Split Time between Cornwall and London

[WildQueen]

My parents retired to Cornwall many years ago. Now that they are getting older (80s) they need more help with things. They live in a gorgeous house, that has spare bedrooms or a studio that I can stay in.

I work in finance, and need to be in canary wharf three days a week. My partner and I rent a small flat in zone 1, whilst we decide what to do in terms of buying.

Has anyone lived between the two places? I was thinking of going to Cornwall for 3/4 days every fortnight. I love Cornwall but need to be in London for work, but also love being in the city.

There are regular flights to/from Newquay airport to Gatwick - not sure if the LHR service is still running post Covid. I know plenty of people who get the sleeper train up to London regularly too. Definitely doable but both worth booking in advance as much as practicable as it can be very expensive.

I can't imagine you'd enjoy doing that for any length of time... Too far.

I think it would be fine if you’d be happy to take the train (the drive is a nightmare, especially in tourist season). I live just on the Cornish border in Devon and I commute to London (not as much as I used to pre-COVID). The challenge is the early starts and late commutes home, but you have a flat in London, so you have somewhere to stay. If you don’t have children to consider, I think it sounds ideal (if you don’t mind living with your parents).

I think it sounds fine if you don't have children at home to consider. Are your parents near a train station?

Depends where in Cornwall I think. One of my colleagues does it but is in the Lizard so does three days in London and 11 days in Cornwall.

Where in Cornwall? If near a mainline station, I think it would be fine if you don't mind the 4-5+ hour train journeys.
If too far away from a station, it could be a nightmare.

Name change as outing

My DF did this for years from London to Cornwall. Spent weekends in Cornwall and was away in the week on London. He'd drive from Cornwall to Exeter then get train from there. Because of how slow the train is past Exeter and into Cornwall and it meant he could work on the train.

As pp have said it does depend on where you live in Cornwall. Bodmin is 2hr less of a journey than say Penzance. Especially in the summer