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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Why did you move cities/country's?

28 replies

PumpkinTruffle · 21/12/2022 09:13

Posting mainly for traffic and wasn't sure where this post should go.

I am very much considering moving to a quieter part of the uk as I move the countryside but somewhere not too far from the huddle and bustle of city life, but this is yet to be decided.

I just wanted to know why and what made you move countries or counties?

OP posts:
Original poster
PumpkinTruffle · 21/12/2022 09:13

Oops I meant countries*

OP posts:
DifficultBloodyWoman · 21/12/2022 09:17

Moved country for education
then moved city for further education
then moved city for work
then moved country (repeatedly) for work
then moved country for husband
then moved city for husband

JaceLancs · 21/12/2022 09:19

Moved county for education
moved again for post grad training and greater opportunities
moved again due to relationship breakdown and need to find cheaper housing
moved to a more rural area and to be nearer to aging parents
not moving again!

Pothoswithasparkle · 21/12/2022 09:20

I get bored and restless in same place. It's like... An adrenaline sport?
If I could I move every year🤦
3 countries, 7 cities so far. Mid 30s

ComtesseDeSpair · 21/12/2022 09:25

I left London for rural Scotland a decade ago largely because I thought it would be nice to have a big house and a change of scenery. It was enjoyable for about a year and I really liked a lot of the landscape; after that I realised that country living isn’t for me. Not enough going on, too few opportunities to make real friends, a lot of people around me were born and bred in the immediate area and very set in their views and ways. Also cold, and far away. I returned to London seven years ago and am immeasurably happier. Spare empty bedrooms and a bigger garden can’t compensate for the fab life and friendship group I have here now.

Mueslikid · 21/12/2022 09:27

For work, every time.

Alaimo · 21/12/2022 09:29

Different reasons. In my late teens I moved for education, then after finishing university I wanted to move to a more interesting/bustling city. In my 30s I moved country because I wanted a change of scenery, experience a different culture/way of life. Moving again next month (within non-UK country) for a job opportunity.

I think underneath these different reasons is a sense of restlessness, a desire to have different experiences, and potentially a bit of a fear of missing out/thinking life is good but could be even better in the next place.

FarmGirl78 · 21/12/2022 09:41

Age 23. Met a man at a national event who I started a long distance relationship with and after 12 months moved to his city, in the subburbs. About 100 miles from my hometown.

Age 32. By this point we'd split up and I moved to another county after getting a big promotion. At this point I was in the middle of undiagnosed depression and went for the big job and impressive house just to keep up with my parents ridiculous expectations of what I should be. Much more rural, middle of countryside. Very affluent area where I just didn't fit in (being very Northern and working class).

Age 36. Severe depression. On verge of losing job due to evil evil boss and being unable to stand up for myself or pull myself together enough to function at work. Failed. Completely. GP advised me "to go back to where people know you and love you". I eventually gave myself permission to choose happiness over money and status, and decided to up sticks and move again. Considered the town I'd moved to at 23 as still had masses of friends there, but chose my hometown as I wanted to be able to spend plenty time with my elderly Grandparents. Moved back 'home' and so glad I did. Relatives, friends, grass roots down to earth folk, strangers say hello on the street, pies, chippy teas on Friday and wonderful wonderful working class-ness. Best decision ever!

SnowAndIceLobelia · 21/12/2022 10:37

Moved from home to country A for work (3 years). Moved to country B for work (1 year) . Moved to country C for work (3 years) Moved to country D for work (4 years) Met DH Moved to Country E for DH and work (2 years) Moved to UK for DH. Might move back 'home' for elderly family and better quality of life but I have sprnt exactly half my life 'in' my home country and half out of it so expect I will find a massive culture shock if I go back.

Essexexile · 21/12/2022 10:42

Moved to a different country in our mid 20’s for DH’s job, then back to the UK for the same reason 4 years later. Moved counties for the same reason then a few years ago moved counties again for a quieter life, somewhere more peaceful and nearer our GC’s, DH left his job and got a new one where we are now and where we intend to stay, we love where we live now.

