Dreaming of a new life in Norfolk.

norfolkdream

Well here I am starting a new thread

I have been doing OPs for the past 4 and half years through the help of people on MSE but have had to re-register due to circumstances.

My mortgage value as of February 2014 is £28,026 once the MP has been taken out. Hard to believe that July 09 it was £86k and my EMFD was 2032! :eek:

I am hoping that I can try and get this mortgage completed by Dec 2016 (2 years) I have had two targets to reach before and have met them both which has really surprised me so this is my third target (and most probably my last that I will end on unless something amazing happens ) I doing this on my own, my kids are in senior school at the moment and I try to live to a certain budget.

I am on a fixed rate of 2.69% until Aug 2015. This year from Aug 13 I can OP £3500 of which I have already OP’d £2317 so I have £1,183 left in my 10% limit until Aug this year. After I have used this I will put my OPs into savings until I can OP again. My target for 2014 is £5k

What is the reason for my member name I hear you ask, well it speaks for itself. I live in the middle of England somewhere at the moment but I have always dreamed of living by the coast. West Norfolk is my preference as I love taking photographs of sunsets and you get some stunning sunsets in the sea along that way.

My plan after being mortgage free is to then save save save about another £100k over 5 or 6 (or realistically 7) years so I can buy my next home mortgage free. By then my kids will have left school and can choose where they want to be. This has been a dream of mine for a few years and I have even looked at moving now but it wouldn’t be fair on the kids to take them away from their dad or the good school they are in.

Also I have to think about job possibilities for all of us and a small village would mean commuting costs and time. There has to be a work life balance somehow and I don’t want to be travelling an hour a day just to live near the coast.

The year after the mortgage is done I want to redo my kitchen and bathroom and poss decorate a few rooms. I am still debating whether to do this or just sell as is for quick sale. I have all these ideas for the kitchen etc but am I just putting money into the house I wont get back if sold, on the other hand will it help it to sell the house. Peoples ideas of kitchens might not be the same as mine

When I used to see threads of mortgages in the £20ks I was so jealous now I can sort of see the finish line.

So the start of this year I have OP'd £500/£5000 in January. (10%)

Good luck to all in the same boat trying to get rid of this chain round our necks and big congrats to those that have already managed to slay it!! :beer:
Watch this space for 2 years time :cool:

norfolkdream

Is there anyone in Norfolk that has already made the move that can give me pros and cons about living there?

Stressfree_WB

Good luck with your journey. 2 years is only around the corner.... I wish my mortgage was as low as yours

norfolkdream

But you will be finished the same as me, I started nearly 5 years ago, yours will be done quickly

gallygirl

Sorry I can't help with Norfolk advice, though DD lives in Norwich.

Sounds like you've made really good progress already, you'll be at Cromer eating crab in no time

norfolkdream

Car in for MOT and service today, needed new bulb and tyre, cost £278 :eek: I had £300 saved for that so at least no extra outlay. Insurance was only £183 and had £250 aside for that, tax is only £30 so cant complain at that.

julliff

Goodluck nd, it sounds like a lovely aspiration :-)

norfolkdream

Thank you

I am going to try and start doing meal planners, I was given a new SC (my old one broke) and have been attempting to use it at least 3 times a week. I really love coming home to the smell of food cooking and knowing I havent really got to do anything more.
I usually get my meat from the supermarket but after a comment on a group on FB about trying to get a good deal of bulk meat from the butchers, that is what I am going to try and do. The meat will be MUCH better quality and tastier as well. My grocery budget is £140 and I am really trying to be more healthy and eat more veg. Luckily the kids eat plates of veg its just me that doesnt but I have been good since new year so keeping it up now.

greatgimpo

You should seriously consider the environmental implications regarding flooding possibilities around west Norfolk to the south of the Wash.

gallygirl

greatgimpo wrote: »

You should seriously consider the environmental implications regarding flooding possibilities around west Norfolk to the south of the Wash.

That's a good point. Maybe you could just stay put and let Norfolk come to you :rotfl:.

norfolkdream

Yeah I do worry about that a lot, I was thinking of maybe living more inland about 20 mins drive maybe and that would be closer to job prospects too.

Just took the kids to drama rehearsals in the car and the back passenger side door seal has come away. It wasnt like that yesterday, I am wondering whether someone at the garage has knocked it. Do you think I could take it back on Monday and make them fix it or will they deny it was their fault?