Hi All
This is a long story so I thank you in advance if you can stick with me for a minute. In the last 18 months I’ve lost both my mum and my 33 year old best friend to cancer. My only other close relative is my sister who lives in Rock Ferry, Wirral. Before my mum died she used to live in London and I miss her terribly. We live in South London and DH’s parents are nearby but spend half the year abroad. We love our house but it’s starting to feel small now that our two children are getting bigger (6&4). There is one bathroom/toilet between us and the third bedroom is tiny. Money is tight for us and we can’t afford to do a loft conversion/extension etc. Just the general cost of living often sends us overdrawn at the end of the month.
Whilst I love my friends and DH’s family dearly, I’ve been starting to seriously think about relocating up to the Wirral to join my sister and her DH. They’ve just bought a house and they’re trying for their first baby, it’s hard to imagine not being around to see my future niece/nephew grow up.
Are there any ex-Londoners on here who have moved to the North West and feel it was the right decision? Apart from my sister we would know absolutely no one. I worry so much about making new friends and feeling isolated, especially after two bereavements.
It’s also the practical aspect of where to move too. We will have a budget of 350k, possibly a bit more for the right house. My sister has recommended we look at Bebington, West Kirby and Heswall. She doesn’t have local school knowledge though. Is there anyone on here who can advise? How does the grammar system work? Do you need to live close to the school or is it simply a case of passing the 11+ to gain a place regardless of where you live?
Where in the Wirral is best for young families? My daughters currently have swimming lessons and do ballet and gymnastics classes. I’d want all this to continue. We’d also like to be a driveable distance to the coast and green spaces but live near some local amenities. I wouldn’t like to drive everywhere so a high street is important. I’d prefer to walk the girls to school too.
There’s just so much to consider. It’s very hard to research an area when you have no local knowledge. I’ve never lived outside of London, not even when I went to university. It’s so hard to know if moving north would be the right thing.
Many thanks if you’ve made it through my ramble. 