Meeting other child free people

[TreesForMe]

Hello

I am single, child free (I didn't want them even if I had a suitable partner), 40 and moving from London to the North East.

Having lived in London for many years, I crave open green spaces, woodland walks, proximity to hills, the freedom a car brings...so I have decided to move to a small village in Northumberland. Its only 20 mins into Newcastle, so although on the doorstop it feels remote - it's not really.

All of my friends in London have children, actually all the people I know everywhere have children (100% of them). I don't know where all the child free people are hiding, I keep hearing the stats but it's not what I see.

I wish I had a partner to make this move with, I'd feel less anxious - but that hasn't happened and I'm taking the leap.

Is there any child free single people out there who have made such a move and not looked back? Logically there will be more child free people in London, but I haven't managed to meet them.

Am I crazy to make this move?

Has anyone had any success with online friend meeting sites?

TIA

I moved from London to Dublin when I was 32 and Dublin to rural Portugal when I was 44, both times on my own (I did take my dog with me to Portugal!).

I found it very...freeing. You can essentially reinvent yourself, leaving behind any bad memories and mistakes and use the lessons you've learnt in your old life to make the new life better. As a newcomer you'll be (hopefully) welcomed by your new community so accept all invitations and get to know the people who matter - the shopkeepers, restaurant and pub staff in your village!

Good luck 😊

Thank you! That's great advice....and just what I am hoping to achieve.

London is big enough to reinvent yourself if. You're anonymous if you move to another area of it. I'd imagine it suffocating in a small town and if anything goes wrong you won't be anonymous.

I hope it;s ok for me to comment. I have children. But I also have several child free friends in London. I wanted to expand my social circle, so i joined Meetup groups for various interests. Most of the women in my book club and walking groups are single and child free. That's where they are hiding!

Of course it's OK for you to comment :0)

I went on a few meet up walking groups and they were all much much younger. Same with some cooking classes and volunteering, I was hoping to meet people closer to my age - but I will definitely join some up north, and look out for a book club.

I've been moving round London for 20 years! I'm not looking to be anonymous, just closer to the things that make me happy these days.

I am in my early fifties, so nearly everyone is always younger than me. I don;t let that deter me too much. I am happy to make friends with anyone as long as we have similar interests.

You may find that a lot of women like me are free of the responsibilities of DC and are happy to make new friends, with or without children. I have never liked talking about my children that much anyway; it's so dull for other people. I have always preferrred talking about books, art, film, theatre and things like that. I talk about my kids to my mum and sister.

Book clubs and things like that are good because you talk about the hobby, not your personal lives.

I'm 41 and single and did the same as you last year, moving from London (well Croydon really) up to Oxfordshire - I haven't regretted it at all.

I now live in a pretty little market town with lots going on and every time I walk through it and marvel at the picturesque buildings and cute little independent shops, I thank God I'm no longer in The Cronx with its druggies, dog sh*t on the pavement, and general air of desperation...😆Plus, I got more for my property money up here than in London.

I've joined a local sports club up here, and while it hasn't necessarily connected me with other child-free people, I feel connected to the people I have met via a shared love/interest in this hobby, which I think is the most important thing.

I'd say be proactive but patient when trying to meet people - it can take time to build up contacts and friends in a place, and be open to trying new things (for a brief and rather chaotic 5 weeks last year, I joined the local ladies cricket club - I know NOTHING about cricket!).

Do you have anyone you know that lives nearby (and when I say nearby, I mean up to an hour's drive as once you're out of London, that won't seem as far, especially if you have a car!)? I have a couple of very good friends who had already made the move out of London that live nearish, and that's definitely helped too.

I'm a massive cheerleader of people who take the plunge and move away from the support network/millstone of London. It's a really brave decision to make, especially on your own, so you should be proud of yourself! People from the north east are lovely (one of my dearest friends was from there) and very friendly so I'm sure you'll be fine!

Hello OP 😊 I have recently made a lovely new (childfree) friend on Bumble BFF. Also I live in the North East. If you would like to chat, please message me. I am very actively looking for childfree friends. 😊

I know I'm late to the party but just been browsing threads on the hunt for childfree friends myself. I'm from near Newcastle and happy to meet up with anyone in a similar postion to me :) 38 and friendship circle is getting smaller every year it seems.