City life versus the Country Living

[PigsinSpace]

I am debating whether we should just move out of London to somewhere nice in the country.

In one way I would miss the lifestyle (having shops so close by, friends a stone's throw away, such a choice of things to do) but in another way, i find it so hectic, the noise, pollution, constant airplanes, parking fines!.

Where is nice to live outside of London. Can anyone convince me to move or would I be mad?

Yes yes anything would help!!!!

Any info appreciated! Can I CAT you? Or CAT me if you want to.

Btw are we doing that meet up soon, it kind of dissolved didn't it?

The teenagers round here seem very happy but we are in a small town with shops, youth club etc. They don't seem to cause much bother. Most kids walk to school the older ones are bused out.

Have never come across the countryside class system and would imagine we'd be on the bottom rung so think we'd notice it.

A lot of people have allotments, and get the bus into work(my dp),cycle or car share so we're very green too.

As to the lack of culture and intellectualism ermmm we do all travel, have cinemas, art galleries, book shops and the like too.

Tis winging its way

Anchovy- you've hit on the one thing that really really gets us- our kids are the darkest around here- my dh dad was Jewish Indian. We miss the ethnic mix dreadfully. We were in Brighton over the easter break, and even there it was such a relief to blend in. It made me very nostalgic actually.

The teenagers here are mixed- there is a hardcore of druggies and drinking; friday night boy racers, regular car smashes involving teenagers. I would say some of them are bored out of their box, and don't have exceedingly high expectations; many of the girls aspire to "hair and beauty" and many have hardly been further than the next town. It is a bit like living in another era; and where we are there's much much less money than in London.

you are not making this easy folks! ITs half and half nearly.

Ok well what about people who live an hour from London or nearabouts. Can you have the best of both worlds then do you think?

"an hour from London"

that is NOT the proper countryside

Yes, an hour from London is a good compromise. If you really want to live in the middle of nowhere though, you need to do it before your kids get to 'going out' age or they really won't thank you.