Considering moving outside of London for more suitable property

[crystal112]

Hi all, I was a nurse for over 20 years but 5 years ago I had a car accident which his left me so disabled I'm no longer able to walk unaided, work or do majority of things for myself (I have a carer) and lost my independence. I've been on my local social housing list for the last 3 years as my current upstairs maisonette is extremely unsuitable and adaptions cannot be made so following OT assessment I was placed into band B. The issue is there are no bungalows or ground floor flats to bid on here at all, however my landlord (housing association) have many bungalows listed outside of London - mainly in Nottingham (which I'm really interested in), Kent (wouldn't mind) and Derbyshire. I always wanted to move out of London but after having children I just stayed here. Well my youngest has moved onto university campus outside of London and the oldest one has started his second year also living on campus but at a Londond university.

My dilemma is I've been trapped and housebound for years because I cannot get outside as I can't use the stairs at all and there is no lift & stairlift can't be installed. I'm really considering bidding on a bungalow in Nottingham but I worry about my boys because obviously all their friends and family are in London, so once they finish university (and also during the holidays) they may not want to live in Nottingham because they'll want to visit friends etc. My eldest told me to go for it when he started uni last year but the youngest gave no reply. I hate the idea of ripping them away from their friends but am I to remain stuck housebound forever?

Any advice is welcome please.

I’m sorry you have had no replies. I would say definitely go for it, your sons might not even come home after uni, some stay in those uni city. If you are housebound because of the stairs, the move will probably be what you need!

Hi, would there be anything to bid on if you considered flats that are not ground floor but do have a lift?

I appreciate if the lift was out of order you would be stuck (like now) but most of the time when it is working you would be OK and you can stay in your community, near your London son and near your current carer.

So sorry to hear of your difficult situation but you absolutely have to move and not feel guilt or a need to stay for your grown dcs

@DurinsBane & @Spagettifunctional I think I'm going to start bidding on properties outside of London because as you've said I'm remaining stuck and trapped due to my sons, I had a repairman here yesterday who actually said I should go for a place on the outskirts which is only 30mins away from London so the boys can still easily visit their friends.

@Winter2020 honestly no because I don't want to be in this situation again, also there haven't even been flats for me to bid on

Parts of Kent are easily commutable to London. You shouldn't be trapped inside forever especially when they are no longer on site to pop out for something. If you get somewhere wheelchair accessible you could catch a taxi somewhere.

@Unexpecteddrivinginstructor Oh I never considered Kent but my housing association do have a lot of properties down there so I'll add that to the list. I used to drive and once I'm moved to a more suitable and accessible home I'm sure I can start driving again. Thanks

Gosh yes if you could drive an adapted vehicle then yes definitely you need to move somewhere that you could do that. It will open up your world. There are lots of places in Kent on a direct train line to London.