.. to move to a new city by myself at 37

[amnm]

I’m 37, single, and have been living in London for over 12 years. I was hoping to buy a flat in the next year or so, but I’ve just spoken with a mortgage advisor, and the most I could afford would be a (very small) one-bed flat somewhere in a commuter town around 45 mins or more from Zone 1 (e.g. Chelmsford, Slough etc.).

Given that I’ll have to move somewhere by myself anyway, part of me is wondering should I just cut my losses and move to a city up north somewhere where I could get a bigger place for the same price. The flats that I could afford all seem tiny whereas I can see 2-3 bed houses for the same price in places like Liverpool or Leeds. I can’t see myself having the same social life as I have now if I’m living miles outside central London and having to plan every move according to train-times etc.

I can find similar work anywhere in UK and close family all live in another country anyway so that's not an issue.

The main con, that I’m really worried about, would be that literally would mean moving somewhere where I know no-one, and have to start from scratch building up a social network etc. As I’m in late thirties, I don’t know how sensible this is. Has anyone ever done this, especially outside London. Or am I being overly-dramatic? Would love to hear any thoughts.

It could be an exciting change and a wealth of new experiences if you are open to them. The way of life is really different though. I'm from London but live in Liverpool now. Would happily be your friend 🙂. Even though there's stuff to do here it all depends on what you are looking for.

Move to Leeds, I'll be your friend
In all seriousness I think its very sensible, as you say moving to the outskirts means you would have to plan your social life more carefully anyway. There are lots of ways to meet people online or in hobby groups to create a new social group and you could always give it a few years and if you hate it move back

I moved to a new town at the age of 46, and haven't regretted it for a minute. I was lucky to acquire lovely neighbours though - make sure you ask about the neighbours, I avoided anywhere that was obviously going to be full of families and bought a more quirky cottage instead.

Come to Liverpool! If you do, PM me and I'll be your friend

I’m a little older than you and a friend of mine did exactly this a few years back. Her job was one where the pay was roughly the same whatever part of the country you work in, so she applied for jobs in Leeds, Manchester, Edinburgh, Newcastle etc to get out of house shares in London and took the first one she liked. Now owns her own place and is happy and fully settled in the new city. Go for it

I am 41 and sometimes think of this. Haven't yet ruled it out. I think it could be an exciting shake up OP :)

Why not. Choose a lively city though - Glasgow, Edinburgh, Leeds, Liverpool, Bristol.

Absolutely go for it! Living in a depressing flat somewhere you don't want to be and paying q fortune will be soul destroying.
Move to a vibrant city, buy a fab house, throw yourself into new friends and embrace every opportunity that comes your way, you'd be crazy not to.

Thanks for all the offers of being friends! Looks like settling in somewhere new might be easier than I thought :-D

I think there's definitely reasons to go for it...if I'm going to be sitting somewhere lonely by myself, it might as well be in a reasonably-sized house/flat rather than a shoebox.

Just a bit nervous of actually going through with it!