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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To reconsider living in a national park?

165 replies

LetSophieGo · 02/05/2021 15:20

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?

OP posts:

Original poster

LetSophieGo · 03/05/2021 20:49

@roxanne119

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 🤔🤭

Thanks! I have been staying there for the past 3-4 years on and off, usually in holiday lets (a few of us working on projects chipped in, winter is cheaper!) and took a 6 month rental in 2019. So I have been there quite. a lot, even during summer, but I did notice that the tourist season made me quite stressed.

Like a few other posters, I kind of think the downsides are still worth it, and can be worked around, but I definitely have last minute nerves!

OP posts:

Original poster

LetSophieGo · 03/05/2021 20:50

Thanks so much again, everyone. Your comments and experiences are really helpful to me. MN is always great for pooling some info so I appreciate that very much:)

I was quite tempted by kendal to be honest before this thread! I have been there quite a bit but never stayed over. Not a sure as I was now. Will have to mull it over.

OP posts:

Imissmoominmama · 03/05/2021 21:13

I would suggest Arnside or Silverdale instead!

lovelyupnorth · 03/05/2021 21:17

@Disfordarkchocolate

Arnside?

Don't tell people if the mystery places on the edges. We need to keep them secret

Live and work on the edge of the lakes. Travel in to the busy areas all year personally love the quietness of living close with easy access and able to avoid the crowds. Also love on the edge of an AONB and office technically in the Yorkshire Dales but only just best of all the worlds.

lovelyupnorth · 03/05/2021 21:19

@21Flora

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

It's mistakenly known as that plenty of life and young people in Grange.

sunflowersandbuttercups · 03/05/2021 21:19

@MrsHamlet

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

This! If you need to commute anywhere, you really need to consider the disaster that is the A590.

There are bad accidents on it at least 3 times a week.

lovelyupnorth · 03/05/2021 21:20

Several places locally Arnside and Kirkby Lonsdale and Cartmel are regularly in the best places to live.

RandomMess · 03/05/2021 21:28

I was going to suggest looking at Kirby Lonsdale, Milnthorpe, Burton in Kendal?

Worth looking at see what you think.

Calmdown14 · 03/05/2021 21:28

Over the border into Galloway is lovely. Kirkcudbright describes itself as the artist's town.
I love the Lakes too. The advantage is most people crowd to the same places and the places already suggested on the western side would help you avoid the worst of it

21Flora · 03/05/2021 21:47

@lovelyupnorth Grange is a nice enough town, the butchers and greengrocers in particular are lovely, but over 50% of the population is 65+!

TheCumbrian · 03/05/2021 21:51

I've lived and worked in almost of Cumbria and North Lancashire. I was born and grew up in the area you are most interested in but I'm unfamiliar with the west coast.

The 'non touristy' and arty' areas are definitely Kendal, Ulverston, Staveley, Cartmel, Arnside, Sedbergh and Kirkby Lonsdale. Lots of festivals and arty events.

If you want to be somewhere with access to some sort of local shops and a bit of an alternative vibe those are the places to stick to really.

I don't find the tourists too bad, but I also pretty much stay away from the area between Windermere and Keswick between Easter and September. It's just as beautiful in autumn and winter and far less busy.

Kendal, Penrith, Milnthorpe and Carnforth Booths all offer the same stuff as Windermere but with less than half the people in your way.

If you want to rent in Staveley it's helpful to get to know the locals as a lot of stuff is available on a who you know basis,. But they are mostly a friendly bunch .

There are some really lovely villages in the Eden Valley which are a stones throw from the official lakes but much quieter and less touristy. Ditto In the Lyth Valley and the a Lune Valley but because they are less touristy you have to travel further for a pint of milk etc.

lovelyupnorth · 03/05/2021 21:58

[quote 21Flora]@lovelyupnorth Grange is a nice enough town, the butchers and greengrocers in particular are lovely, but over 50% of the population is 65+![/quote]
Utter rubbish and I lived there for 20 years and I'm still not yet 50.

There is a large older population. But there's plenty of families and younger people as well. Loads of professionals - BAE, Sellafield, Doctors etc.

lovelyupnorth · 03/05/2021 22:00

@TheCumbrian

I've lived and worked in almost of Cumbria and North Lancashire. I was born and grew up in the area you are most interested in but I'm unfamiliar with the west coast.

The 'non touristy' and arty' areas are definitely Kendal, Ulverston, Staveley, Cartmel, Arnside, Sedbergh and Kirkby Lonsdale. Lots of festivals and arty events.

If you want to be somewhere with access to some sort of local shops and a bit of an alternative vibe those are the places to stick to really.

Kendal, Penrith, Milnthorpe and Carnforth Booths all offer the same stuff as Windermere but with less than half the people in your way.

If you want to rent in Staveley it's helpful to get to know the locals as a lot of stuff is available on a who you know basis,. But they are mostly a friendly bunch .

Cracking milk men in the Lune Valley they deliver it to your door and everything.

Original poster

LetSophieGo · 03/05/2021 22:05

@TheCumbrian

I've lived and worked in almost of Cumbria and North Lancashire. I was born and grew up in the area you are most interested in but I'm unfamiliar with the west coast.

The 'non touristy' and arty' areas are definitely Kendal, Ulverston, Staveley, Cartmel, Arnside, Sedbergh and Kirkby Lonsdale. Lots of festivals and arty events.

