Moving Away from the Southeast... What am I missing?

steampowered

Once you factor in driving to the station at Grantham, the 10minute walk from the train to the tube at Kings Cross, and the 15 minutes it takes to get out of Bank station in rush hour - I reckon the commute will be over 2 hours each way.

If you only need to be in London 2 (or possibly 3) days a week it is probably manageable, but I think you'd have to accept you will not see much of your family on those days. You also need to factor in commuting costs.

Red-Squirrel_2

fiisch wrote: »

Overcrowding is a big factor as well - it feels like everyone is fighting for their 2" of space where we are, and even expensive houses are built very close to neighbouring properties...


I appreciate grammar schools is a personal and controversial subject - my feelings are shaped heavily by my personal experiences. My parents managed to send me to private school with the help of a bursary and finding creative ways to make extra income, and there is an element of obligation to try and do the same for my daughter. I experienced both the state and private education systems, and for me personally the private school did much better for me as an individual. I am not saying students at state schools cannot do as well/better than privately educated counterparts, but it takes an enormous amount of resilience and self-discipline.


I do not think we would qualify for a bursary, and £8k per child per term is likely too much for us (I have started saving, but it's not enough at the moment), therefore I would like the choice of a grammar school.


It is not purely down to schooling - the added space (the houses for similar prices to our own are out of this world!!), the rural setting and the excitement of starting a new adventure as a family all adds to the appeal. I am mindful not to rush into anything (we'd definitely need a couple of weekends away to get a feel for the place), but interesting to note other people's experiences!

Are you aware of the research that shows state pupils actually do better at university than private school pupils? Private schools don’t prepare them for independent learning without being constantly supervised and encouraged.

Doozergirl

You've mentioned trains, but not the motorway.
Grantham looks a long way from the faster motorways that enable you to access that family more easily. We moved from London 15 years ago and I heavily value the motorway network to get me back there easily, into Birmingham for a much valued regular dose of big city atmosphere and around the rest of the country. London is a hub and fairly easy to get to by train but then anyone visiting from other areas has to go into London and out again. It all adds time.

Birmingham international is one hour from Euston and very well serviced, but the reality is that it is often cheaper and quicker to drive when you consider connections.

Birmingham has grammars, there are some in Warwickshire too. But there are good schools everywhere. I would consider your distance to family a little more if you genuinely have no links to where you are looking.

We love in Worcs and our daughter travels into Birmingham to grammar school. She is well suited to grammar but I think it's fair to say that not everybody is. We did move close to DH's family because of their help and the availability of good schools but not for grammar schools. Most children don't get in, for a start; it's a bit silly to build a whole life around that. I come from a similar educational background to you. I benefitted from Thatcher's Assisted Place scheme and I wanted my children to have opportunity. DS would never have suited grammar at all and we did pick a private school for him with small classes. Grammar is not the same.

victoriavictorious

fiisch wrote: »

Market Harborough is lovely, but being over the county border I don't think it'd have the advantage of grammar schools.

We've considered three corners(!) of England -

Kent (localish and grammar schools)
Wiltshire (near other half's family and where I'm from originally)
Lincolnshire (grammar schools, cheap house prices yet still commutable - at least on initial research)

Grantham area because of the train line, but wherever our next move we are thinking of a village, so wouldn't be considering Grantham itself, but more the surrounding villages within short driving reach of the station.

Market Harborough does indeed have good schools. Whether or not they are 'grammar', I'm afraid I have no idea but as others have mentioned, would that really need to be a dealbreaker?
A lot more pricey, but a bit further south on the Lincs/Cambridgeshire border (no direct train to London though; it would involve a change at Peterborough) is the wonderful historic town of Stamford.

Smodlet

victoriavictorious wrote: »

Market Harborough does indeed have good schools. Whether or not they are 'grammar', I'm afraid I have no idea but as others have mentioned, would that really need to be a dealbreaker?
A lot more pricey, but a bit further south on the Lincs/Cambridgeshire border (no direct train to London though; it would involve a change at Peterborough) is the wonderful historic town of Stamford.

Helluva lot more facilities in P'boro (probably more immigrants too but if the OP is used to the Smoke, also probably not a factor) Stamford is pretty to look at but I think the property prices are over inflated for what you get.

sheepy21

The only point I'll comment on is the school one, I hate to say it but your child might not be the sharpest crayon in the box and it isn't something you'll know for sometime. And to be anticipating that in 10 years time they'll have the academic strengths for grammar school is one hell of a leap. You don't know what hand your child will be dealt.
I'm smart, have qualifications coming out of my ears, but my son is very developmentally behind, and as bright as I know he is, I wouldn't assume he could pass grammar school tests in a decade. So all of that in mind, look into great mainstream schools

quantumlobster

Doozergirl wrote: »

You've mentioned trains, but not the motorway.
Grantham looks a long way from the faster motorways that enable you to access that family more easily.

It's basically next to the A1.

Smodlet

sheepy21 wrote: »

The only point I'll comment on is the school one, I hate to say it but your child might not be the sharpest crayon in the box and it isn't something you'll know for sometime. And to be anticipating that in 10 years time they'll have the academic strengths for grammar school is one hell of a leap. You don't know what hand your child will be dealt.
I'm smart, have qualifications coming out of my ears, but my son is very developmentally behind, and as bright as I know he is, I wouldn't assume he could pass grammar school tests in a decade. So all of that in mind, look into great mainstream schools

They did away with grammar schools once; who is to say they won't do it again within the next ten years?

Red-Squirrel_2

Smodlet wrote: »

(probably more immigrants too but if the OP is used to the Smoke, also probably not a factor)

What an odd thing to say.

Doodles

We moved from London to Leeds (well, just outside it) 6 years ago. Never regretted it.

There are only 3 downsides for us, 2 of which you have already thought of.

1) Seeing friends down South. You will think you will see them more than you actually will in reality. Some friends will say they will come for a visit, but never will. More annual leave is used up from my allowance in going down to see friends, and there is no popping out for a drink, meal etc of an evening. All visits are planned in advance. I miss that spontaneity with my old friends.

2) Yes, you will most likely be priced out of the market if you wanted to move back. You will realise now ridiculous prices down South actually are!

3) Gigs/events - so annoying that certain gigs, events etc only happen in London/in the South!! ok that gripe is probably quite personal to us :-D


My advice is not to look at the move with rose tinted specs. You do get more for your money property wise. There is more space, beautiful outside space, scenery and it was enjoyable to us to learn the history of Yorkshire, about the mills, mining etc etc. It was a breath of fresh air after living in London for 40+ years for me.


But I would advise you strongly you don't let those factors blur your decision making on an area, as there are good and not so good places. Do your research properly and consider renting first so you can get a feel for an area (I speak with experience unfortunately on this part!)

Just my opinion and experience, but I hope it helps.