Post pandemic opportunity -relocation

[RosieLeaLovesTea]

Hi all
Currently post pandemic have the opportunity for hybrid working 1-2 days a week in office. We are thinking about relocating 60 miles away to the Dorset area. I will need to travel at least one day a week possibly 2. Has anyone done this?

Navigating school places in the first year will be tricky. One yr place is in an inadequate school. But hoping we can get on a waiting list to move. Year 3 places - the closest is 6 miles away. But LA will assist with transport if over 2 miles.

Positives of move - lovely area, close to beaches/Jurassic coast, detached house, double garage, 4 double bedrooms.

Negatives- small garden, travel to work when needed, school changes, would need to buy a second car

We are moving away from the city so would be a change of pace but the area feels very safe for our kids as they grow.

Would you go for it?

Whereabouts in Dorset are you looking?

On the journey, the key question is time rather than distance. I'd feel ok with a 90 minute each way journey two days a week, but wouldn't fancy 150 minutes.

The school thing would kill it for me given how much disruption there's been already to their education over the past couple of years. A 60 mile commute by car means that unless your partner can guarantee to be there you need proper childcare for those days.

I'm commuting that distance by train 1-2 days a week and it's a total ballache. Wrap around care finishes at 5.30 so I haven't a hope of being home by then. So before and after school care is needed but not enough days a week to make it worth anyone's while.

By all means move further out for more space but that's a tricky distance with two still quite young children.

Thanks all - it is a lot to weigh up. We are Looking at Dorchester.

@TheFoldOx

On the journey, the key question is time rather than distance. I'd feel ok with a 90 minute each way journey two days a week, but wouldn't fancy 150 minutes.

To be honest if the OP is working in London she could already/previously have/had have a 90-minute commute. I did south London to West London (zone 6 to zone 2) for a while and it was 90 minutes however you did it by public transport, and that's if everything went to plan. Slightly less by car.