To relocate from the south east up north??

[BadgerLovesMash]

Just to start I have never moved away from where I grew up so this would be huge!! But now after having our landlord decide to sell our home again (5th time in 12 years this has happened to us!) We are seriously considering moving somewhere cheaper. But some things making me wonder whether we should.

We currently live just outside of Brighton so are very used to easy and cheap public transport which is vital as we don't drive.

Our daughters are 14 and 10, so 1 heading into GCSE years and the other just about to start secondary school.

We have a good support network of friends and family here. All the girls friends are here.

However we are both on minimum wage. DH works for a company that would let him change locations. I work in childcare so could find another job in that field (I was looking to change anyway as no longer need term time once dd2 starts secondary and theres no chance of increased hours where i am) so financially we would be significantly better off.

For reference our current rent for a 3 bed is £1500 per month and this is cheap, others in this area are closer to £1800. I was looking at Grimsby and for a similar sized 3 bed it is £515. But that is 5hrs on the train from here!

So has anyone done this and what are the pros and cons?

Oh and this is all quite outing if you know me! 🤣

I’m in SE not far from you
i never ever ever would
for many reasons
but one to consider… is the weather!!

I have friends up north and went to university there… and my overriding memory is the bitter bitter cold.

us soft southerners aren’t cut out for it!

How often do you visit London?

i would so miss being able to jump on a train and in central london in 40 mins

Brighton to Grimsby?

no words

There are many good reasons to move up north but housing costs in the ‘nice’ areas with the good schools are on a par with many areas in the south east. I would advise you do your research very carefully. At the risk of offending someone. Not Grimsby.

Don't move up north. It's grim up here 😂

I know several friends who have made the move they have all bought homes.
My DF relocated (sold home in se) and became mortgage free.

Look at Cheshire, Lancashire and greater Manchester, all close to Liverpool and Manchester, plus the Lakes and Peak districts.

And it’s not the bloody arctic ffs

Anywhere to Grimsby. Just no.
And I already live in the North.

I would recommend Northwich, trains from this area to Manchester and Liverpool, train to London from Crewe (20 min drive from Northwich) are 1.5 hours.

Schools are excellent.

Feels like it to us southerners! 😂

We live near Doncaster. We chose it as there were good links to both the motorway network and train network. (And an airport but that didn't last)

Find a location like that.

There is a reason why the rent is so much cheaper...

You hardly live in the Med, stop talking nonsense

I grew up in Manchester and Lancashire and lived in Manc for a while. I also lived in London for a long time and Brighton for a bit. Now live in Scotland.

I'd say be careful. One thing I've observed about the rental market in many northern towns and cities is that the amount and quality level of the housing stock is lower than you'd find in (say) London or Brighton. We struggled to find a flat or house that was modern and well looked-after. You really struggle for unfurnished places too. Obviously this is a huge generalisation across a huge area but you will notice a difference.

It's because in many northern areas, housing is (or has been until recently) more affordable to buy relative to salaries, so renting isn't a necessary option into extended adulthood for many people like it is in London and the south east. Therefore the rental places that do exist tend to be at the cheaper end of the market.

Landlords selling your home from under you can happen anywhere. I've been uprooted like that four times now, and three of those times were in Manchester.

Don't go to Grimsby. It's nothing like Brighton save for being by the sea. If you want a Brighton-esque place — and Brighton is relatively unique in the UK in that combination of fun seaside town and relative affluence — you'd be better off looking at somewhere like Hebden Bridge (for the alternative cultural scene and aspect, not the seaside bit obviously as it's inland) or perhaps Liverpool.

Grimsby isn't great but there's loads of north that's lovely. What about Sheffield?

We currently live just outside of Brighton so are very used to easy and cheap public transport which is vital as we don't drive.

Manchester has good and reasonably priced public transport. However, I suspect housing costs might be not that much cheaper.

And it's not that cold up here!

Maybe go south west? Plymouth is cheap and not as cold. Quite hard to get to Brighton though as no direct links by rail or road. But it’s nice and you’d keep the sea close by!

I would consider the specific area carefully.

'The North' is not one homogenous blob - as in every part of the UK there is huge variety between areas which a geographically close together.

Go to visit places.

Sheffield isn't North. Not really 😉

You also need to factor in removals costs. You might end up paying a few hundred less on rent per month in a cheaper area, but if it costs you thousands to move — which it will — it could take you months and months, if not years, to defray that cost.

I wouldn't recommend grimsby however there's lots of places with good transport links. Could you look at Nottingham or Sheffield, Manchester or Leeds which would be easy to get to London and then further away by train. Also more for dc, job prospects, trams in some. For example reasonable area, great transport links, jobs and things for dc to do.
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/131959511#/media?id=media0&ref=photoCollage&channel=RES_LET

Very cheap areas often have bad transport and low employment. West Lakes is mega cheap in places, but it’s hard to get a job. If you can get a job and have a car you’ll be fine though.

Having said that, average rent in my nearest northern city is under £1000 which is considerably less than what you’re currently paying.

Personally I’d be loathed to move my 14 year old. I’ve got a 14 year old and she’d really struggle with a move though I’m keen to move to Newcastle in a few years. I lived in Yorkshire for a few years and probably wouldn’t look to go to Grimsby, that said I’m not fond of Brighton. Is there anyway to move slightly out of Brighton.

I’m not alone! Three years of uni and multiple visits…. And family and friends coming from down south…. We all brace ourselves.

It isn’t a criticism. Lots of people don’t like how warm the summers get down south.

Brighton is a very expensive part of the SE. There are many more affordable areas of Kent and Sussex. Have you explored those?

Also have a think about why you want to relocate. Is it juat about cheaper housing or are you also interested in a different lifestyle? Do you want to increase your career or job prospects? That can help inform where to look.

Commenta about the weather are relevant. I have also lived all my life in the SE of England and we often don't realise how much drier and warmer it is here compared more northerly parts. It might not be a deal breaker but it is something to consider.