Moved to suburbs and hate it

[AmhrannaMara]

I live in a small city (previously lived in London) and until a few months ago we'd be renting in a buzzy row of terraces closeish to the city centre.

We have bought a house that's further out, in a more suburban area. We bought this house because it was the best we could afford and had a nice garden for our daughter. It's our first home.

On the map and on visits it didn't feel too far. But it is in reality. Its deathly quiet here, and 15-20 minute walk to the nearest shop. We don't drive so we're cycling everywhere.

I'm not sure what I'm saying really. We regret moving here, it feels quiet, lonely and inconvenient. We're both city people and this was a mistake made in a rush.

Has anyone else moved to the suburbs and grown to like it?

Can you think of the 25 min walks as your way of the whole family, keeping fit and healthy. Walking is really good for you and much better than hopping into a car. Thinking of it like that may change your whole mindset.

I would give it a few months or so. I used to live in a suburban area of a town on the south west. I found it noisy and cramped, I never felt safe.

We now live several miles from the nearest neighbor and over an hour to the nearest village. DH, DC and I love it. The longest we have gone without contacting the outside world is 9 months.

I’m from NI and am at not being able to drive but that’s also because I grew up 25 miles from a train station. The first time I was on a train, I was 18. Most people learnt to drive at 17 out of necessity.

Being out of the city centre will hopefully be more appealing when your DD is a bit older and has a garden to play in with friends, swings etc rather than having to go to the park.

TakeAChance i left NI when I was 18, only just moved back! I didn't need to drive in London.

@AmhrannaMara ah makes sense! A friend of mine (from Scotland, not NI) can legally get in a car and drive as he passed his test at 17 but hasn’t driven since! We live in a city with great public transport and his family live near a train station.

If you’re in suburbia, do you have lots of neighbours? Good for friendships and sharing lifts/babysitting etc

Hi can i ask, what did you decide to do in the end? I'm feeling sad after making a similar mistake move. Moved from london to village in southampton a few weeks ago and...omg

I think lots of people find moving away from London & all it offers a shock, but think about what you can afford where you are and what you’d get in London and you might grow to love your home! I say this having lived in C London for around 20 years without a car

Its early days - driving and running a cheap car is v inexpensive compared to moving and would open up your horizons. Maybe focus on that & getting to know people locally (neighbours, kids groups etc)

I love the v outer London suburb I live in: green space, a garden, lack of city aggro/stress and pollution are things I’m grateful for every day. I started driving in the pandemic and think I’d find life v v limited here otherwise

i see I’ve just replied the a ZOMBIE thread - hope the OP did learn to drive …

Can understand. Join as many groups and make as many connections you can in the area and give it a bit of time. Try and just to put some roots down and not think too much of the negatives. Try not to feel trapped, when the time is right you will be able to move if you still want to.

You're definitely not better off renting, as that's just money down the drain. Where you are, esp if it's a 'nice' area, should hold its value and you're building up equity. When you do move, you will not have to find quite as much money to do it with.