Moving Home: Meeting new people.

[Livelife2024]

Hi,

I've never posted on here before but I feel as though a neutral perspective is needed.

I am a sole parent living in London with a 10 year old. I have a good network of family and friends around me. I studied hard to get my degree which has enabled me to get a descent paying job and be in a better position financially but not enough to say get a mortgage on my own.

However, for many years I have felt like I'm just going through the motions in London. I've lived here all my life and though the opportunities and vast choices make it a great place to live it's starting to grind me down. I feel like I'm just existing not living! Just going through the motions.

My daughter however is thriving here. She loves the lifestyle, her friends, clubs and her school. She is moving to secondary school next year and is excited for it.

I have been given an opportunity to move to Leeds to a house with a garden and much more space. It's half hour from town on a bus 15 mins by car. Rent is much cheaper too. I will not do anything until my daughters finishes primary. But I'm petrified that we will know no-one, leave our support network behind and be more miserable.
There is the thought of starting all over again for me and my daughter, new school, job, friends etc. However, I feel this may be a good opportunity for both of us. I plan to go to Leeds, look at schools and just sus everything out b4 I make a decision. But it is overwhelming and coming back to London may not be an option straight away. It would be a big leap!

My worse fear is that my daughter will hate it, and it will affect how happy she is and she is very happy right now. So I feel selfish for me feeling this way! And even considering to leave.

I just wanted to know if anyone has gone/going through anything similar? I guess I just need a listening ear that is impartial. Am I crazy to swap homes and go to a city I've never been too? It seems to give me the best of both worlds a bit of hustle and bustle then close to greenary and a huge park which I love.

Any one relate? / What to do? :-)

One point to think about is that you say you wouldn't move until she finishes Primary, but you have to be living at the address you are applying to secondary schools from, at the time of application.

I know this isn't what you asked, but if I were moving, I'd go now, rather than risk not getting a secondary place, or not starting secondary in September at the start of Year 7, when everyone else is new, too.

I'm also a bit confused about how you have been offered the house, but are saying you will postpone the move - won't the house have then gone ?

Can your job transfer to Leeds? Or would you be job hunting ?

I think your dd starting secondary in a new place will be fine, and people all move together and there are lots of new friendships formed in Yr7. Obviously if she then joins Scouts of Guides or a football team or a dance group or whatever she enjoys, that gives other opportunities too. It is sometimes a bit harder for adults, particularly as she will be too young to leave on her own for a while, but only you know if you are the sort of person to make the effort to become part of life up there.