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Original poster

People who have moved to the country from London

490 replies

CountessDracula · 13/01/2006 14:37

What exactly is so much cheaper about living in the country to justify the massive salary cut you have to take when you move?

Food, clothes, schools etc the same price surely. Plus masses of petrol so that is more. If you are moving to an area where the house prices are not dissimilar to London, I can't see where you make the saving.

OP posts:
UCM · 13/01/2006 23:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

jennifersofia · 13/01/2006 23:30

NQC - FINALLY I have found someone who agrees with me about Brick Lane bagels. I live off Brick Lane and have been trying to convince my husband for years that they are FAKE bagels and rubbish!

Original poster
CountessDracula · 13/01/2006 23:47

morningpaper i totally pmsl over that if it helps but I am half australian

OP posts:
Mytwopenceworth · 13/01/2006 23:52

why do londoners think the civilised world ends at the M25??!!! pah!

hunkermunker · 13/01/2006 23:56

Why do people who live outside the M25 think all Londoners have no concept of anywhere outside the M25?

Mytwopenceworth · 14/01/2006 00:00

oh, they may know a world after m25 exists, but it looks like they tend to think it is inferior! - am basing this on the posts here btw!!!!!!! plus my own london experience! - still have family and friends there.

spacedonkey · 14/01/2006 00:36

Is it just London-dwellers? Do people living in other cities end up having the same discussions?

RachD · 14/01/2006 01:02

if I have read this correctly, Countessdracula's dh has been keen on this move for years.
But, she is clearly not.
Living in the country, is not the be-all-and-end-all, you know.
I grew up, in a very small place, in Devon, so I do know.
I agree, with "drosophilia" - unless you are very keen, it's not "that" great.

NotQuiteCockney · 14/01/2006 07:23

Oooh, m2pw, I think the world ends at the M25. Or maybe the north circular? My map just says "here be dragons".

Jennifersofia, where have you found bagels you like? (The Brick Lane ones are boiled, but they're not nice.)

morningpaper · 14/01/2006 10:07

'here be dragons'

chortle

very funny

Aloha · 14/01/2006 10:20

I tend to find that almost wherever you go, if you say you live in London, people say, 'oh London! I couldn't live there! Oh no. HOrrible! I knew someone who lived in London once. Couldn't wait to get out. I can't even stand to visit.'
And I sit there nodding politely, thinking, 'well, I couldn't live for a second in this godforsaken hole, but I think it would be quite rude to say so.'
Happens quite often. Very odd.

Original poster
CountessDracula · 14/01/2006 12:12

YES Aloha that is very common, especially on holiday when encountering someone from Basildon or Kettering

Actually this thread has gone rather off topic, there are plenty of threads about how Londoners don't appreciate the marvels of the cuntry

I just wanted to know whether it really was cheaper to live there

OP posts:
uwila · 14/01/2006 13:46

So how did your conversation go with your DH last night?

We are the opposite of you guys. We started our married life in Winchester, and ever since I've been edging my way closer and closer to London. From Winchester we went to Epsom, then Sunbury. Next stop Twickenham (if we get into school there).

Something struck me quite far down on this thread where you say you live in the middle of three good schools now. If you move to Soton and there is one good school, that can be risky. You know if the area has one great school two good schools and four bad schools then there will be an awful lot of competition for the one school, but most children won't get in. And don't forget that Richmond borough comes in the very top of the league tables every year. So when you look at the budget calculation you might be comparing state schools in East Sheen to private ones down South.

I feel sorry for you on this thread because it looks very clear to me that you do NOT want to go. But, I admire your dedication to your husband that you would go for him -- knowing full well it will not bring you happiness.

SleepyJess · 14/01/2006 14:01

Cleaners? Gardeners? Children that cost money to educate??? Wow.. there is soooo much diversity on MN! (One of the reasons I like it.. nowhere else could I fraternixe with such segmments of the population!!! )

SJ x

PS Have read most of the thread.. but has anyone mentioned getting away from the pollution? You born and bred urban chicks may not notice it.. but it's there. I have a child with a lung disease and I have a head full of stats about how the London atmosphere negatively affects their health... (and the health of all people obviously)

SleepyJess · 14/01/2006 14:02

[my typing has gone to the dogs clearly..]

iota · 14/01/2006 14:05

SJ - I developed asthma when I was living in London ( was in my 30s with no family history)

obviously this proves nothing, and I could have developed it anywhere, but just wanted to say it

SleepyJess · 14/01/2006 14:10

True Iota.. but the statistics on the incidence of lung diseases speak for themselves. Much higher in cities.

My DS has cystic fibrosis which is obviously not ^caused' by pollution as it is genetic.. but I am nonetheless very glad we live in the Garden of England..

spacedonkey · 14/01/2006 14:10

CD - I thought kids could only travel free on buses? I still have to pay for mine to use the tube anyway (unless there's something I've missed)

Original poster
CountessDracula · 14/01/2006 14:11

Yes Sleepyjess, i agree there are plenty of good things too.

Get away from pollution
Get away from living under the final approach to Heathrow!
Lots of fresh air
Nice big garden for dd and ddog to run around in
Close to my parents, nice for dd to see a lot of her grandparents, plus free babysitting!
Have friends down there already so don't have to worry about being lonely
Will have really lovely weekends when London friends come to stay

OP posts:
SleepyJess · 14/01/2006 14:15

It sounds lovely to me CD.. but then I am a bit country-bumpkin-ish I suppose...

Lonelymum · 14/01/2006 14:16

Been thinking this one over.

It seems to me it is obvious CD that you don't want to move out of London and your dh does. It doesn't sound like you will ever change your mind about this. Let's faceit, you know what Hampshire is like and you know whether you will like it or not. I would have thought that (Winchester house prices aside) it is obvious that generally life is cheaper in the sticks, or rather London is more expensive, hence London Weighting.

Isn't the bottom line does dh really want the job that would take you down to Hampshire? Is it a good career move for him? That, and that alone, has been what has dictated our many moves.

iota · 14/01/2006 14:21

CD - dh used to live in a flat nr North Sheen rlwy -- and yes we got woken up at 6am by the planes throttling back on their final approach.

Had some good times in London though, when we were young free and single [sigh]

I'm glad I live in MK now though, in semi-rural splendour (and less than an hr to the Big Smoke)

Original poster
CountessDracula · 14/01/2006 14:37

LM it is a good career move, not in the traditional sense but in that he would be doing something he was more suited to and would therefore be happier. He has a good job in London with the potential to make a lot of money but he is not interested in becoming a partner and what that entails in a city law firm.

OP posts:
Lonelymum · 14/01/2006 14:55

Well, sorry to sound like an old fashioned housewife then, but I would base my decision more on the best career move for dh than on other considerations. (Within reason, of course!) I still can't understand why you can't live half way between the London high life and the Winchester/Southampton job.

What about areas around Basingstoke for instance?

Lonelymum · 14/01/2006 14:55

Sorry, there should have been a at the end of my last post.

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