Just about to exchange cold feet

youth_leader

That's a very good point lookstraightahead.  I was 42 when we moved here, and tearing my hair out with boredom for years.  Now I'm widowed and 64 I've accepted the limitations here,  I'm content I can go to the beach every day, and have Netflix. 

Drawingaline

It sounds like your son may cope better there than in a large city. If his mobility is fine he may enjoy quiet walks in the countryside, with trips to nearby towns and a city on occasion. Yes he will be reliant on you, but it may prompt some independence because it is less worryingly busy.

Seasons in life come and go, it doesnt have to be forever. 

onylon

I lived in a suburban village in my teens which had a slow, unreliable and expensive hourly bus service and no walkable amenities. I found it very stressful/claustrophobic and being trapped there with my family was not a good experience. I would never consider living somewhere similar again. 

I moved out of London last Christmas and chose a small commuter town with plenty of public transport and a few shops/pubs about 10 mins walk away from my front door. It's still been difficult to uproot and its and it's a huge change from living in London.

neet87

Yes I have lived/worked in the area in question (Beccles/Bungay/Loddon etc) for 15 years. It's very lovely, Beccles is a great market town and Earsham Street in Bungay is nice, as is the theatre. Nothing will be open late, Tesco in Beccles is probably the latest closing at midnight.

I would just make sure you have done your research regarding the road traffic. Some seemingly quiet road are actually very busy with commuter traffic and people drive quickly. I have seen lots of houses on these types of roads shifted in the boom of the last year. Also pay particular attention to the flood reports. Last Christmas there was significant flooding around the river Waveney. Houses I have never known to flood did and many more were close. It was a miserable and stressful time for those with low lying properties. 

I'm sure that as long as you have done your research, and aren't ignorant to the lifestyle change, which it sounds like you aren't, you will enjoy living here.

NameUnavailable

verytired11 said:

jusferbrowsing said:

I lived in Hoxne (Norfolk Suffolk border and close to Diss) for many years.

Most of my life I've been based in deep countryside different places in the UK and I love it. Clean air, crisp and fresh, dark nights and SO many stars, wildlife everywhere (I've had deer grazing my lawn quite a few times with foxes and hedgehogs regular visitors), many beautiful market towns and with the broads so close we bought our first boat (moored at Beccles, cheap too).

Downside... shopping, a round trip of x miles, the long dark nights of winter, snow (a 4x4 was a must have for us) but every spring I'd be in awe of the natural beauty of my surroundings. 

Give yourself a chance to adapt and you'll love it.

Thank you!  I have to say that anyone who I speak to who lives in the area around DIss and to the east stretching up to Beccles seems to absolutely love it.  Tbh I take my son everywhere in the car at the moment anyway, since he struggles with public transport, so perhaps it won't be so different and perhaps I can help him get a place in Norwich when he is ready to be more independent. 

Given what you have said at the start this seems a remarkable turnaround! I wonder if you have posted hoping for replies that reassure you that you're doing the right thing, and don't actually want to hear the negatives?

It's a massive move so YOU need to be sure it's right for you and your family. Nobody here can answer that, only you can.

OTOH what's the worst that could happen? If you don't adapt you can move again closer to one of the towns.

verytired11

Update:  Thanks for all your varied and helpful replies!  I decided to go ahead and exchange!!!  Weighing up the pros and cons I decided on balance that I would give it a go, and if it doesn't work out, I can sell up and move to Norwich.  There are so many advantages to the property we have bought, not least the space that allows my son his own part of the house, and the new life with my partner to live together and start the business we are planning.  I decided that if I stay in my comfort zone my life would pretty much stay the same as it is and being in my early 50's I feel young enough to try something new and am not quite prepared to say yet that life has nothing new to offer.  It feels like a now or never type decision as there is quite a big difference between being 50 and being 60.  There are downsides, but I am aware of them and so that should make it easier to find ways round them/put up with them. 

I am now super excited about the move, and so is my son, who has been happily ordering new furniture for his part of the house.  He is working with a psychologist to help him get more independent and they are going to carry on working together after we move, so I am hopeful that he will find a way to reach a level of independence he is happy with.  He has asked for a bike and my partner is going to teach him how to ride safely in the countryside - we could even get him an electric bike so that he could cover a fair distance reasonably easily.   I guess it's all about adapting and seeing how well we all do that.  My son loves nature and star gazing, so the move will also open up to him plenty of things that he doesn't have at the moment.  Fingers crossed! 

WoozieSioux_tse

Congratulations and good luck! It was rather clear last night round here and the stars were absolutely beautiful.... 

jusferbrowsing

Exciting times Good luck in your future home.