If you want to be somewhere with access to some sort of local shops and a bit of an alternative vibe those are the places to stick to really.

Kendal, Penrith, Milnthorpe and Carnforth Booths all offer the same stuff as Windermere but with less than half the people in your way.

If you want to rent in Staveley it's helpful to get to know the locals as a lot of stuff is available on a who you know basis,. But they are mostly a friendly bunch .

this is really helpful, thank you. I had pretty much thought of going about it this way - once I am there full time I would more or less feel my way forward. The trick is to get started. Staveley always stood out to me because it is so very much it's own place but also quite close to the hot spots. Would be a great place to work from. I so long for a slow pace and some relative peace without being stuck in the middle of nowhere.

OP posts:

21Flora · 03/05/2021 22:21

@lovelyupnorth Apologies, it’s closer to 45% over 65 compared to 24% nationally according to ONS data. That’s without the new sheltered accommodation development for the elderly.

As somebody in their 20s, I think it’s relevant and wouldn’t pick to live there. Compared to other local communities it isn’t as connected or busy.

lovelyupnorth · 04/05/2021 00:01

[quote 21Flora]@lovelyupnorth Apologies, it’s closer to 45% over 65 compared to 24% nationally according to ONS data. That’s without the new sheltered accommodation development for the elderly.

As somebody in their 20s, I think it’s relevant and wouldn’t pick to live there. Compared to other local communities it isn’t as connected or busy.[/quote]
But that's just not true I have lived in Kirkby Lonsdale, Milnthorpe and Grange - Kirkby is the best but with Cartmel being close to Grange has a good vibe Plenty going on and easy access to Lancater and Ulverston for a bigger night out.

Kirby has plenty going on but less easy to get elsewhere on public transport at night.

Milnthorpe has the best range of take aways but lacks restaurants and the pubs are a bit shit Arnside pubs both a bit shit as well.

Mamanyt · 04/05/2021 00:02

I would never give up living somewhere I love because I may not like it for 3 months out of 12! That leaves 9 months that you do love it, and you won't have that. My goodness, I've known some reasonably successful marriages where one party or the other felt like their spouse wasn't who they'd choose 40% of the time, but the other 60% was lovely.

lovelyupnorth · 04/05/2021 00:04

As somebody in their 20s, I think it’s relevant and wouldn’t pick to live there. Compared to other local communities it isn’t as connected or busy.[/quote]
What new seltered accommodation for the elferly - they can't give away the flats in the exsisting blocks.

The last 4 or 5 major developments have all been family focused - Winfield Gardens, Cedric Walk, the two on road to Kents Bank.

21Flora · 04/05/2021 00:19

@lovelyupnorth it really isn’t a slight against you because you live in Grange! The OP wanted opinions on living in the Lakes. I’m in my 20s, worked managing the National Park and with young children, I wouldn’t want to live in Grange as there are half the amount of people under 18 compared to average and almost double the over 65s. The ONS doesn’t make this stuff up but it’s all just personal preference!

AnnieMacnee · 04/05/2021 01:41

Have you thought about a town just outside the Lakes like Kirkby Lonsdale? A pretty town in its own right, 30 mins south of the Lakes, 10 mins away from the Yorkshire Dales. Has a great Booths and beautiful views of its own. Can avoid the Lakes at peak tourist time and find space elsewhere.

Ifbutandmaybe · 04/05/2021 04:50

Been to the lakes a few times i just love Keswick I could quite easily move there! There are disadvantages and advantages of any area, I live in Dorset and have done most of my life so am accustomed to summer traffic and tourists the A31 horrendous in summer too , but if I was to move anywhere else would be Lake District and am quite envious of anyone who lives there lol.
Go for it, just to live anywhere with beautiful scenery i think worth it
i lived in West Mids for 20 yrs (by m6) and now back in Dorset it fills me with joy with scenery especially drive to work , even cows crossing road

wofs · 04/05/2021 07:16

I live between Bowness and Kendal and absolutely love it. Yes, I have to drive to a shop, but in an emergency it's only 10 minutes away. Neighbours fabulous, even though we are rural. Don't think there is no-one there. We just avoid Bowness in Summer - unless vital. Windermere is always do-able. ( Locals know where to park!)

Original poster

LetSophieGo · 04/05/2021 14:05

@wofs

Sounds perfect! I agreee with another power who said the downsides are likely worth it, and I will find my own way to negotiate the more packed seasons.

Now, I shall return to worrying about property availability! That will ultimately be my guide.
I have decided to look in the areas that I am most familiar with first. Then, later, I can explore others, such as arnside, milnthorpe, etc.

Thanks again :)

OP posts:

Original poster

LetSophieGo · 04/05/2021 14:05

agree with another poster

OP posts:

Snaketime · 04/05/2021 17:12

I live into the Peak District and it is a nightmare in the spring/summer seasons. Again it is such a beautiful area and it is nice that other people think so and the tourism keeps businesses going, but it does make day to day living difficult, such as getting to school to pick my DD up while being in masses of traffic, dodging 100's of walkers, cyclists, with the usual farm traffic on top, let alone going to work and finding somewhere to park so I can go to work. 5 minutes journies can take up to 30 minutes because of traffic. I remember one time my DF had to go to a neighbouring village that is 20mins away and it took him an 1hr and 30mins to get home.

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