Moving schools for life change?

[ChrisGL1977]

Hi - we have 2 boys aged 5 and 9 and decided to move house to get more space as they get bigger plus we are both spending a lot more time working from home so space has become an issue.

We've got a good offer on our house and had planned to stick in the immediate area. My partners family live 10 mins away although mine are down in Devon.

We've really struggled to find the house we need in our budget and are now thinking of looking further afield into Surrey. This could be an opportunity to make a move out of M25, into a more rural environment which really appeals (I'm from Devon after all).

We've seen a house in Godalming that would be perfect for us and at price we can afford. But it would mean uprooting the kids to new schools.

Trying to decide if it's right to create that upheaval when we don't 100% HAVE to make the move - it's just desirable and gives us right house in a lovely location. Further away from family but only by about half an hour.

Has anyone done similar? Are we being unfair on the kids? Funnily enough our eldest really likes the house we've seen and wants to make the move but it's all abstract so I suspect when the reality of switching schools and friends hits it will become harder.

At those ages it is absolutely, completely fine.

Overall quality of life is far more important. If the moves give you/them that then go for it.

Just check schools, particularly high schools in the area first so you know there is good provision there too.

The 9yr old will transition to secondary in a few years which is likely to disrupt friendships as they either go to different schools and make new friends or they go to the same school but find new friends. I would though look at secondary options as the top priority in terms of choosing a new location.

I think those are fine ages for moving school but I would think carefully about rural life with teenagers.

I wouldn't move after year 8 unless necessary but see no problem before then.