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!

Not me but my DH moved from London to Glasgow over 20 years ago to attend university here. He says he doesn't miss London at all. We love to visit to meet up with his old school friends and family but he always says he's glad to get back to Scotland after it.
He says he prefers the air here, the greenery, the fact we have a city centre 10 minutes away in one direction and sprawling countryside 10 minutes away in the other direction, 35 minutes drive from the seaside as well, the clearer soft water, the humour and the beauty of seeing mountains from our front garden (albeit they're a distance away but we do see them!) 24hr Asda & Tesco a short walk away... These are all the things he listed as what he loves about where we live, just south of Glasgow and adds that he'd never want to live anywhere else.
For what it's worth I love both London and Glasgow pretty equally but agree with him that it would be stupidly expensive to live in London, our whole 3 bed house cost under £100K (albeit 10 years ago) so it's also notably cheaper to live here too.

I moved back to Margate, which wasn't quite as trendy then, so property was cheap. London was only a short drive or train trip away, too.

In the end, I moved further north, where we could afford a large house and garden in a village, enjoying quiet roads, good air quality, masses of woodland and good uncrowded schools.
Where we are it's not too far to travel to any one of four cities for culture and shopping etc.

Tried the Cotswolds but got fed up with driving everywhere and the narrow roads. Wasn't a particularly chocolate box village either although there were some really nice neighbours.
Perhaps it's just my experience but I don't get the London unfriendly thing. The last road I lived in there was very social, parties with a good mix of ages. But what's stuck in my mind was I think last year a very sunny Bank Holiday. Went for a wander round a street I used to live in, not the last address. Had a nice chat with two ladies I can't remember speaking to when I lived there but we recognised one another. Also recognised in the hairdressers at the end of the road.

Essex.
It's close enough to get into London if you need to and it has everything. Beautiful quiet villages, busy towns, seaside, shopping, countryside, lots to do.
Brentwood, Loughton etc is Towieland and Romford, Basildon areas are rough but the areas surrounding Chelmsford and outside of Colchester are great.

@thisisasurvivor sorry to hear what you went through! Its tough but you're safe now, God bless you and your baby.

I left London and moved back to a town in Hampshire, now looking at Berkshire. I have 6 kids and there is no way I would raise them in South London. Happy where we are and I do miss London but its not far away but hectic with all kids for a day out so we just end up doing things local like soft plays, farms and adventure parks, library. London there is a big variety but its so busy and chaotic!

Following with interest. I have some big life events coming up and need to get away from the capital. The only reason we're staying is for DD's education. Once she's left home we're off.

The outskirts of Glasgow! We moved here a few months ago and we are so glad we finally made the move. We have a lovely house that works better for our family, a lovely area - close to shops and amenities when we need them but also 5 mins away from beautiful countryside so the best of both worlds.. The air is so much cleaner here. We had just started to fall out of love with London (I had lived there for 23 years!) and it was starting to feel quite lonely particularly after lockdown. No regrets!

Left London in 1990, two years after my boyfriend (now DH) moved back to the UK. Didn't enjoy the urban sprawl of London after living in NYC.

Moved to rural Sussex. When I met DH he was based there as he had kids from a previous relationship. I already had other family in Sussex as well and loved the county so it made sense to me.
Having worked in the emergency services in London and seeing the amount of violence there on a day to day basis, I didn’t want to raise a family there.

Cobham

Been trying to move to N Yorkshire for 2.5 years. Lived in Lincolnshire (which is affordable but good luck trying to find nice places to go), Nottinghamshire was okay in pockets, now also on the Fylde Coast which is very affordable but we are again struggling for things to do that don't involve barging through massive crowds in Blackpool, Preston or Lancaster.

My heart is in N Yorks. It is simply breathtaking. You drive through it and you want to stop at every village pub because they are all so darned pretty. Can't find a pub with a nice view for love nor money in Lancashire!

Problems with N Yorks: often slow internet (I have a list of BT exchanges for this reason), and tons of properties are on oil with no future of having a gas connection. A lot of places seem to have 300 yo houses or new builds and not a lot in between. Also, small gardens or yards (as a general rule, under 400k). There are a few larger towns such as Ripon that are completely different though.

If you need access to London, Thirsk (gorgeous) and Northallerton (decent town, mostly new builds) will get you there.

The people are very friendly too.

Yorkshire. Half way between Leeds and Sheffield and about an hour max to Manchester. I left along time ago and have a 4 bed house in nice area with three double bedrooms and a good size single and a nice garden. Cost of it wouldn't get me 1 bed flat in London. I like popping back to london now and then but I love it up here. Leeds is a great city centre ans I think there's lots to do in Sheffield ans surrounding areas. Look for something close to m1 or an motorway that is close to a city. It'll be bit cheaper than being in city.

Currently looking to move back West and this fits the bill! Thanks!

@TiredCatLady glad to help- if it's in good Nick(and obviously I can't tell that) it looks a cracking cottage for the money, a decent size with storeage too and in a very lovely village with pub and shop!!

Southend- it's a great place to live and doesn't deserve its reputation imo. I still work in East London so it's a straight train into work. So much more space for your money out here - we went from a 2 bed flat with no outside space, to a 3 bed house with a loft room, garden and conservatory.

Well we moved to Melbourne from London, but bear with me.

When choosing where to live we were determined not to give up living in a world class city without a major advantage, in this case, living close to the sea. And we did it. Also being in the catchment for a good state school helped.

It's easy to get into town for all the arty shite we love so much too. Win win.

Can I ask which area of east london. Which years roughly? East London has changed a lot.

west bridgford is very nice - essentially part of Nottingham as well which is handy.

I live in south London and have two boys 9 and 5, also pregnant with 3rd baby. Just don’t want to bring my kids up here, antisocial crime is worsening and I don’t feel safe. I grew up in Newcastle so know all
about city living and it’s just not want I want anymore. We are looking to move to Horsham next year

East of York. We moved when the kids were in primary school so they all view Yorkshire as home which will hopefully make getting on the property ladder a bit easier for them. Dh works in Leeds (40 minute commute once a week). It's 2hrs by train to London or Manchester, or 2.5 to Edinburgh. Beaches, hill-walking within reach. It was a good choice.

I would have said the weather is rubbish, but whenever there's a heatwave down south it's several degrees cooler here, so maybe I'll come to love the weather too.

For folk with teens/kids approaching teens, I do rather wonder/worry what they may think of a move away, especially in later years.
So many opportunities in London and these days so like a fortress because of property (didn't used to be) that it can be very hard to get a toe-hold in it if from outside.

Hong Kong (not helpful but on the relevant side, hardly anyone can afford to buy so you're all in the same boat living with an avocado bathroom suite, 1990's kitchen and cream walls).

I mention it on the off-chance that you're teachers because it's a pretty good deal if you get into one of the better schools.

@overdalexx We were in Bethnal Green /Whitechapel. Left in 2015.
Near Roman Road, it had a fairly good market when we went there. The East London Hospital was local, Walking distance to Brick Lane which was thriving.

thanks for reply - know area pretty well, though not to live. A bit surprised crime so bad these days.

Manchester.
Love it here and was affordable for a bigger house when we arrived 14 years ago now getting more expensive. close connection to city centre etc.