Moving from Kent to Cumbria

[user1481793287]

Hi everyone,

First time ever posting on here so please excuse me if I don't know all the lingo/phrases lol

So I have had enough of living in Kent and doing the whole London commute (although not at mo) and I have been thinking about re-locating for a while now. I have no ties so I'm pretty flexible about where we can go. I am able to work from home full time. I have twin daughters who are 3. I know this sounds a bit crazy as ive never actually been to Cumbria or the Lakes but something has really intrigued me and I feel like taking a leap of faith and just going. Of course we would try and look for work first and then somewhere to rent to get a feel of the place. So wanted to know if there are any places we should 'go for' and those we should 'avoid'. I'm thinking my hubby might be best looking for work in Lancaster so anywhere within an hour commute from here would be ideal xx

Following as I am thinking the same! Had enough of the south east and the appeal is too strong!

We moved in October from Buckinghamshire to the Cumbrian West Coast, small village, people are friendly and from the back of the house can see the Isle of Man, fabulous fell walks, coast is five mins away. Good internet so work etc not a problem. Houses are pretty affordable too.

We moved from south east to Cumbria a decade ago. We did used to come up on holiday here every year. We love it. I would rent and check out areas though if you do decide to come up here. Each village had its own vibe we found and tried a couple before we settled on one and bought. Also job market can be an issue depending on what industry you’re in.

We moved from the SE to Cumbria 6 years ago. I'd only ever been to the area on e as a child! We are a 15 min drive from Kendal and about 25 mins from Lancaster. It's a lovely area and we are very glad we moved here. We didn't rent first, just went for it and bought straight away.

I'd really recommend the area where we are - it's pretty accessible as the M6 is near, it's within a short distance of the Lakes but not in the National Park, so less expensive and not full of tourists. It has lots of incomers, so we don't stick out,and it's friendly. Be warned though- the weather really is as bad as they say!

I'm a bit at someone who's never been to Cumberland ... As long as you're not one of those townies who get up here and start complaining. You might be happier in Lancaster itself - it's a lovely town, and it wouldn't be such a shock to you.

As long as you're not one of those townies who get up here and start complaining.

In my experience it's often the locals who do the complaining . They are always going on about the traffic and the tourists. Having lived in London and Oxford, Cumbria feels very quiet and low on traffic to me! Most fellow incomers I know moved here for the outdoor life and spend a lot of time in the fells etc, so they knew what they wanted out of the move and are much more into it than many people for whom it's just where they happen to have always lived.

You definitely need to do your research though, obviously. We were lucky in that we picked a good area and village without knowing the area beforehand. My dc were 6 and 9 and we didn't want to rent,get them settled into a school and then have to move them again.