Which life would you pick?

[agreentowel]

Imagine you’re looking to start a family in 2025. You currently live in option 1, but you’re not sure whether to stay there.

Which option would you pick?

Option 1 (Scotland)

• 400 miles from family and friends
• Easy commute to work
• Mortgage £800 p/m
• 3 bedroom, lovely house with garden
• Catchment area for great school
• Nice area with lots going on for children
• Higher tax
• No funded childcare until age 3

Option 2 (London)

• Closer to family and friends
• Commute for roughly an hour a day
• £1500 p/m mortgage
• Smaller house, in a less desirable area
• Free childcare from 9 months

Option 1.

Do your friends in London have kids? If not then be mindful that your friendships may well change when you have a different lifestyle to them. I have DC aged 10 and 6 and my friendship group is very different to before kids.

As my username suggests, I have a lot of guilt being a working mum. I started off with a long commute (1hr 10) when DC1 was born and had to quit the job after 18 months as the commute was horrendous and I never saw my child during the week.

Whilst I have lamented bringing up our children hundreds of miles from family, I think from what you’ve described id still pick option 1. Family and friends can always visit (and you them) but you might not get a nice school, nice house, short commute in London.