Feeling stuck

[Yay68]

Hi all! I'm a 55 year old single woman with 2 grown daughters and 2 grandchildren. Over the past couple of years both have left London due to the ever increasing cost of living. Both have settled in West Sussex. It's wonderful to see them thriving and having a happier lifestyle all round. Both grew up in London.
i live in a social housing property, I myself would now like to leave London to be closer to family. I have a lovely large 1 bedroom place with garden. I've been on housing exchange sites for ages, obviously not many people seem to want to move to london these days. However, I have the chance to swap to Lewes in East Sussex. Close to children, 20mins from beach, lovely area etc... only thing is it's a 1st floor flat with balcony and communal garden. The flats are lovely and people nice. Really pretty. Has anyone else taken the plunge? Will I regret loosing a small garden and moving to a smaller place but in a much better area. Where I live has become so depressing. So much crime, never ending road congestion. I've always taken chances in life and business. How ever this feels huge!! It's also been nice to empy
my head on here 😊 would love to hear thoughts xx

Do it! It sounds lovely and the chance to be close to your family is the driving force here.

It's a no brainer. Why would anyone stay in London? They stay because they haven't realised quality of life is better elsewhere.

Lewes is lovely, I would go for it if I was you.

I lived in Lewes for 18 years. It has good amenities, a brilliant independent cinema (The Depot), lots of cafes and restaurants and a leisure centre. I've always found GP and healthcare services to be good, but I discovered recently that the Royal Sussex hospital in Brighton (the nearest) has been rated inadequate. Hopefully, they are improving. My own personal experience with them - at the children's hospital and in emergency care - has been good. And there is always Haywards Heath hospital as another option.

Lewes has good transport links: it's only an hour from London Victoria and is close to Gatwick for travel abroad.

It's also a very attractive town, with a castle and a pretty main street.

House prices are high and there are always more people trying to buy than properties available.

There are a lot of former Londoners living there - mainly white, middle class. If you want diversity and a busy city life, you head to Brighton (15 minutes away by train). Personally, I love visiting Brighton, but I prefer the relative quietness of Lewes.

Moving to Lewes sounds a great option. It might seem premature but is future mobility a concern? If you sprain your ankle or have more permanent issues at any point, how will you cope loving alone in a first floor flat? If there's a lift, that's great, but otherwise it could be quite limiting. I'd rather hang on to find a ground floor option, just to future-proof and avoid moving twice,

Change is scary, but that sounds like a great option. You might well be too busy getting out and about and seeing family to miss the private garden. We have a garden and a balcony and we honestly sit on the balcony whenever it's nice, never the garden!

London is amazing but so is Lewes! The only thing I’d consider is mobility issues. Also, how important is a garden?

Mobility issues at 55! Blimey I mean would you say that to someone looking to buy a house at 55? 🙄

It sounds lovely. Have you already retired or just about to retire?

Lewes is GORGEOUS! Go for it! (I'm a Londoner who's lived all over.)

Do it! Just do it!!

Thank you all so much for your lovely words. I'm a very active / young at heart 55yr old 😊 definitely up for new adventures. The peace / countryside / smaller community appeals to me now. I adore my garden. Also, central Lewes so everything a short walk away. New place is a smaller flat and has a private garden shared by 6 other residents. It's beautiful. My balcony would over look this. I have planned a viewing for week commencing 20th Feb. Have a great weekend everyone xx

only thing is it's a 1st floor flat with balcony and communal garden.

Sounds fabulous! I love my flat - less to clean! - and also have a balcony. No communal garden though but a couple of parks nearby.

Go for it! Personally I can't stand London,had to live there with my first H. Second H is actually London born and bred, and can't bear it either. I'm not a million miles away from Lewes.

Please let us know how you get on.