Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Rural living

Looking to relocate to the countryside? Find advice in our Rural Living forum.

Original poster

South east to Grantham

40 replies

mashbanana · 07/02/2023 06:36

Hi,

I'm considering this move, from the south east up to Grantham. Anyone done the same or similar and how do you feel about the move now?

Have you missed the proximity to London? If you have school age kids, how have they found the transition? Was it all worth it? DH really wants to move, he moved to the south east for me when we met and has always wanted to go back further north, nearer home for him. I'm not opposed to the idea, but it's a big change 😬

OP posts:
Original poster
mashbanana · 07/02/2023 19:39

Thanks for all the replies this morning - really helpful.

We've been up to Grantham and the surrounding area a few times since Xmas - for the weekends to explore around the areas and villages.

Keep the advice and suggestions coming though please!

OP posts:
Kennykenkencat · 07/02/2023 19:46

Check out the internet.

We were supposed to be there for a few months

We lasted 2 weeks

Couldn’t get a phone signal in some parts of the village we were staying.

Where we were actually staying was ideal on the surface and was for sale but speaking to the owner they had so many viewers but because the village had very patchy internet and the signal wasn’t great even with WiFi it remained on the market.

SpinneyJenny · 07/02/2023 20:05

Bottesford is lovely. Very good secondary which only goes up to Yr11 but then there's lots of choice including Toot Hill Sixth Form which has recently been graded outstanding.

SharkVega · 07/02/2023 20:06

If proximity to a rail link to London is the main draw you right want to look at areas close to East Midlands Parkway - 1 hour 30 into St Pancras. I'm afraid I don't know anything about schools but there are some nice villages in that general area.

Happycroc · 07/02/2023 20:27

We moved from the Surrey/ West Sussex border to - village 20 mins south of Grantham 2 years ago. We moved for a bigger house as you get so much more for your money here.

We use Grantham for the train to London which takes just as long as it used to, the difference in train link, other than getting into King’s Cross rather than Waterloo is the price. Trains from our previous closest train station, Haslemere is about £45 for an any time return ticket. From Grantham it’s usually about £80-£100 for a return ticket where you are booked on a specific train and if you want to change to an earlier/ later train there are fees (still haven’t got used to this!)

We’re in a village in the vale of Belvoir near a market town which suits all our daily shopping needs and then it’s only half an hour to Nottingham and the same to Leicester

My son is at a village primary, which is lovely, and we hope that he might pass his 11+ and be lucky enough that because he is in a “low birth year” that he might get a place at the grammar in Grantham.

We have met lots of people, mostly through hobbies and the kids, we find that we have made friends easily and my husband and I would suggest that the people here are more friendly than in the south.

Incidentally I asked my son just earlier if he thinks about where we used to live and he said he doesn’t at all and that he’s very happy here.

Unlike a PP we have never had a problem with phone signal and we have fantastic internet, which we need as we run a business online, although we pay more for this and the company (free) put in fibre to our property.

Overall we love it here and my only issue is that my son is developing a midlands accent 😉

Original poster
mashbanana · 07/02/2023 20:27

Kennykenkencat · 07/02/2023 19:46

Check out the internet.

We were supposed to be there for a few months

We lasted 2 weeks

Couldn’t get a phone signal in some parts of the village we were staying.

Where we were actually staying was ideal on the surface and was for sale but speaking to the owner they had so many viewers but because the village had very patchy internet and the signal wasn’t great even with WiFi it remained on the market.

Do you mind saying what village this was please?

Wifi isn't a problem; DH can't work without it so will have high speed fiber installed directly to the house. Expensive but we've factored it into the purchase price.

Phone signal is a worry though

OP posts:
Original poster
mashbanana · 07/02/2023 20:31

Happycroc · 07/02/2023 20:27

We moved from the Surrey/ West Sussex border to - village 20 mins south of Grantham 2 years ago. We moved for a bigger house as you get so much more for your money here.

