Ever moved area, regretted and moved back?

[Rahdera]

What happened? Was it a good decision to move back?
Why did u move in the first place and what was wrong with the area that u found?

[WhatsGoingOnEh]

I haven't, but sone friends of my parents tried to. They left our town - lovely market town in SE England - to move oop narth to live near their daughter and GC.

Didn't like it. Tried to move back but prices had shot up and they couldn't afford to buy here. They had to buy in a cheaper town 15 mins away. They hugely regret moving away in the first place.

[Lostmarblez]

Whats - how long did they stay for and why didn't they like it?

[Cavapoosarebest]

We've just done it. Moved from SE to SW 18 months ago, bought a house, sold it earlier this month and now renting back in the town we moved from. Poorer and wiser.

[lessonsintightropes]

I sort of moved. I lived in London then and do now, but took a job in Newcastle for a couple of years which involved living there for most of the week.

The main reason it didn't take for me was because my DH and I (not married at that point) nearly split up over lack of time together, but for me too, being away from London didn't take.

There are wierd cultural things (in London in my working field, most people work 9.30 - 6 or 7pm, there they all trooped out of the office after 5, trying to get any work done after 5 was impossible; people didn't go straight out from work for a bite to eat and a drink - just went out for a drink having been home for dinner).

These things sound tiny and petty but made me feel like a massive fish out of water. I also find friends in London settled down and had kids a lot later (i.e. late 30s rather than late 20s) and so lifestyles and expectations were different.

Finally, having lived in a v diverse part of London for the best part of a decade, it just felt too white. Not racist or anything at all like that, I'm just used to having a different vibe in my neighbourhood.

[Clobbered]

Moved for DH's job, never felt settled in the new area, moved back as he managed to get a job back home. A few issues with schools and my job to sort out, but never regretted it.

[loraflora]

Moved to coast to buy our first house. DH regretted long car commute and the last straw was after he had a crash. Moved back to an area of London we'd rented in previously but could only afford poky little house. Actually regretted the 2nd move too for quite a while as we missed the space/seaside etc, but going back wasn't practical and got used to it in the end.

[mandy214]

I think it is rarely the area - it is the things that go with a location that make a difference, and to a certain extent, the expectations and willingness to get involved / embrace something different. If new area means less family time / long commute / smaller house / no family / giving up a long standing life etc, those are the factors that make or break a move rather than the move itself if you see what I mean.

And one person's good experience (using lessons post as an example) is another's not so good experience - as a young 20 something, I moved to London and moved out again about 4 years later. I enjoyed my time but knew I wouldn't settle there, lots to do but in my field where I was one of the youngest to be working at the HQ, the vast majority of people I worked with commuted into London. Nobody really hung around after work for socialising, save for the occasional organised drinks. I also found it quite transient and contrary to the expectation of "all embracing London" - that wasn't my experience at all. So its swings and roundabouts I think.