If you left London, where did you go and why?

[TheBeesKnee]

Currently living in a 2.5 bed starter terrace watching interest rates rise with horror. We've been here 4 years and when we bought the house I thought we'd stay for c.5 years and then move somewhere bigger.

The location is decent (south London), I love how accessible everything is from where we live, but I'd like another child eventually and I don't want one to end up sleeping in a glorified closet. I've looked into going into the loft but realistically we'd either end up with one okay sized bedroom up there or a small bedroom with a tiny shower/toilet - and I'm not sure if it's worth the cost and hassle.

DP and I always discuss leaving London and moving somewhere nice, but the problem is that anywhere nice seems to be just as expensive but less well-connected with less going on.

So I'd like to hear from others who took the plunge: where did you move to, how did you adapt, do you have any regrets or advice?

Tia!

You can buy too in Bath at that level by the way but will be ex council or 70s type terrace. This is a lovely cottage though in village just outside Bath on a good bus route and 5 to 10 minutes drive in

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/137809034

Moved to North Herts - it was very safe but very dull - I met some good friends there but they mostly feel like I do - we miss city living. Kids are done with school now and we are finding our way back to a city before we die (of boredom).

East Kent coast. Big skies and sandy beaches, plus thriving arts scene. And if I need a London fix it's just over an hour away.

We did look at Glasgow as well, as dh is Scottish, but I'm not quite ready to handle the rain yet!

Winchester. I still commute to London twice a week and DH once.

We decided to move when we reached the point where we were spending every weekend travelling out of London to do nice things then schlepping back in on a Sunday night. It just seemed the right time to tip the balance the other way.

No regrets whatsoever. The kids love it here, we've got more space, we're near the beach, the South Downs, the New Forest and still within easy reach of London. Good state schools here too.

North Oxfordshire near Warwickshire border. Absolutely beautiful countryside, close to Cotswolds, fast train in to Oxford or Marylebone (from Banbury). 400k would get you something pretty nice if not flashy.

Most of my friends and family have moved out but kept jobs in London so most haven't gone far. Sutton, Warlingham, sanderstead, etc. A few have gone further afield - Winchester, Petersfield, bath, north Essex.

but after a while it feels claustrophobic and I want to come back to Cornwall for the fields, quiet lanes

I think you have hit the nail on the head for me @Cornishclio. I live in a village in South Yorkshire. We are surrounded by fields, yet have easy access to Leeds and Sheffield. The crowded trains simply made me appreciate where I live so much more.

I moved to the South Wales coast. I was in my early 30s and could not afford to buy a home in London on a single salary. That was over 20 years ago and I still don’t know if I did the right thing!

Left North London and bought a house in a lovely part of Hertfordshire. Hated the quiet life after 4 years and came back. I found it boring and knowing everyone was stifling. I love being anonymous in London, and just the free stuff to do with children is endless. We spend endless hours in the different parks and have museums and galleries on our doorstep.
Town mouse country mouse! My only tip is rent your place in London and try a place you want to move to as a trial on case you don't like it. It saved us!

Bath.
No regrets, it’s brilliant. Although almost just as expensive property-wise.

Initially to Bristol, then quickly moved out to a more rural location about 10 miles outside Bristol. We both work in Bristol, and need to get to London regularly, which is very straightforward. We both grew up in villages, and were keen to do the same when we started our family. Before meeting my DH, I actually planned to live in Bath one day, so I'm not too far!

@Muminthewest hello neighbour! I agree , only downside here is it's pricey!

Stroud two years ago. Best move!

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/136994465#/?channel=RES_BUY

Initially to Bristol when it was still cheap. Then when I couldn’t afford to upgrade, moved to a lovely area in South Wales and am very settled and happy. Lovely house, good schools, easy access to lovely parks and beaches etc. I still love London and frequently visit for weekends but I’d find it too busy for longer than that now.

This is an excellent idea and might give us the nudge we need. Selling up feels very permanent and I'm acutely aware that we were very lucky to buy our house for the price we did in the first place.

OP- the questions I have are (sorry if I missed this): Do either of you need to commute into London for work? If so, how often and which main line station do you need to get to?

Do you have friends/family anywhere in particular that you'd like to be within 15/30/60mins drive from etc???

After 20+yrs living between zone 1-2, DH and I made the move out to the Suffolk/North Essex border. 15min walk to the sea to run the dog and enjoy the fresh air, I love seeing birds and wildlife in the garden and hearing nothing! No traffic noise, no drunks and no longer finding black soot on my windsills every morning!

Just spent 20 mins scrolling through Rightmove. Realistically, anything decent is at least half a mili 🙃

@TheBeesKnee it is yes- that's why I popped you over ones I thought were not bad in Frome and Stroud as it's cheaper but not that far away- we live in Bath but go to both -

Mind you it's half a million in lots of areas these days , not just here.

Staffordshire.

Both of us work remotely so commute not an issue. DP travels into London once a month for a meeting and the train takes 1hr 45mins.

Property is good value for money; way bigger than anything we could afford in London. There's plenty of countryside and its a great place to raise young kids because it has the space for various farms / outdoors activities and sports / fantastic parks etc. Schools are rated excellent / good by Ofsted. Streets are way safer than london. And the air quality isn't completely toxic.

Changed name but Brighton as above! You probably won't get anything better here than where you are for 400K but if you like the south coast Worthing may be worth looking at. I read somewhere this week it's quite an up and coming town these days and I liked it the few times I've been there! I live on the fringes of Brighton and love being by the sea and the south downs- it's easy to get in and out for a night out and despite all the flack it comes in for ( mostly justified) I love it here.

South coast. I love being by the sea! The tourists are a pain in the arse in summer but in winter it’s lovely!

It’s a good question but a very difficult one. I have visited every part of UK and would say Barnes or Richmond in London is fantastic. Ignoring traffic 😀 I def would not move too rural - just driving everywhere is horrid and you feel isolated. I like a busy high st and cafe culture. This sounds lame but if you like that cafe culture search where Gail’s are opening - a good measure for these things. I’d probably move out UK if I could - australia was amazing - so safe, great food and the lifestyle incredible but I couldn’t get away from fact all my family in UK. It’s like starting a whole new life without a family. Spain, Portugal etc also amazing if you get an EU visa. For me UK is just meh. Wet, terrible government, lack of drive or ambition, eveythhing v run down…leisure centres, GPS, hospitals, high streets etc I like it but don’t love anywhere.

I moved to rural West Berkshire, nearest town was Newbury.

I'd lived in London since 18 and left at 27. London and I had never got on. I was horrendously lonely, didn't make a single friend, hated the crowds and pollution and noise so it was a relief to leave. I go back for single days at a time but no more.

Once out of London, I have lived in proper communities where people speak to their neighbours, are friendly and sociable, and not just obsessed with things.

I've had five homes since (30 years) and every one has been happier and friendlier, so I don't think you can lose.

I love Glasgow; the parks, the museums, the history, the arty vibe and the sandstone tenements. It's just the weather that stops me escaping there. For me, we made it as far as the Chilterns. Not quite the buzz of Glasgow but beautiful still.

I hear you