Moving back to London

[solomonrulesok]

Has anyone done it? Any regrets? Why did you move back?
I really want to move back but haven't yet as there are a number of issues...

1. We don't actually have many friends left in London. The ones that are there are in SW though we prefer N. That said, our friends are dotted all over the place. I find it hard making friends so am a bit scared to start again.
2. Just bringing up kids in London. I would feel v guilty and selfish. I feel I ought to bring them up in the country. I know all the benefits of living in London but my head says pollution, crime, lack of open space, issues at secondary. Everyone moves out when they have kids don't they!? (However sometimes my other head says yes but! They are going to be so bored where you live now when they are teenagers and they will get so many more cultural opportunities in London and the parks are amazing. Plus I just think I would hopefully meet more likeminded friends and then I would be happier.)
3. My big guilt is rocking the boat. And also I'm feeling so knackered and quite depressed I'm not sure I can actually deal with a big move back! Have to do school applications from this Sept. we will get into a lovely infant school where we know a few other kids. Preschool set up for this sept. Lovely carers. We would be going through looking into all that all over again and I'm not sure I'm up to it.
4. Not knowing where in London to go. Would have healthy budget of 1.5m. Need to be near the city. Love N London and what I know, though don't actually know anyone there anymore so a bit scary doing that? Would need to be near green space as I have got used to it and also the guilt thing of bringing up kids in London.
5. Wondering whether I just haven't found the right place outside of London or whether there is another option like moving further out and getting a tiny flat in London so feel like still have a foot there (and can move back when kids grown up!!) But feel nervous doing that too due to all of above. Basically don't know where May suit is better or whether it would be a case of grass is greener and I'd still be miserable!! I thought I wanted to leave when had kids but have missed it every day for 3.5 years. I am trying to think of all the great things about where I live but there is always an underlying panic that I'm going to be here until the kids leave home. I know if we had family nearby it would be a no brainer. We don't so there is no pull anywhere. I get confused as I don't know London with kids. My life is obviously very different now so I'm not sure if moving back would make it all infinitely rosier or I just struggle with being a mother and all the kids of freedom. I equate London with my lovely carefree life I guess.

Hi,
Did you move? I found your thread as am thinking the exact same thing. I am not in the same position as you, cash is not flowing but some of the reason this is the case is the commute which has forced me as a single mother not keen on 12 hour childcare, to try almost every local and home based job going. I am really fed up of trying to find like minded people, admittedly I am very open minded educated and querky so thats probably the reason but in London I felt I was in my tribe. That was ten long years ago and admittedly for five years I loved being Mummy and being home based, but now I am finding my feet again, have done a lot of self improvement and am less inclined to listen to my mother who thinks it would be disgusting to take a child in to london and more focussed on my own feelings. I like you am concerned that I am hankering after my youth, pollution, lack of green space and I do know that Amersham is a really sought after area... and that people are moving out...but then I read articles of people living there and feel such jealousy.. even friends and there's not getting away from it we'd be in a flat.
I am considering the wrong side of the tracks and Hornsey Girls which would be possible as they liked us, and maybe later move over with some actual funds from a london wage... for starters... just afraid of making a mistake too. Also in one ear thinking better to make mistakes than not make a decision at all and regret. We can after all change our minds again can't we. No child died having open minded exploratative parents and right no I feel suffocated by narrow minded middle class.... or am I just being silly?
Love to hear how you got on?