Xiaoxiong · 21/12/2022 10:50

Jobs or education. We've moved once for my job, once for DH's and I think we're set now until the kids leave home.

I would think hard about support networks - they're very hard to build as an adult and the reason to move has to outweigh the loss of friends and family nearby. Being rural makes this even harder I think - I read regularly on MN posts from people who moved from the city to the countryside and regret it, haven't made any friends, are isolated, can't drive, friends don't visit as it's too far etc. Visiting the countryside or staying in a holiday cottage a few weeks a year is quite different from living there full time and usually house price differentials mean it's hard to move back.

MarshaBradyo · 21/12/2022 10:52

Early twenties, excited by big cities, loved the opportunity and thought NYC but London was second and easier as had passport. I prefer it now anyway.

PinkPrettyAndPointed · 21/12/2022 10:57

Moved to a new country in my 20s for excitement, then spent 15 years away from home, living all over.

Moved back to my home country 4 years ago to be near my parents and family. Absolutely love it.

whumpthereitis · 21/12/2022 11:04

The first time because my parents moved. Second time because I saw greater opportunity elsewhere.

Life isn’t the same wherever you live, and moving away can definitely work in your favour by affording you a better life. I don’t consider myself tied to any one area, and I wouldn’t want to be.

Raggeo · 21/12/2022 11:15

Initially I moved from small town to city for education then afterwards I was happy to move anywhere for work. Eventually wanted to be closer to my family so moved county to be nearer but still in a city. Then moved county again to save some money. Moved country for DH's work. Came back to UK for his work and to be nearer family again. Then moved county to be able to afford a larger house with garden. Don't plan on moving again for a very long time. I have enjoyed every place that I have lived, each place suited my circumstances at that time.

TintinHadToBeMale · 21/12/2022 11:41

Education, work, better opportunities, better life (better services, functioning economy and more equality in EU). Lately we had to move to a cheap U.K. area because of the UKs attitude to the EU and to working people not born to inherited wealth. I hate it and want to move to a reasonably peaceful and law-abiding area nearer a city with work opportunities. But that was always asking too much of this dump.

MrsHughesPinny · 21/12/2022 13:43

Work opportunities or relationships so far.

But I’m not much of a ‘staying still’ type of person, I’m sure I’ll relocate many more times.

Bubble123Tea · 21/12/2022 13:58

Last move was due to job relocation

Next move is due to being too far from family & friends
Currently planning

Bubble123Tea · 21/12/2022 14:00

I don't expect the next move to be the final move

SnowAndIceLobelia · 21/12/2022 14:05

I expect 2 moves or more before the final move as well.

I want to live in France or Vienna for a bit. My older DS who is unlikely to ever live independently wishes to live in France also. Then i imagine living in Singapore (where I lived as a child and think of with enormous fondness) before I have my 'death move' as my parents call it.

elQuintoConyo · 21/12/2022 14:18

I was a forces child, so moving is in my blood. We moved 15 times.

Early-20s I left the UK for country A. Moved to country B for love, lived in fantastic city. Now living in country B city C, not far from fantastic city , but smaller and cheaper.

We were sorely tempted with moving to country D, but DC were getting a little bit older and the change of language would've made it difficult. So we go there on holidays as much as we can.

I left UK in '98 and have never been back.

I wouldn't bat an eye upping sticks and moving again.

mondaytosunday · 21/12/2022 14:32

I moved to another country for education. I then moved to another for work and stayed as I got married.
I moved within that country for a fresh start after bereavement but moved back after ten years as missed the city and kids had pretty much grown up.

KnickerlessParsons · 21/12/2022 14:35

I moved for love 💑

Mentalpiece · 21/12/2022 14:37

Moved to several different countries, including to the UK due to my husband's work.
We will be moving for the final time back to my home country when he retires in a couple of years time.

Bluevelvetsofa · 21/12/2022 14:40

Moved town for education
Moved to a city for a job
Moved to a town for husband
Moved to another town for bigger house and space
Moved again for a quieter pace.

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