We use Grantham for the train to London which takes just as long as it used to, the difference in train link, other than getting into King’s Cross rather than Waterloo is the price. Trains from our previous closest train station, Haslemere is about £45 for an any time return ticket. From Grantham it’s usually about £80-£100 for a return ticket where you are booked on a specific train and if you want to change to an earlier/ later train there are fees (still haven’t got used to this!)

We’re in a village in the vale of Belvoir near a market town which suits all our daily shopping needs and then it’s only half an hour to Nottingham and the same to Leicester

My son is at a village primary, which is lovely, and we hope that he might pass his 11+ and be lucky enough that because he is in a “low birth year” that he might get a place at the grammar in Grantham.

We have met lots of people, mostly through hobbies and the kids, we find that we have made friends easily and my husband and I would suggest that the people here are more friendly than in the south.

Incidentally I asked my son just earlier if he thinks about where we used to live and he said he doesn’t at all and that he’s very happy here.

Unlike a PP we have never had a problem with phone signal and we have fantastic internet, which we need as we run a business online, although we pay more for this and the company (free) put in fibre to our property.

Overall we love it here and my only issue is that my son is developing a midlands accent 😉

This is so good to hear - thank you. My children are currently developing estuary accents much to DH's despair is is a born and bred northerner! He can't wait to get them away from that influence Blush

OP posts:
Happycroc · 07/02/2023 20:40

@mashbanana pop me a message if you want any more specific info, although I’m a newcomer 😉

SpinneyJenny · 08/02/2023 06:14

Overall we love it here and my only issue is that my son is developing a midlands accent

I find that odd in the Vale of Belvoir - my DD and her local friends don't have accents - I'd say they speak RP. Not that it matters 😊

And, OP, don't get too hung up about the grammar school. Lots of parents hothouse their kids with tutoring to get them into grammar school and the two in Grantham aren't anything special.

Bingham is a nice market town for shopping/eating.

acf81 · 26/06/2023 22:00

Jumping on to ask for similar advice. DS in y5 also and DH from Notts. Planning on relocating next year…wanted DS to finish primary!
Feels like a big change so would welcome advice from people who’ve done it/are doing it.

nickdrakeslovechild · 26/06/2023 22:06

custardbear · 07/02/2023 07:08

Try looking at West Bridgford, it's Nottingham, but reasonable rail links, especially if it's not that often. Great schools and local facilities etc.
It's expensive but good and close to the countryside too. Great sports and cafe type culture

I was just about to suggest West Bridgford! Gorgeous place with wonderful schools.

FloofCloud · 27/06/2023 20:56

West Bridgford is a fantastic place to bring up children, great schools, facilities, pretty safe place to
Live and tonnes to do. Easy access to EM parkway or notts station for travel to London.

FunPinkSwan · 19/01/2025 22:44

@PuttingDownRoots , I’m considering moving to this area (outside Doncaster) would you mind sharing how you’re finding it

I have a soon to be 9 yr old so would be considering schools

from what I’m reading it’s best to be outside the town however Sprotbrough keeps popping up as a suggestion..

happy to know your thoughts

Original poster
mashbanana · 20/01/2025 06:51

Hi,

We made the big move in August! But, we decided against Grantham in the end, we've moved to Rutland instead.

Being brutally honest, the move was very, very hard on the children. Lots of upset and tears. Although I knew it would be hard, leaving friends was more distressing than I could have imagined.

Overall, I still think it was worth the upheaval, the schools are fab and I feel they are much safer growing up here comparatively.

OP posts:
acf81 · 20/01/2025 15:04

We made the big move in August too from Surrey/south London to Grantham. I agree with poster above - the move was very hard on my children. Coupled with my eldest finishing primary and me leaving a job I’d been in for 15years there were lots of tears from everyone.
I have no regrets though and overall I feel
much happier bringing the children up here. Just need to get rid of the Croydon accent my 10yr old has now!

New posts on this thread. Refresh page