Hi everyone,
I’m hoping for some advice or perspective as we try to figure out our next move.
I’m originally from the Netherlands and my husband is South African. We moved to Wandsworth/London a couple of years ago for work and a bit of an adventure, and we really do love it here. But as much as we love the buzz, the parks, and the lifestyle, buying a house here is just out of reach. We’re currently renting a two-bedroom apt.
We’re now trying to work out where to go next, and honestly… I’m a bit lost.
We’ve looked at Guildford, Horsham, and several parts of Surrey like Shepperton, Epsom, Esher and Claygate. They’re all lovely, but I come from a small town and the idea of moving to another small town in the UK terrifies me a little, I’m worried it’ll feel isolating and quiet after London, especially with a child.
We have a one-year-old, and I’ve made a great group of mum friends here. The thought of starting from scratch again somewhere smaller and possibly lonelier is a big worry. I’m also worried about (secondary) schools, as we’re not familiar with the system here.
We can both work from home, which gives us flexibility, but we also really enjoy being out and about and culture, I don’t think we’re ready for the full countryside life just yet but yet that’s all we can afford.
I’ve always loved Brighton, it feels vibrant and fun, but my husband thinks it’s too far from London and from work opportunities, family/friends.
So… has anyone been in a similar boat? Any places you’d recommend that feel lively but are still a bit more affordable than London? Somewhere with a good mix of vibe, culture, community, green space, and life?
Thanks in advance for any thoughts or suggestions.