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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To move north and become a childminder?

60 replies

itsme189 · 27/06/2026 19:11

Right now we live down south in a very expensive area to buy. We rent a tiny 2 bed house and with the cost of houses round here could never afford to buy even something the size of our house.

my DH works fully remotely and had been at the same company 10+ years. I work part time 3 days a week in an office. We have a 1 year old so I can’t work more due to childcare. We get by ok but can’t really afford luxuries or more than one haven holiday a year.

I have always wanted to move away for where we live and so had DH. Our parents are not in the best health (but they never are tbh) but they are fine and we have siblings who would like within 30 mins of them.

if we move to the location we are interested in we could afford (comfortably) a 3 bed house with much more space. The only issue is we use family for childcare one day a week so instead we could send her to nursery 3 days a week but I really don’t want to.

She likes nursery but is a bit of a victim if someone is getting pushed over, bitten or hit it’s her. I’ve been told it’s because once they do it she doesn’t move just freezes so she’s a bit of an easy target. It’s making me want to pull her from nursery because I scrolled through the app and she hasn’t had an incident free day in the last 9 sessions. I asked is there anything we can do to help like is she being a space invader, snatching etc. and they said no it’s just the age of the children and she’s the easiest to target as she doesn’t retaliate.

So seeing as we could afford the house up north with left over money. Would it be crazy to consider childminding? There would be space, the house is near a primary school. I have a childcare level 3 qualification. I loved childcare but nursery work etc doesn’t pay enough to live in my area so I had to change careers and become an analyst.

it would be a 5-6 hour drive away and my family and DHs would be gutted that we and their grandchild are that far away. Would it be selfish to just do it?

OP posts:
TeaDrinkings · 29/06/2026 00:19

Definitely go for it.
We moved 3 counties away from my parents. I did feel very guilty.
2 years later, they wanted to downsize and moved up here too.

Monty36 · 29/06/2026 07:14

Living in the North is very different. Easier if one of you has Northern connections. The weather is different. The humour is different. Depending on where you are the attitude to you may not always be sincere. There is banter as it is known but be prepared too for some who really will not like you because you are Southern. There are some good people and beautiful countryside.
I find people in the South far more blunt and straightforward. They don’t pretend to be your friend if they aren’t.
Think carefully about it.

Ilovemychocolate · 29/06/2026 07:27

Beingseenisneedy · 29/06/2026 00:02

Are you in England or Scotland if you don't mind me asking please?
Thanks.

I’m in England, in the midlands.

Ethelspagetti · 29/06/2026 07:45

Yes I would as that improves your quality of life. Having more space, owning property and being with your daughter more. Your parents may protest but they got to choose where they live and so do you. People move all of the time for work/buy cheaper property/scenic area.

FourSevenFour · 29/06/2026 07:51

One thing to consider when chosing the specific location.
If his job disappeared, would he be able to get another fully remote now? If the fully remote was not available, is some area better than others for finding some/any other job with some level of comuting?

caringcarer · 29/06/2026 08:03

I think it makes perfect sense. My eldest DS couldn't afford to buy a house in Midlands so moved up North and bought a 2 bedroom terraced house he's very happy in. He is a class 1 lorry driver so got a new job immediately as there is a shortage of them nationally. He has made several good friends and his best friend from school also lives in same city he moved to. He found a wonderful gf and can afford a decent lifestyle with a couple of holidays each year. Money goes further in North. When I visit him I notice cheaper prices on menus when I take him for a meal out.

Beingseenisneedy · 29/06/2026 08:49

Ilovemychocolate · 29/06/2026 07:27

I’m in England, in the midlands.

Thank you, very helpful post for the OP and others. I'll be moving to Scotland and I'm a similar position to OP.

mumumental · 29/06/2026 09:07

You need to pick a house very carefully if it’s the intention for your DH to work in the same place as you care for children. You need quiet and peace to wfh.

Ilovemychocolate · 29/06/2026 09:11

Beingseenisneedy · 29/06/2026 08:49

Thank you, very helpful post for the OP and others. I'll be moving to Scotland and I'm a similar position to OP.

You are very welcome…good luck with your move!

madisoncat · 29/06/2026 12:18

Reading the your DH has worked remotely for 10+ years I'd say go for it.

My SiL has worked remotely for years too, roughly 20+ yrs. They now live Derbyshire but moved from Sheffield to Christchurch New Zealand to Auckland New Zealand back to UK all with the same remote job.

His mum is a widow and lives in Cambridgeshire, I live in Yorkshire so it's not too bad now but for years DD, SiL and DGD were at 20+ hours 1 or 2 stop flight away and we managed.

You will find your way either as a Child Minder or some other job and as your DD grows your opportunities will change but but being able to afford a home or your own will only get harder.

We've seen house prices rise a great deal even in some ordinary places up north. Places like York and Harrogate have always had a premium but other places are catching up fast so if you have a place in mind and a working plan go for it. I wish you all the very best xx

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