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Rural living

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

Original poster

Anxiety about moving out of London

13 replies

Pollyjb · 07/05/2025 07:12

I have two children under two and my husband and I want to move out of london. We don’t have a particular set location but an opportunity has come up in a village where some friends live we need to make a decision on quick. We’d only rent the house, which I quite like but am not completely in love with. We wouldn’t get that much extra space (1 extra bedroom, smaller sitting room but big garden which we don’t have now). Village is lovely though and we’d have friends 50m away to help us settle. I’m SO anxious about what to do, whether the upheaval will be worth it or not. Any advice?!!

OP posts:
SelinaPlace · 07/05/2025 07:14

How much time have you spent there?

rose69 · 07/05/2025 07:15

Will you or you kids when they get older rely on a bus service. Rural ones are being cut.

ohreallywhatnow · 07/05/2025 07:33

We did this in 2019, I was very hesitant to move from London where I'd always lived. On day 2, I took the kids for a walk and came back saying 'why didn't we do this before!' My husband had spent 5 years convincing me! The sense of community is amazing and our children have thrived. I'd recommend it (and I'm a city person, or was!)

Surreyblah · 07/05/2025 07:35

I would never want to live in a village / rurally as want to be within commuting distance of well paid jobs, for me & not just DH.

Am in the commuterbelt which is fine but not ideal for teens as public transport is dreadful, limiting their independence.

RampantIvy · 07/05/2025 07:39

It is quite possible to live in a village and be within commuting distance of well paid jobs. Not all well paid jobs are in London.

@Pollyjb do you drive? If not I would learn ASAP. I live in a village with hourly public transport to the nearest town, but no buses between the villages. If I didn't drive I wouldn't live here.

mumonthehill · 07/05/2025 07:45

I think if you both want a change then a village where you already have friends sounds great. Yes there are things to adapt to and yes not everything is on your doorstep but I really do not need or want them on my doorstep anymore. Dc loved growing up here, the outdoors, and never wanted a city life style.I live very rurally and both dh and I have well paid jobs.

HundredPercentUnsure · 07/05/2025 07:51

I would but only if the village had a local shop for when you run out of milk or bread, a post office, a pub, a takeaway away and a kids play park.

But really - an extra bedroom and a big garden with the country side on your doorstep? Yes please!

WinterFoxes · 07/05/2025 08:18

I wouldn't base the choice on gaving friends there. You won't live in each other's pockets.

We moved to a village when DC were very young. I'm a city person at heart, so it was really important to me that the village was lively.

Are there food shops and a pharmacy in walking distance? A village hall with lots going on for kids and adults? A village green and playpark? A pub, cafe, restaurant? GP and dental surgery? Bus and/or train service? A good school? Sports facilities? A town close by for clothes shopping? Local walks?

If so, go for it. But if there's nothing but a golf course you can't walk on and a village store full of long life food, I'd stay put.

Original poster
Pollyjb · 07/05/2025 08:18

Yes I drive and we have stayed in the village 4/5 times with these friends before and like it. My worry is just more about whether it’s the right decision or not because it’s such a big one

OP posts:
LoafofSellotape · 07/05/2025 08:27

What is there for teenagers to do? Is the secondary school nearby, is there a bus they can get themselves?

Surreyblah · 07/05/2025 08:31

of course there can be good jobs near villages, depends on your field of work, but many people need to be within commuting distance of a city or large town and London does have loads of jobs.

Moving out of London could mean commuter belt (towns / villages) or another town / city / village beyond. I’d personally never want to live in a village (city type person)

RampantIvy · 07/05/2025 08:43

Surreyblah · 07/05/2025 08:31

of course there can be good jobs near villages, depends on your field of work, but many people need to be within commuting distance of a city or large town and London does have loads of jobs.

Moving out of London could mean commuter belt (towns / villages) or another town / city / village beyond. I’d personally never want to live in a village (city type person)

I live within half an hour of two major cities.
While London has some of the very best paid jobs other cities also have very well paid jobs. Not everyone wants a career in finance/law/big4/magic circle type roles.

Also salary is relative to the cost of living, so while we have lower salaries housing is a lot cheaper where I am. Can you buy a 4 bed detached house with two bathrooms and downstairs loo, garage and garden in a nice, low crime area for under £500k in London?

I find your post a little Londoncentric TBH.

Newgirls · 07/05/2025 08:46

Is there a thriving village school? If so there will be plenty of people your age to meet

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