It's a right old quandary.
The case for leaving:
1 We have £700K equity in the house. For that, we could buy a lovely house to live in, plus one on the seaside to rent out, and use ourselves, and have no mortgage. We could do jobs we liked.
2 I was (unwisely) banking on inheriting some money. Doesn't look like I will now, so need income/money for future. e.g. seaside house.
3 Secondary schools here not great. To get DS into one somewhere else we're need to be there beginning of year six, i.e. three years time.
4 Don't take advantage of all London has to offer, as it's too daunting. Somewhere with less may in fact get used more.
5 Fed up with constant noise, dirt, battles at bus stops, etc.
6 Good to do new stuff.
The case against:
1 Friends. Though the majority of my old gang have left London
2 If we left, we'd never be able to go back.
3 Family. Four hours is a long drive back for parental emergency.
4 Thus, potential loneliness. But, I do so much on Facebook, email, etc how much would change?
Sorry to hear about ailing and inappropriately pierced offspring. Do you think he did too much too soon, BTM?