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Original poster

Should we have moved out of London?

37 replies

yummymumtobe · 12/12/2012 16:49

We are about to complete on buying a house (too late to back out now!) and I am so worried we have done the wrong thing. The house in in wimbledon park which is a lovely area - park, loads of families, nice shops and cafes, nice primaries, but still only 15 mins into Waterloo! I work part time in central London and so wanted a really easy commute as I am not a super mum - need to keep things as simple as possible hence wanting to live somewhere which means hubbie gets home at a decent hour, my commute is great and we're near family.
So it all sounds perfect and that is why we chose it, but it seems like every other mum I meet is moving out of London. So I feel so doubtful - we thought it seemed like a great place to live but everyone else seems to think that once you have a baby it's time to move to Guildford! Have we made the wrong choice? Will we regret it in a year and wish we were out of London? Would be interested to know if anyone is in the same boat...worried that we have now tied ourselves into a house and will suddenly realise that we should have left london too.

OP posts:

Lulabellarama · 12/12/2012 16:53

I moved out of London 6 months ago and currently miss it like crazy.
So whatever you do there will be upsides and downsides. Where we are now is lovely, but I love the buzz of London, even out in the suburbs.

Chottie · 12/12/2012 16:55

I wouldn't worry. It sounds like you have chosen a lovely family to suit you and your family. Good luck and much happiness in your new home .

GoldQuintessenceAndMyhrr · 12/12/2012 16:57

No, it is a lovely area. Good choice.

SunnyUpNorth · 12/12/2012 17:00

I moved out of London just under a year ago, and love it. But we moved up north so not to a London commuter suburb, and the main reason was to be near family and to be able to afford a nice house in a nice area.

I think most people with kids move out of London through necessity as very few can afford a decent sized family house in a nice area.

It sounds like you've chosen a lovely area that will work for your family life balance. I don't think you'll regret it all and I think that area is probably quite stable as a community with it not being right in the heart of London. So hopefully you'll be able to make lasting friendships through the kids.

So don't worry at all, most people would do what you have done if they could afford it. Good luck, hope you'll be very happy.

forevergreek · 12/12/2012 17:03

We chose to stay and have smaller accomadation as we didn't want he long commute. I think London is a great place for kids ( we are further central than Wimbledon to)

eccentrica · 12/12/2012 17:04

I was born and grew up in London and am now raising my daughter here, having lived away for 8 years. I wouldn't want to raise a child anywhere else :-)

No, we don't have much space (and probably never will) but there is so much you get growing up here that you don't get anywhere else. There is so much to do and so much of it free. You meet every type of person, learn to look after yourself, and learn so much about the world.

I think the only thing you really miss is the seaside - that's the only reason I'd consider going elsewhere. But not to live in a town somewhere in the home counties!

eccentrica · 12/12/2012 17:05

P.S. Also my parents and all of my family are here and I think that's really important for kids too.

Original poster

yummymumtobe · 12/12/2012 17:09

Thanks everyone so far- I grew up in Surrey which is one of the reasons we had decided against it. I lived in weybridge and didn't want to go back there as my daughter would probably go to the same school as me, same brownies, same parks and everything. But now I just feel like everyone I meet is talking about moving there or Guildford!

OP posts:

Blu · 12/12/2012 17:13

Your situation sounds ideal! Why would you want to spend a load more time and money on a commute? When both parents work commuting creates extra childcare issues too.

eccentrica · 12/12/2012 17:13

yummy I am actually taking my daughter to lots of the same places I went to growing up, and it is weird!

jennycrofter · 12/12/2012 17:15

We moved away 3 years ago, and are now planning a move back. The area you've chosen is really similar to where were/are going back to, and a great compromise between being "in town" and a little bit out.

Good luck with the move!

Original poster

yummymumtobe · 12/12/2012 17:24

Thanks Jenny - did you move to the home countes? I think it's just that we haven't lived here that long (been renting a year having moved from north London to be closer to work/family) and so I am still meeting new friends, but my new friends all seem to be planning to move away. I guess that is one of the issues with London!

OP posts:

JassyRadlett · 12/12/2012 17:34

I know lots and lots of people with kids who live in W Park and love it. Moving further out to a commuter town I'm honestly not sure what you're gaining except a longer commute? And you lose a lot.

I'm in Surbiton (16 mins to Waterloo) and while not as London as W Park it still feels like part of the capital, just. And I have as good a commute as I could hope for so I can work fairly normal hours.

specialsubject · 12/12/2012 18:03

where's the problem? It has been mentioned elsewhere here that bringing up kids in London is not actually child abuse, and where you are going sounds great, both generally and for your situation.

if you have the urge to go to Guildford you can always get on the train. :-)

notcitrus · 12/12/2012 18:18

Wimbledon Park is lovely, and practically out of London anyway!
I'd happily live there - whereas I grew up near Weybridge and you couldn't pay me to live in Surrey! I can visit family in under an hour, though.

swlmum · 12/12/2012 18:23

I live not far from you and although a few people have moved away most have stayed/ are staying especially once kids are settled in primary school etc. SW London is great- managed to fit in a trip to the Science Museum and a walk round Richmond Park today all before school pick-up. You couldn't do that from Guildford!

tethersjinglebellend · 12/12/2012 18:31

I moved to Hertfordshire from London when DD1 was born.

6 months later we moved back

Woodlands · 12/12/2012 18:45

I'm in a similar position but it's the right decision for us, ithink. I keep talking to people who moved back after six months! I don't fancy being a taxi service for my children! Plus even though we don't get outmuch to the theatre etc it's reassuring to know they a're there...

AfterEightMintyy · 12/12/2012 18:49

Wimbledon Park - what postcode is that?

forevergreek · 12/12/2012 19:30

we live v central (walk to hyde park). we have a smaller flat but there is so much to do and i think our life is better here. we actually have more space imo that others in unheard of towns, as we have great parks everywhere. holland park has peacocks and koi ponds, hyde park has space, and ducks, boats, parks, pop up events. the museums are on our doorstep, commute is walkable, transport is fantastic, the culture, diversity etc etc.. if we ever moved it wouldnt be due to not bringing children up here.

AfterEightMintyy · 12/12/2012 19:33

I would live in central central London like a shot if I had the money forevergreek

PeppermintonCandyCane · 12/12/2012 19:42

I think it sounds perfect. We moved to the south coast after DC1 arrived, and moved back when DC3 was 1, and I'm glad we did. We are within the M25 and 30 minutes from Waterloo, so easy to get up to town.

As the DC get a bit older they'll be able to get around using public transport, and DH and I can do the stuff that's in 'Time Out' instead of just reading about it nostalgically.

MarshaBrady · 12/12/2012 19:46

I think you've made the right decision too. It will settle down when school starts and people won't be hot footing it out of your area so much.

Original poster

yummymumtobe · 12/12/2012 19:57

Thanks everyone. Makes me feel better. Having kids is such a responsibility you sort of feel they are being short-changed in London and that you should be letting them grow up in a nice quiet cul de sac in the burbs!

OP posts:

forevergreek · 12/12/2012 20:00

we can afford it as we live in a sardine can :)

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