Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Other subjects
Original poster

Hicksville > London ... right or wrong?

465 replies

spacemonkey · 27/04/2004 17:36

Rather than hijack the other thread, I'll start one of my own.

I'm thinking about moving to London from the provincial town where I now live. My children are nearly 13 (dd) and 10 (ds), so if we moved in the summer ds would start Year 6 at a new primary school and dd would start Year 9 at a new secondary school. They'll both be going to state schools.

I don't like the idea of uprooting them, BUT there are lots of good reasons for the move, for them as well as me.

We're looking at moving into Camden LEA, and I am told the schools are very good. I also think as the children get older there will be many more opportunities for them educationally and socially in London. My sister and brother both live in north London and I would dearly love to be nearer to them, and so would the kids. Plus my mum wants to move in with us on a trial basis - she is very close to the children and more importantly is very good for them, and would be my general factotum in terms of childcare.

And of course the work opportunities for me would be stratospherically better than they are where I now am.

I'd like to hear from anyone who has made a big move with kids at a similar age, and what impact it had on them. Of course a lot comes down to personality, and I know it would be hard for them to adjust at first, but any advice or experience would be most welcome.

Thanks!

OP posts:
suzywong · 06/06/2004 00:40

not manner!
Where's tech2 to help you delete foolish typos when you need her?

Original poster
spacemonkey · 06/06/2004 00:44

fnar fnar

OP posts:
Davros · 06/06/2004 00:56

SM, pleased its all come good in the end. The house looks lovely. This is one of the great things about London imo, that even the poshest areas get some council and housing assoc etc properties mixed in. My own road, for example (yawn!) is mostly middle class, lots of (what used to be called) Yuppies in flats, American banker types and Bengali family, Somali families, minor celeb over the road, kids, old folk (my neighbour is over 80 ad has lived here for about 60 yrs!) etc etc...... oh and us, the hippest most interesting occupants, ho ho! Just hope it all goes through and we can all bring round some grog to celebrate!

hoxtonchick · 06/06/2004 03:17

SM it looks fantastic!

Original poster
spacemonkey · 06/06/2004 17:54

I have an appointment with my ex husband at 4pm to tell him the news. I spoke to him about it at the beginning because I thought it was only fair to inform him that I was thinking about making this move, and his reaction was typically mature - he stormed off and refused to talk to me for a fortnight!

Not sure how he will react today, but have arranged to meet him in a public place so hopefully this will prevent him from ranting and raving ...

OP posts:
Original poster
spacemonkey · 06/06/2004 22:17

Ex husband was unbelievably understanding and reasonable. Most out of character! We are both mulling over the various options for care of the kids and are meeting again same time next week. What a relief, I was cacking myself about telling him.

OP posts:
maomao · 06/06/2004 22:32

It really is all coming together, isn't it?

Original poster
spacemonkey · 06/06/2004 23:01

it does seem to be coming together yes

the islington people could pull out, which would be extremely disappointing but i'll live if that happens

I had massively cold feet over the weekend but today I feel really happy about it!

OP posts:
DelGirl · 06/06/2004 23:12

The house looks really lovely SM. Has your mum seen a picture yet? This may cheer her up a bit. How is she by the way, not seen her on MSN lately?

Original poster
spacemonkey · 06/06/2004 23:14

Helloooo DelGirl

Yes she has seen a pic, and yes it does seem to be cheering her up! She's on an economy drive, so is minimising her internet time at the mo ...

How are things with you?

OP posts:
DelGirl · 06/06/2004 23:21

I'd love to be able to say truly wonderful but I'd be lying. I'm ok thanks, the house looks really great and would love to come and see it once you're settled in. I bet the place will be constantly filled with friends and family, won't it? Just think of all the parties you could have!!! Ooh, and probably just minutes from my bro's too.

Original poster
spacemonkey · 06/06/2004 23:37

it's only 20 mins walk from your bro!

sorry to hear things aren't too good with you, i didn't really expect you to say you felt brilliant though

OP posts:
Original poster
spacemonkey · 08/06/2004 00:07

cripes, the islington people want to move last week of july!

OP posts:
kid · 08/06/2004 00:43

I'm in the process of transfering too so I've been reading this thread. I hope it all works out for you, the house looks amazing. I bet it is a nerve racking time for you with moving a long distance. My new place is only about 3 streets away and I'm still panicking! The latest I should hear about my move is 2nd July but I'm going to phone the council up and bug them before that!

Original poster
spacemonkey · 08/06/2004 01:11

yes, it's always a good idea to hassle them for progress reports kid!

i've done this once before, and it is quite nerve wracking because it involves a lot of trust between the people doing the exchange doesn't it?

OP posts:
kid · 08/06/2004 01:29

The lady I am exchanging with has said that other people have phoned her since she agreed with me asking for her to still go and view their place as she can always change her mind! Thats not very fair on me! But she needs to move ASAP so I'm keeping my fingers crossed until those papers are signed!

Original poster
spacemonkey · 13/06/2004 15:19

How's it going kid?

We have completed and returned our forms and I've booked my removal men for 23rd July. Maybe jumping the gun but I don't like leaving it til the last minute!

OP posts:
Crunchie · 13/06/2004 15:45

SM you lucky sod I am so jealous. No more zoo trips for you then!!

Original poster
spacemonkey · 13/06/2004 16:54

oh i'll still come back to see the elephants!

would you rather be in london then crunchie, given the choice?

OP posts:
Crunchie · 13/06/2004 17:13

No !!!

I moved from London to Hicksville to have the kids

Davros · 13/06/2004 20:55

Maybe you 2 should work out a timeshare so you can get the best of both worlds.... oh, and do a kid exchange at the same time

kid · 14/06/2004 20:55

Still haven't heard from the coucnil, been 3 weeks tomorrow since I handed the forms in. A phone call needed tomorrow I think to remind them who I am! I had to send another form back to the HA which I posted on Tuesday so I wonder when I'll hear from them? I just want a date! I haven't even begun to think of how much I'll have to organise, even if we are only moving a few streets away!

kid · 15/06/2004 15:14

can you believe it. I phoned the council and they think they have lost my forms. If they don't show up by Monday then I need to fill out a new form. They said they have up to 42 days to complete a transfer and as I will be handed in a new form they will have 42 days from when that form is handed in. So why have I been waiting around for 21 days already?

CountessDracula · 15/06/2004 15:21

God how annoying

Spacemonkey I cannot believe that house, must be worth at least a million quid!! My nanny has been looking for a swap for ages and hasn't been offered anything let alone something like that, how on earth did you do it? Is your country house a queen anne pile???

How is it going?

Original poster
spacemonkey · 20/06/2004 01:04

grr kid! I find the best policy with councils is hassle hassle hassle until they are sick to death of you!

CD it's not worth a million quid! There's one for sale a few doors down for £630K though

I found it on this site - it's my 2nd exchange through them, can't recommend it highly enough

OP posts: