavely? Kind of inbetween Windermere and Kendal - roughly 10 mins to both. Means you can easily get into Windermere but not be crushed by how busy it is in summer months

@mumof2exhausted

Have you thought about somewhere like Stavely? Kind of inbetween Windermere and Kendal - roughly 10 mins to both. Means you can easily get into Windermere but not be crushed by how busy it is in summer months

I would absolutely love to go to Staveley, very few rentals there though. Will definitely keep an eye on it!

Oh God ... the A590.
I have to drive it two days a week and it can be appalling.