AIBU to think that I won’t regret moving closer to the city?

[TraybakesorCakes]

I moved late last year from a suburb where I lived opposite a farm and woodlands to another town where I’m closer to the main city here. I loved where I lived and I miss the wildlife but I moved to a ground floor flat because I’m disabled and likely to become increasingly so over the decades and my house with its stairs and large garden was no longer practical for me. In addition I don’t drive and may never be able to drive due to disabilities and there was only 1 bus in my area.

The town I live in now isn’t my dream town but it’s pleasant enough and I have 5 buses here(6 if you count one that only goes to the next town)a few minutes from my home. I’m 8 minutes walk from a train station and the train is only 5 minutes/1 stop from the city. My Dr, dentist, supermarket, health centre, cafes, restaurants etc are all within 10 minutes walk of my home so it’s ideal for me.

Now I appreciate it isn’t for everyone but it’s working for me but a friend constantly tells me that I’ll regret it and regularly asks me if I’ve changed my mind yet, to the extent I’ve asked her to stop but she continues to ask if it’s up for sale and suggests homes in my old area or near her. She lives more rurally than me and that is fine, I don’t think there’s one choice that works for everyone but AIBU to think that I’m unlikely to regret my move?

Your new place sounds much better for your needs. FWIW I’m able bodied, drive and would still find living rurally really hard - it’s not for me.
There are lots of benefits to city living that she probably isn’t familiar with. Ignore her.

If you're not regretting it now, you're certainly not going to regret it as your needs increase over time. You sound like you've made a really great choice which will enable you to make the most of life - plenty of public transport, walking distance to health and social hubs, easy to manage home set-up so no need to move in the future. Your friend sounds stuck in her ways, it's really good that you are not.

Your situation now sounds good. Ignore your rude friend!

Only you will know the answer. You obviously had your reasons for moving. Your friend needs to mind her own.

I used to live semi rurally and much as I loved the countryside and wildlife around me I also felt incredibly isolated. I had to drive everywhere, taxis were expensive if I was going out and the last train home was 8 pm! I’ve since moved back to a city and love having everything close by even if I don’t go out of an evening. It feels so much easier to have a life!
it sounds like you’ve made the right choice for you and your circumstances. Enjoy your new place and don’t let your friend dictate how she thinks you should feel. Good luck.

Some family members used to live very rurally. In their later life they’ve moved to a large village where they can walk to some shops or get the bus to a larger town. It’s much better for them. Moving to where your life is more convenient makes sense.

Sounds like a perfect set up to me. Tell your friend to butt out!

I personally think you should move further in!

😄 you've 100% done the right thing for yourself and will thank yourself as you get older x

I am considering moving to London in 8-10 years time if my career change plans work out. I haven’t mentioned it to her yet as she may spontaneously combust and she’ll probably take it as regret about moving here, which it isn’t. I just like the idea of a change but if that doesn’t happen I think that I’ll be quite content here.

Your friend sounds irritating and insensitive to keep going on when you've asked her not to. Also sounds insecure, like it somehow undermines her life choices for you to want something different. If she keeps at it, I'd get shirty - say you've asked nicely and she's still going on about it, so last warning to drop the subject or you'll be less nice about it next time i.e. you'll say stfu Doreen I'm happy here!

And yes, where you've moved to sounds good and much more practical.

Yes. Unfortunately though I miss the countryside views, woodland walks and wildlife practicality and my health has to take precedence in my situation. My circumstances are considerably different from my friend who does drive and doesn’t have my issues so living rurally works beautifully for her but not for me. She doesn’t seem to grasp that at all.

Do it!

I'm mid 30s now but picture myself as a city woman in my 80s, fashionable and an icon to the kids 😄

Practically though, everything is just easier isnt it. Deliveries, hospital appointments, taxis and disabled friendly bus and tube stations