*sigh* this may take a while

Drawingaline

Our in laws moved to Wales. Near cardiff. Have not needed to learn Welsh! They won't be staying I don't think (long long story) but I have liked it when we have visited. 

I understand the wish to leave the home counties. Unfortunately all my family is here and we have a geat support network and a brilliant school for the smallest (and hopefully will be getting him into a specialist secondary) so won't be moving away anytime soon. However hubby is still working from home and only traveling in maybe twice a month so it may be something to look at down the line.

I would move to Scotland in a flash. I love it up there, but hubby would never agree. Sometimes being a partnership is super hard. There are definitely a few posters who live rurally in Wales, maybe try and connect with them and ask some questions?

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Thanks SH and DAL

I think DH and I having a midlife crisis... or a midlife 'stocktake' at least.  We've had young children for so many years, this busyness kept us from navel gazing too much.  Now we're lookiing around thinking 'why are we living here?'... for me, it's because DH refused to move and for him, he doesn't like big change and has stuck with what he knows.  Hopefully his current interest in moving doesn't wane as it's prompted hope in me that I won't always live in this area.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with the area, it's very pleasant... good schools, close to London etc but you really pay for that and we don't need to live close to London.  You have to earn a lot to live here and maintain the lifestyle and everyone around you is doing the same and it feels a bit relentless.  We'll see.

savingholmes

I really hope you manage to step off the hamster wheel into something that suits you all better

EssexHebridean

I'd say choose your area VERY carefully - South Wales probably mostly fine - North Wales there can still be a huge amount of hostility towards British "incomers" though I believe. Devon can be lovely - Mr OH comes from Dartmouth originally and it's a nice place to visit but I categorically would NEVER want to be there full time - there are folk living in that town who've been there 30 years plus and who are still very much seen as outsiders. The snobbery among many of the "natives" around the various areas of the town has to be heard to be believed as well. Definitely one for a whole heap of research, spending time in the places you're considering, too. 

hugglemonster

Howdy, just jumping on about possible move. I moved to North Wales 16 years ago and it's the best thing we've done. Absolutely beautiful place, plenty of work, lots to do and in easy reach of big cities if you want that sort of thing. No hostility from locals, we've slotted right in and are an active part of the community.

H x

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Thanks SH, DH and HM
This is the thing... we know this area so well... roads to live or avoid/schools etc and obviously everyone else in the country is the same.  If we didn't have the children, we'd sell up and rent to suss out the area.  But we can't because of schools and stuff... it would be a one shot thing.  We try and research, but going somewhere for the weekend is a very different entity. 
We went to north Devon at Easter, but because we had the children with us, we ended up in places like Woolacombe and Ilfracombe.  Lovely as they were, we were very much tourists.
Wales is so affordable, but we definitely want to be able to settle in and not be outcasts... I'm sure that's a common problem in any of the 'let's move to a beautiful part of the country' areas though.  They probably get sick of Southerners selling up their overpriced properties and swooping into their areas and outpricing them.  Understandable.

ohdearhowdidthathappen

I have a dilemma... I have tickets to see a well known ginger singer in London on the 25th and I was so looking forward to it.  But the rail strikes are making me twitch! Do I sell tickets, or do I hope the rail strike is cancelled?  There's no obvious way to attend without the train option... parking is sold out, local spaces are selling at £ 200!

JGB1955

ohdearhowdidthathappen said:

I have a dilemma... I have tickets to see a well known ginger singer in London on the 25th and I was so looking forward to it.  But the rail strikes are making me twitch! Do I sell tickets, or do I hope the rail strike is cancelled?  There's no obvious way to attend without the train option... parking is sold out, local spaces are selling at £ 200!

Are London Underground also on strike?  If not, I would park somewhere further 'out' on the Metropolitan Line and get the tube to Wembley Park.  Plenty of free on-street parking in the outer suburbs.

mark55man

Hillingdon Tube station just off the A40 Westway is pretty good/spacious, and direct to Wembley - it has a late end (like 4 in the morning) so you don't need to buy 2 days - its quite cheap on the weekend

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Thanks JGB and Mark

I'd assumed it would affect tube too, but have just googled and that doesn't seem to be the case.  Excellent!  I'll check out the stops along the Metropolitan line, including Hillingdon.  So pleased, I thought I might have to cancel
I've stupidly booked a shift for the following day, bad planning!