Moving out of London - the Good Life?

Question

London was brilliant while I was younger, but now (I'm 36) I find I'm caring less about the social life and being in the middle of everything and starting to notice the noise, traffic, rudeness and the hectic pace.

I'd like to step back from it all and move out to the country. I have some savings and I would make sure I had a job before moving (I'm an accountant).

Can anyone who has done this tell me what it was like? Was it what you expected? What do you wish you'd known beforehand? Would you do it again?

I grew up in a village so I have some idea of the downsides (three buses a day, nothing to do, everyone knows your business, shops don't sell anything and it's all overpriced), but surely the internet has helped there?

I don't drive, and would rather not learn - will this be a massive problem (obviously it will be an inconvenience, but is it do-able)?

I'm thinking somewhere like the New Forest, and work in Southampton - anyone from that area? Any advice for me?

Answer 1

Try read this might help : http://www.myhome.ie/residential/advice-...

Also  there was a woman on Richard & Judy a while back she moved to country and wrote a book -id luk it up  for you buty im in a rush so google it

Outside London Driving is one of the few ways that helps you get a Job -I live in a town and am finding it impossible to get a part time job within walking or a lift distance -the bus would end up  being to  expensive for part time + plus London transport may not be the best but it has the most money spent on it compared to any other place with public transport -really wanna start using S****y buses ect? -or paying over the odds for a taxi -I think you really should consider learnig to  drive -maby you didnt learn because in London its not really essential as you have the tube and the roads are clogged as it is.

Though you sound fairly well off and so money shouldent be a prob -new forest is a nice I even took a short break there. palce never been southhampton though.

Answer 2

Just because its a village, doesn't mean it neccissarily has a poor service. I can think of many (In North East England), with services that run more then once an Hour!!! I can't really speak for the New Forest, look on www.wdbus.co.uk - if you don't have a car perhaps look for somewhere with a reasonable bus service, then you still don't need a car!

Answer 3

well I haven't had anything like your experience considering I'm still only in college, but I hope my input helps.

COME TO SURREY.

seriously, it is absolutely gorgeous. beautiful, in the country, but with enough 'stuff' to not render you bored. I'd recommend somewhere like Shottermill, which is just outside of Haslemere. there's a range of house styles (also therefore a range of costs - but they all scrub up pretty well, and I know we don't pay THAT much for our mortgage), so you'd be sure to find something. Parts of Shottermill are only about twenty minutes to half an hours walk to Haslemere station, which has regular trains to Guildford and London Waterloo. Obviously the trains go the other way as well (you mentioned Southampton) to places like Fratton, Portsmouth ..etc. So being near the station is always good if you're working, and there are loads of bus stops around, too. You could always try a house in Haslemere itself in fact, as it's a lovely town. Haslemere high street offers two pubs, restaurants (no really posh ones but there's pizza express, ASK, and a charming little Italian restaurant run by a family, which is called Arco Felice - really worth going to!), coffee shops, stationer's, clothes shops such as fat face, starfish, amazing grace, crew.. also has furniture shops...the lot. ALL ON ONE HIGH STREET - and it's packed in quite neatly so you don't get tired!

But shottermill rules.

Hope I helped :) !

Answer 4

I did it ten years ago and didn't look back.  I now live in a small cottage on a farm in the middle of the country side and work in Bath, (big enogh top have more than one bus a day but small enough to nip to the shops without fearing for your life).  I don't drive either and it's a pain in the wot not but I manage.  Bath is lovely and Bristol is commutable.

I would definately do it if your having these thoughts.  If you don't love London anymore, it can start to get you down.

Answer 5

First of all congrats on maturing, and deciding to open a new chapter in your life.

I lived in London for several years, but then just got sic of the noise, so I moved to Glastonbury. A beautiful  wonderful village . And I now live in the States. I got sick of the noise in London, and of the poverty.

The not having an auto thing will be a bit tough. You might want to try to get a vespa, or make sure what ever town you live in has pubic transport, or everything is in walkable distance.

I wish you luck on all your indevers.

Answer 6

For my twopenno'rth too expensive  going south  ideas I suggest Felixstowe/Ipswich  transport brill London by train every 15 mins only an hour away tickets on line 6quid single  otherwise Darlington,Saltburn or Redcar again good transport links hourly service glasgow and London much lower cost of living both Darlington and Ipswich have full range of shops much like Southampton

  Both the Towns have Borough bus services  and rural services  not a joke Ipswich dont feed birds or the ducks on the ponds.the litter wardens will have you