Long distance move tips

[Shellac1]

I've seen other threads over a while where people are planning to move to the other end of the country but never seen how they've turned out and whether people have actually moved. I'd like to move from the North to the south coast. Area isn't a problem and I can afford houses I like. Issues are I've no transport and I'll need a new job. Plus I'll be doing everything on my own or as much as I can. Has anyone done something similar and got any tips as to the best way to plan something. Should I bite the bullet and rent. Not something I'd really want to do.

I would rent first to get to know the area. I’d also get some driving lessons so you have flexibility to explore

On your own? I’d learn to drive

We found it easier to move and then buy

I was able to work form where ever home was but if that isn’t even a short term option I would say find job is the start and then rent while you work your new job, sell up and find somewhere new

that also means you will be better placed to really judge specific locations and not end up having to be something quickly that’s poorly thought through - it’s expensive mistake otherwise

think about how minimal you are prepared to go for that temporary stage- bedsit / studio with everything in storage once you have sold ( you might actually join sale to buying but if you are renting you ca break the chains and that can really help

Put your pillow in your suitcase, not in a storage box. I was without mine for months and cried my eyes out out when I finally got to lay my head on it.

I’ve done it twice now on my own - from the North of Scotland to the South of England and then back to another part of Scotland.

Both times I found a job first but I guess it really depends what sector you’re in?

Moving down to England I had to stay in an Airbnb for a few weeks while I looked for a rental, as it just wasn’t possible to do that long distance. I bought my own flat about a year after.

On the move back to Scotland I was able to live with family for 6 months while I settled and looked for a place to rent (I subsequently bought about a year after again). I had taken all my furniture etc with me in the move and it went into storage - but in hindsight I wish I had just sold everything and started again as I ended up replacing a lot anyway.

Good luck!

DP and I did this in January but there were two of us, and I have a wfh job that I was able to port to new location.
We looked for about a year. Found a location. Then saw a house we liked. We then put our house on the market in Scotland and sold in two weeks. Only after we had sold did we declare our hand with the house we had set our heart on. Amazingly we got it.
The removal involved packing in Scotland on the Thursday and the removal company, keeping our stuff across a weekend then driving down on the Monday, unpacking on the Tuesday
our journey
Are you in Scotland? It makes a difference if you are because you have to straddle two legal systems.
You need an enormous amount of luck along the way and a first rate solicitor in both countries.
So much harder doing it on your own and not driving, too,
As @Tortephant and @Fable2024 I agree learning to drive would be something to do right now - and learning on roads that you recognise is much easier.
Have you had estate agents along to your current place to find out realistically how long it will take to sell your house and whether there is demand?
Have you applied for jobs in the new area you want to live?
@ThatLimeBiscuit has very relevant experience
We didn't do what @midgetastic did as we went from house to house, but her route might be a better route than ours for you.
Good luck. Lots of it really is luck.

I very much appreciate the responses. I can drive, I just don't have a car but I'm taking it that getting one is highly recommended.
I'm not in Scotland, in Manchester, which feels far enough and difficult to make regular journeys.
Thanks again everyone.

I moved from the south to Lincolnshire, which was a fairly significant change.
I miss good public transport and being able to go out in London on a whim and know I can always get home. The range of options for trips out, food, theatre and so on.
That's about it!
Cheaper house prices and a different way of life here. There's much more of a community feel here, and different things to do.
I'm lucky, I didn't have to find work as I work remotely but I otherwise started completely from scratch not knowing anyone here. It was daunting and I think it mostly worked out as I've been happy to get involved with things and have hobbies which are good ways of meeting people, even as someone who is slightly socially awkward.

Edit - I bought straight away. Hand was slightly forced as I had to move from where I was and there wasn't a lot of rental options, especially given as I have cats.
For me it's worked out, I also accepted that if it didn't I may well have had to sell and move, but if I took that cost into consideration Vs the money lost renting it probably worked out even and at least I was paying a mortgage off in the interim.

We moved from London to NI

DH is from NI, but we moved to a completely different county the other end of the country to where he knew

I spent months short listing houses to view, researching areas ( 20 years ago ) and like you I didnt drive. So I chose an area that at least had a train link to the cities

So this city lass, born and bred in London, ended up in a house in the middle of nowhere, close to the sea and most beautiful beaches - and had to learn to drive PDQ - no buses and 6 miles to the nearest shop :)

We bought straight away, indeed DH never saw the house until the day we moved in , Id flown over and viewed 6 houses shortlisted

Getting here was great fun. Our furniture was lifted three days before we completed as we weren't bringing enough for a full load so we booked space on a back load then we travelled up to Scotland and stayed with friends before we sailed. We arrived to the house, with 2 foot of snow and not a drop of heating oil and just an air mattress, duvet and the dog for warmth that first night

It was stressful for sure. I lost over a stone in three months and went a tad greyer

But we found our home. We love it here, totally absolutely love it.

Now we are coming to our later years I would contemplate moving back across the water , not to London , but some other city/ market town in Scotland or the North and it wouldn't faze me at all . Life is for living and if I cant find what we will be needing here, Im happy to move to where I can find it

I’m moving from Surrey to the North West in August. I grew up in North Wales, but didn’t want to return there, as my office will be in Liverpool (no job change as we have a team there already) and I like working in the office so wanted a 30 min door to door commute. So I looked at multiple locations within half hr travel and settled on one around half way from family & friends and office.

To make it easier, i’m buying a new build, as it would have been difficult coming up all the time looking at houses when they become available. I fell in love with the location (river walks at lunchtime when WFH, perfect) and also absolutely love the house i’m buying. I’ve been renting all my adult life (bar 6yrs owning with my ex) and cannot wait to finally relocate back near my roots and get started on the next chapter.