People who moved out of London/ SE during 2020/21

[escapethecountry]

AIBU to think that there are quite a lot of people who are now regretting their decision to move out of London/ SE in the last couple of years? There seem to have been lots of office workers who were able to WFH who took the decision to move away, either to enjoy a larger house/ better quality of life or because they thought WFH would be permanent. I know a couple of families who moved away and are now considering moving back already. Have others moved/ know others who have moved and are now considering going back?

[quote OnlyFoolsnMothers]As a Londoner born and bred I really would like all London haters to piss off, in fact I’d like all non Londoners to piss so so I can’t stop being pushed further and further out (zone wise).
As for 700k houses, here you go people:
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/119692331#/?channel=RES_BUY

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/107581664#/?channel=RES_BUY

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/81544806#/?channel=RES_BUY[/quote]
I lived in London during the days when people considered Sidcup as a move out

I agree @1952VincentBlackLightning it is perfectly possible to like aspects of city and country life. We lived in Paris then Madrid for several years and loved it, but when we returned to England we eventually decided we wanted the country life. We live in a forest area now and its amazing, there is just as much to keep me interested as here was in cities. We have been given a warm welcome wherever we've lived. Also, over the years I've learnt that people are just people and as a whole there is very little difference from place to place, but equally they are not all the same, if you see what I mean.

@1952VincentBlackLightning - finally someone talking some sense. People get so defensive about where they live, rather than appreciating that all places have pros and cons, and different people get different things from living in London or elsewhere.

As another born and bred Londoner who has now been living in the rural SW for over 20 years, of course there are things that I miss about London. I loved growing up there and working and socialising there in my younger days. It's still a fantastic place to visit and we've taken DC many times over rhe years. However doesn't mean that living somewhere else is worse or better, its just different. To suggest that no one outside London is capable of conversation or culture is not only rude, but quite untrue.

I still love visiting London but I also love seeing deer and owls in my garden, seeing a myriad of stars in our really dark skies, walking on the beach which is 5 minutes away, spotting dolphins in the sea and not having to worry about leaving the door unlocked while I pop to the village.

Diana fancy a visitor?

I'm still wondering what OP was looking.

I don't think I will miss anything from 2022 London when I leave, though it's possible I will wind up in place that some consider London.

But I am also utterly befuddled by the comments on places outside. It's one thing if it's a north/sarf London style joke, but some posters are serious.

@EmmaH2022

Diana fancy a visitor?

I'm still wondering what OP was looking.

I don't think I will miss anything from 2022 London when I leave, though it's possible I will wind up in place that some consider London.

But I am also utterly befuddled by the comments on places outside. It's one thing if it's a north/sarf London style joke, but some posters are serious.

I agree! The territorial attitudes are baffling. I have never been that invested in it even when I loved the place. I also acknowledge that for young adults at the start of particular types of career it is hard to beat. Unfortunately, I don't need it in the same way anymore and I feel like I am occupying a coveted spot and failing to put it to good use.

Anyone want to specifically recommend their areas, versus 'where I live is so great etc etc'? I live in London and would love to live somewhere like Hampstead but will never be able to afford it. Does anyone know somewhere that has a Hampstead or Fulham or Barnes vibe but without the price tag? Somewhere with good state comps and lots for teenagers to do? I'm always searching for such a place but no luck so far.

Muswell Hill, Crouch End? Southfields, Wimbledon? Not as smart as Hampstead etc but quite a bit cheaper and love leafy places with great schools.

Apologies for not managing to come back on here yesterday and thank you for all the replies. We have always lived in London and love it here but our current home is really cramped now that we have DC. Neither of us WFH though but we are both teachers so are quite optimistic that we should find jobs elsewhere. We have been thinking about moving out but are worried that we may hate the quiet and miss family too much. I know of a couple of families who are now regretting moves to Cornwall (for different reasons) and am anxious not to make the wrong decision. It looks as if most people who have moved are happy with their choice.

@escapethecountry

Apologies for not managing to come back on here yesterday and thank you for all the replies. We have always lived in London and love it here but our current home is really cramped now that we have DC. Neither of us WFH though but we are both teachers so are quite optimistic that we should find jobs elsewhere. We have been thinking about moving out but are worried that we may hate the quiet and miss family too much. I know of a couple of families who are now regretting moves to Cornwall (for different reasons) and am anxious not to make the wrong decision. It looks as if most people who have moved are happy with their choice.

Maybe ask the question you actually wanted to ask on the Property board.

@escapethecountry

Apologies for not managing to come back on here yesterday and thank you for all the replies. We have always lived in London and love it here but our current home is really cramped now that we have DC. Neither of us WFH though but we are both teachers so are quite optimistic that we should find jobs elsewhere. We have been thinking about moving out but are worried that we may hate the quiet and miss family too much. I know of a couple of families who are now regretting moves to Cornwall (for different reasons) and am anxious not to make the wrong decision. It looks as if most people who have moved are happy with their choice.

Can't comment on missing family, but not everywhere outside London is quiet! I'm in a city by the sea - the countryside and beach are on the doorstep but we are decidedly urban. Now that I've got teens I'm really grateful to be less cramped - they and their entourages of great lolloping mates take up so much space, they would never have fitted in our old place! Why don't you try renting somewhere for a bit? There is a lot of life outside the south east, we promise!

Chislehurst High Street is lovely (think ladies that lunch) but expensive!

@escapethecountry Don't assume that places which are good for holidays will be good as a permanent home. Quaint and quirky is fun for a holiday but can be annoying when dealing with day to day matters.

What sort of lifestyle do you want? Cities and major towns have theatres, museums and art galleries. Many of these are amazing and not at all second rate. People living outside of London are not living some sort of half life.

I live in the Midlands a 2 hour commute from London for the occasional days I need to be in the London office.

Pros
Housing costs are low relative to other areas. 3 bed semi in a nice area is around £260k
Good road links
Pleasant day to day life. We don't tend to go out much but when DCs were small they went on plenty of zoo and museum trips in the region (plenty of choice)

Cons
Poor public transport
Limited choice of schools. DCs have done well though.

It all depends on what you are looking for.

[quote supermoonrising]@OnlyFoolsnMothers
With all due respect you are clueless about london- south east London, zone 4, 20mins into central, 20mins into gorgeous kent countryside- 700k would buy you a fabulous house!

Could you suggest an area that could get a fabulous house (min 3 bedrooms) + 20 minutes to central London? Not possible from my research….[/quote]
Come to blackheath