I'm not from london originally but moved there for work after university and lived there for about 14 years, met DH there and we lived in zone 2 together for about 10 years. We had two DC in a small third floor flat and I really fell out of love with london after becoming a mum. I felt like everything felt like hard work, and I wasn't benefitting from central london, just going round the same local parks and shops each day and paying for expensive housing.
We decided to move in order to buy a house, this was about 10 months ago. I was so excited about the move and had no doubts. The house is really lovely and it's a nice safe area with good schools but I feel quite cut off and panicky about that. We didn't know anyone when we moved here and left my in laws behind - I didn't realise how much I enjoyed the security of having them local. We are now 20 miles away. I'm also so nostalgic about where we lived for our children's early years. I think about the places we went with them and feel so sad.
Where we are now we are about a 15 minute cycle from the station here which has three trains an hour into central london, the trains take 25 minutes so I was expecting to feel like we still have a london life, but it feels so different. Nothing around us except houses and some (beautiful) countryside. We have to cycle (not practical with the kids) or drive to do anything.
I feel like I need to give myself a shake. The local town is lovely and is less than 10 mins drive away. We do some regular classes and groups. We are friendly with some local people who also loved for similar reasons. It's just strange looking out of the window or stepping outside and there's nothing there, and having to drive everywhere.
I am starting a part time job soon and will be commuting into london once a week which I'm hoping will help me feel a bit more connected.
Does it sound like I have made a mistake or is this a "grass is always greener" mentality? I'm annoyed with myself as I was desperate to make this move.