Life after London
With so many Londoners now keen to make the move after experiencing lockdown in the Capital we are seeing more people weighing up the pros and cons of leaving the familiar behind. The main drivers for the move are:
- A bigger home which can accommodate two people working from home
- Excellent schooling options – with a real choice of schools at primary and secondary level
- Green space to enjoy walks, runs, cycle rides, access to woodland, National Trust properties, open fields
- Access to variety of golf courses, tennis clubs which don’t require a stressful booking system
However, alongside the excitement of setting up a new life there is always concern as to whether the move will be the right choice and what will life be like after London?
We recently moved a London family to Gerrards Cross who were keen to see the benefits of moving out of London but who were initially not 100% convinced about leaving the London lifestyle behind. The husband was a ‘born and bred Londoner’ and was anxious to know that Buckinghamshire would offer everything he already enjoyed and more. In addition to the benefits above, we asked the couple to make a list of their positives and negatives post move.
The additional positives were:
- A bigger home with off-street parking
- Schools – outstanding state primary schools, excellent private schools with huge grounds and a choice of highly regarded grammar schools
- Horizontal living as opposed to tall narrow Victorian townhouses
- Access to green space, woodland walks, cycle rides with choice of country pubs
- Cycling/horse-riding/golf/sporting facilities on the doorstep
- Sense of community in the local area and people smile!
- No yellow crime scene boards as often seen in their London borough
- “Being able to breathe” – fresh air and less hectic pace of life
And the negatives were:
- Longer commute to work – on the days that they went to the office
- Less choice in terms of restaurants, bars and socialising
- Fewer theatres/cinemas/art galleries
In addressing these negatives:
For those who are still reliant on the daily commute to London we understand that commuting times are essential when it comes to making the move. At Chiltern Relocation we know that proximity to a good station is essential for many of those moving out of London and we have a fantastic record of finding homes close to the station yet down a private road or a leafy cul-de sac so that the feeling of being in the countryside is not compromised. (We have a huge range of Free Area Guides on the Chiltern Relocation website and they all highlight commuting times).
In terms of less choice regarding restaurants and cultural opportunities it is worth looking at the bigger picture. For all the positives there will be a few downsides but in reality the market towns of Bucks and Berks offer a fantastic range of independent restaurants and the larger family friendly chains. The jewel in the crown of making the move has to be the huge range of excellent county pubs on the doorstep with the accompanying country walks. We also have a wealth of Good Food Guide restaurants in Bucks, Berkshire and Oxfordshire see link here.
Although we do not have the West End on our doorstop many of the larger theatres in High Wycombe and Aylesbury preview the productions before they head to the big smoke or indeed after a West End run (at a fraction of the price). Smaller theatres in Windsor and Chesham also showcase excellent independent shows which are well worth seeing. So when theatres start to reopen there will certainly be a lot of choice.
Despite the initial worry about making a fresh start our clients have found that the pro’s far outweighed the con’s. In these uncertain times the couple also felt their needs had changed and evolved post move as they were embarking on a new outdoorsy lifestyle. However they felt that they had ample access to cinemas, bowling alleys and shopping opportunities. As for art galleries – well that would be an excuse for a day trip to London!
Getting settled….will I like it!? It is a big leap into the unknown but if you have done your research regarding best areas, commuting times, leisure facilities and schooling options then the rest will fall into place. We often find that our London families are initially taken aback as to how friendly and welcoming they find the local community but soon realise that – although a greater sense of community was not on originally on their ’pros list’ – it is the surprise extra that has really made the move such a success.
If you are thinking of embracing life after London and would like some advice regarding the best area for you and your family don’t hesitate to get in contact on – 01494 672086 or email enquiries@chilternrelocation.com
