Should we stay or should we go? Move back to London?

[threeboysandaguitar]

We moved out of London 13 years ago to a small cathedral town when our eldest was secondary age. We moved for the schools and naively thought grammar would be the best option for educating our three DS. It didn’t quite turn out that way and they all went to different schools. We are now at a crossroads. Our youngest is applying for sixth form and we find ourselves looking to London as an opportunity to make the move back. I am now working there 3 days a week and everyone is keen to return (elder two are at uni). DH is a musician and up for the move although he is more established here with his work. Is it a mad idea? Should we stay in a town that’s pretty, with easy living but uninspiring and a bit of a God’s waiting room, or should we head back to the city? We have made some friends here but also still have some in London. It would be a wrench to leave our lovely townhouse - it would be smaller if we move. Should we stay or should we go?

If you can afford London go!

Do it. It doesn’t sound you are excited or inspired by where you are. It sounds like you only left London for schools. If you still hve friends and a community in London and can afford to move then do it.

Of course choose London!

Come back to London. It's still pretty fabulous here.

What areas would you be looking at if you returned? What's your budget? I love a good right move hunt

If you can afford it go. There are so many more opportunities and things to do in the city compared to smaller towns.

Would you youngest be looking at London colleges and sixth forms?

Are you in Canterbury? Honestly, if you live within an hour of London stay where you are but go back for day trips. Then you get the best bits. London is fast turning into a toilet if you live here.

What does your DC applying for 6th form want to do? If they want to stay would stay.

I love London but not the high cost of housing or pressured public services. Would stay and visit London regularly after work or on weekends.

You can’t much like where you are now to refer to it like trhat!

Sorry, would stay until DC all finished school, unless DC is super keen to move to London and a type who enioys change etc

I vote London. But you will need to look at the finances obviously.
in other news :We have the Elizabeth Line now and the overground has finally got proper names!
Also there is the most bizarre lightshow at Tottenham Court Road, its as if those huge electronic advertising boards at Piccadilly Circus were brought down lower and closer together. Flashing light can trigger my migraines so I now have to avoid that area!
Apart from that London hasn't changed apart from all the shops and new buildings!

I’m a two hour journey into London and spend at least one day a week there. I’m thinking it is worth reducing the ‘commute’ to an hour so can make more frequent visits. So looking at that as an option.

I have lived between London and Cornwall my whole life and often wrestled with which place to settle. I adore them both but I have come to the conclusion that I cannot live in Cornwall full time and long term. I need regular immersion in the buzz of London, the array of things to do, the concentration of fascinating people, the ease of making friends and fitting in that comes with a big city and is so much harder in smaller communities.

Will your uni kids want to live with you in London when they graduate? It may be great for them to have the job opportunities and somewhere to live, at least temporarily.

Can you actually afford London prices so long after moving out and needing to take a shorter term mortgage now? You can’t really compare your specific town to “London”. Your experience will vary wildly depending on where in London you are. It depends what you can afford really.

Yes, go back. Way more opportunities plus your commute must be proper shit.

Come to south east London so you can travel back easier to see friends?

I love where I live (Greenwich/Blackheath)

We made the same choice 12 years ago and now we’re desperate to go back. But I think we priced ourselves out 😭

Should we stay in a town that’s pretty, with easy living but uninspiring and a bit of a God’s waiting room sounds exactly like where I live! Only I feel like we’re stuck because I doubt we can afford to move back or anywhere close.

Hi @LostittoBostik we are thinking somewhere with green space -
East Dulwich / Herne Hill / Nunhead / Peckham Rye (safe?) or maybe Richmond/Kingston/Wimbledon. Our budget is probably around £1.35. I’m a bit of a Rightmove nut too!

I feel your pain! Our move is very dependent on a good sale. So interesting to see comments here - really helpful. I had no idea so many would advocate London.

Yes spot on - this was part of our thinking. We may live to regret it when they are still
with us 10 years later (!) but it definitely would help them.

Oh, god, with that budget come back to London!

Would you come before Sixth Form? Lots of good sixth forms.

So much for teens to do, and they get around on their 16+ Zip Cards.

E Dulwich / H Hill getting v expensive but Streatham Hill is great (e.g https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/149840081#/?channel=RES_BUY ) and West Norwood.

Exactly how I feel. Thanks for your comment - very helpful.

He is very keen to move!

With your budget I would go back to London in a shot.

Yes we are applying - have missed a few deadlines (Esher College looked great) but quite a few still open.