Has anyone relocated from the South East to North of England?

Blondetotty

Davesnave wrote: »

I'm suspicious of anyone who writes off whole swathes of the country, as in this post: "I’ve noticed when I head back down south to visit friends and family, people are so much more stand offish, abrupt and okay, they’re rude!"


There isn't one place called "The South" In my experience, there isn't even one place called 'Devon,' or 'Wiltshire.' Counties and areas are conglomerations of environments with quite distinct characters, even today.

The vast bulk of people visiting my part of Britain never come close to seeing the part where I am, so how would they know what it's like here?

I suspect when they're fighting their way through a traffic jam near Newton Abbot, clawing out a bank holiday space on the beach at Torquay, or paying for some overpriced croissants and coffee in Totnes (more jams!) they think its all like that.

Well, that's fine, let them!

Okay, I'll be more specific when I say "down south" for ease. I mean from Warwick services, down to friends and family in Winchester, Southampton, Hayling Island, Portsmouth, Chichester, Bournemouth, Poole, Hythe, Cadnam, Totnes, Exeter, Ivybridge, Salisbury, West Lulworth & Ringwood. I hope that clarifies.

Skiddaw1

Just wanted to say- watching this thread with interest as we're in process of selling our house in Berkshire and buying (if it all comes off- keep everything crossed) house in Cumbria.... it'll be fun to compare notes!!

chelseablue

Skiddaw1 wrote: »

Just wanted to say- watching this thread with interest as we're in process of selling our house in Berkshire and buying (if it all comes off- keep everything crossed) house in Cumbria.... it'll be fun to compare notes!!

Good luck! Where abouts in Berkshire are you?

pinkteapot

Skiddaw1 wrote: »

Just wanted to say- watching this thread with interest as we're in process of selling our house in Berkshire and buying (if it all comes off- keep everything crossed) house in Cumbria.... it'll be fun to compare notes!!

PM'ed you for a natter if you fancy it - we moved from Essex to Cumbria in December.

Hope it all goes well and you'll soon be up here in the proper north.

chelseablue

pinkteapot wrote: »

PM'ed you for a natter if you fancy it - we moved from Essex to Cumbria in December.

Hope it all goes well and you'll soon be up here in the proper north.

Sounds fab, are you enjoying it?

Was thinking this morning, Im 36 and could be mortgage free now if I moved.
Or mid forties if I had a smaller mortgage if I moved

Compared with mid sixties if I stayed here

iksbedd

This thread could not have come at a better time for me! We are going through the exact same predicament, except I have received a job offer today and need to make a decision some time next week!

We live in Surrey, house is worth £475k to £500k (3 bed link detached, tiny garden) and have a mortgage on it of around £230k (so roughly equity of £250k). We have a joint household income of around £83k (me on £75k and DH on £8k) and I have just had a job offer of £50k, in central Chester, so a £25k pay-cut for me!

We’re weighing up if it’s worth it. I’m originally from Cheshire (moved south 13 years ago), my family still live up there and I’m about to be an auntie in August. I have children aged 7 and 4 (currently year 2 and year R) that we’d need to re-school. Reasons for moving are to be closer to family and to get away from the South East workaholic/now, now now mentality. It’s not necessarily money-driven but the bit I’m umming about is that, having crunched the numbers, unless we buy a house not much different to what we have already (no more land etc) we’ll have much less disposable income. We were hoping for a bigger house, rural(ish) location and a bigger garden.

Help!

Davesnave

Blondetotty wrote: »

Okay, I'll be more specific when I say "down south" for ease. I mean from Warwick services, down to friends and family in Winchester, Southampton, Hayling Island, Portsmouth, Chichester, Bournemouth, Poole, Hythe, Cadnam, Totnes, Exeter, Ivybridge, Salisbury, West Lulworth & Ringwood. I hope that clarifies.

I think you somewhat misunderstood my post, I wasn't implying you didn't know the south well enough, I was pointing out that the lesser-known parts, especially the non-city locations are where one finds communities that are friendlier, not stand-offish and less affected by the impersonal nature of much modern life.

If we examine your list, those in blue are either cities or touristy/coastal hot spots: Winchester, Southampton, Hayling Island, Portsmouth, Chichester, Bournemouth, Poole, Hythe, Cadnam, Totnes, Exeter, Ivybridge, Salisbury, West Lulworth & Ringwood

....which just leaves Ivybridge and Cadnam, both close to cities on major routeways, so still very much affected by the push & thrust of commuter living.


As a young person, I chose to live in a southern city that was a very pleasant place 40 years ago. Many people still think it is, but I tired of the traffic jams, parking issues and thousands of tourists and students who altered the place, making it less affordable, and not just for housing.

So, I moved to a quiet rural area with more affordable housing and no big issues with traffic, second homes etc. I immediately noticed how friendly people are here, but I'm sure it's far from unique.

It's my contention there are thousands of communities up and down the land similar to this one.

chelseablue

iksbedd wrote: »

This thread could not have come at a better time for me! We are going through the exact same predicament, except I have received a job offer today and need to make a decision some time next week!
We live in Surrey, house is worth £475k to £500k (3 bed link detached, tiny garden) and have a mortgage on it of around £230k (so roughly equity of £250k). We have a joint household income of around £83k (me on £75k and DH on £8k) and I have just had a job offer of £50k, in central Chester, so a £25k pay-cut for me!
We’re weighing up if it’s worth it. I’m originally from Cheshire (moved south 13 years ago), my family still live up there and I’m about to be an auntie in August. I have children aged 7 and 4 (currently year 2 and year R) that we’d need to re-school. Reasons for moving are to be closer to family and to get away from the South East workaholic/now, now now mentality. It’s not necessarily money-driven but the bit I’m umming about is that, having crunched the numbers, unless we buy a house not much different to what we have already (no more land etc) we’ll have much less disposable income. We were hoping for a bigger house, rural(ish) location and a bigger garden.
Help!

Do you have to have to be semi-rural? I think that's what pushes prices up
I don't know the area at all but you could get a bigger house for less money: https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-75697922.html

I know kids have to make there own way in the world but Im starting to think if we stay down here how will our son be able to buy anything without having a 100k a year job

And I wouldn't be able to help much, I've got my mortgage until I'm 65:rotfl:

iksbedd

chelseablue wrote: »

Do you have to have to be semi-rural? I think that's what pushes prices up
I don't know the area at all but you could get a bigger house for less money:

I know kids have to make there own way in the world but Im starting think if we stay down here how will our son be able to buy anything without having a 100k a year job

And I wouldn't be able to help much, I've got my mortgage until I'm 65:rotfl:

The idea was to lead a better life..... more rural is part of that for us - more open space, countryside etc. Otherwise we're swapping one suburbia for another.

You make a good point too about kids; I don't want them to grow up into the pressure to have everything down here and not have time for people :A

gingerdad

Would suggest Garstang and areas of the Ribble Valley / Forest of Bowland.

We live slightly further north and close to the village you get !!!!!! all for under £400k