Torn between sticking in SW London or moving to Dorset (Child Okeford)

9 replies

kittybloom · 13/04/2011 21:28

I'm currently living in SW London with DH and DS (2 tomorrow!) plus dog. Life is pretty much sorted as it can be, house fine, love our area, loads of friends, family in London, childcare great and my job is going well.

We've always had links to Dorset and had planned to move here when DS was around 7 with the aim to earn as much beforehand and enjoy all the support network which London has given us whilst DS was young.

This week we've been on holiday in Dorset and had the most amazing time. On a whim we went to look at a house in a village we like, Child Okeford. We totally fell in love the house, it is exactly what we want. DH very keen (partly because he is freelance and not working at the moment) but whilst I love the house and know places don't come up which we would consider in Dorset very often, the thought of disrupting our lives when it finally feels like it is on an even keel is putting me off. I'm worried I won't fit into village life from London and then we will be stuck there. Also I don't know how we will make friends. I would also have to commute back to London 2 days a week which would be tiring.

So has anyone made the big country move? Any tips? Anyone from the area able to recommend what young families do in the area? Also, what schools should I consider? Ideally we would to do state for primary and then private for secondary but we would consider private for primary too.

Thanks!

OP posts:

redshoes · 14/04/2011 20:18

bumping for you

Earlybird · 14/04/2011 20:24

Would your 'links to Dorset' help you settle into the area?

What would it do to your daily routine in Dorset when your freelance dh begins working - especially as it relates to your ds?

Do you hope/plan to have more dc?

midnightexpress · 14/04/2011 20:31

If you intend to do it at some point I'd imaigne it might be easier for your dc to do it while they are still v young than later once they are settled at school and you have your school parent friends.

mamatomany · 14/04/2011 20:56

I agree move before he starts primary school not after.

Original poster

kittybloom · 14/04/2011 21:12

Thanks, I hadn't thought about it from DS's point of view and I guess there is something for taking the leap now.

OP posts:

Grockle · 15/04/2011 20:51

Yep, move before he starts school. I'm in Dorset and have family in that general area. I wouldn't live anywhere else - we moved here 2 years ago and love it. DS is 5 - we go walking, play on the beach, walk in the Forest. Village lie can be quiet and a bit isolating. Young families in my mum's village tend to move away to larger towns so that they don't have to drive anywhere.

midnightexpress · 15/04/2011 21:35

The other advantage of moving now would be that you have the luxury of time to look into schools and associated areas to live. It's right old PITA once they start school, getting school places organised when you don't have an address in the catchment yet, etc etc. Much easier to actually be living in the catchement area when the time comes, IMO. It seems like ages away when your LO is only 2 but it'll fly by!

mamatomany · 15/04/2011 21:42

Are you in Dorset midnightexpress ?

It's on my list of possibilities because I like the Thomas Hardye school, is it difficult to get into and which schools would you say feed into it ?
Many thanks

midnightexpress · 15/04/2011 21:44

Sorry, no, I'm in Scotland so right at the other end of the country. But we're vaguely looking at relocating back down south, and it's a complete pain, now that the DC are in school.

Dorset is lovely though!

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