Tom and Barbara Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 .....at the request of Lesley, I'm starting this topic for discussions about making the Big Move.......... I've been living in the centre of Bristol but recently made the move to Wales which I love - much greener, less angry people, less greyness! But after coming back from my *counts them* 9th holiday to Pembrokeshire last week, We've decided that we're going to take the plunge and look at moving there permanently. The whole pace of life is so much better there and I love the idea of having room for my girls (and a few more besides ). We both think it'd be so much a nicer place to bring up a family too. The main thing would be finding work. I don't mind the isolation at all but the idea of not having a support network for a young baby (don't have one yet!) does make me wobble a bit........the benefits must outweigh the bad points though....don't they? ......answers on a postcard.... Has anyone else made the Big Move or thought about it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 Are you in Wales now? Your profile still says Bristol? We were looking at buying property in France to live in permanently, when I became a Grandma. My daughter and SIL live in the same village and I've cared for both my Grandchildren since they were 4 months old for two days a week. I couldn't bear to move away at the moment but we look for something locally with at least a couple of acres every time we are out, and scour the local property pages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 Going by Kaz's map there's a dearth of eglu's in Wales- maybe you could be an eglu ambassador Claire I can quite understand the motivation to move to Wales, much greater quality of life, more space and so on. My only comment and this is probably highly unfair, but as a child (ie a very long time ago now) my sisters and I had to live with my Welsh grandmother for a year... and I hated it. Bullied at school for being English, and people in the local shops or whatever would deliberately speak only Welsh when English people came in. OK it was their first language and their country, culture etc, but they were bilingual. My parents came to join us after a while but Mum couldn't settle in at all, never really felt accepted. I suppose I mean that some of the locals can be a bit insular and very protective of their language and culture, especially outside the cities, and that becoming an accepted member of the community might take a bit of work. That said it's a beautiful country, with a little bit of everything, country, cities, mountains, spectacular coastlines and wonderful clean air. Go for it, and good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 I agree with Kate. At least Kate lives to tell the tale through experience, and it's much better to regret something you have done, than not to know at all. I think it will be a wise move before you have children, as they will grow up knowing all things Welsh. I'd move there tomorrow, we holiday in Wales every year and love it. And as for a job, if you are considering starting a family soon, then work will take a back seat anyway, and it will mean a totally fresh start for you with nothing to look back on, only looking forwards. I did hear a radio program a while back on 'outsiders' moving into Wales, and how they were forcing house prices up so high that the local people couldn't afford to move, and as a consequence there were a minority of local people who never took to someone who had moved in from 'the outside'...but it will be just a minority. You'll soon make some good friends and create a good network of people around you by being involved in the local community. Follow your heart and you'll not regret it what it tells you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom and Barbara Posted November 15, 2005 Author Share Posted November 15, 2005 oooooo meetings! how they get in the way of my forum time My profile was a case of fingers working faster than brain - I work in bristol so put bristol as thats where i always am when i write! i have found that there is a lot of anti-english attitude where I am, particularly due to the rising house prices caused by commuters like me *hold my hands up* I've even had one of my neighbours say 'you may be English but you work hard!' But Pembrokeshire has been called 'little england' in wales and they do seem to be more tolerant. i've only heard anger towards 'wealthy, middle class (of which i'm neither!) english' moving in and putting nothing back. I'd love to help out with national park or welsh heritage trusts or even work the land! I would like to have a family soon (sorry Dave if you didn't know that!) because my parents are now in their 70's and I'd like them to be able to spend time with my children - something they wouldn't be able to do as much if I moved........... it is my dream though and it is entirely possible to make it work at the point we're at....so watch this space! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 I love Pembrokeshire! It's one of my fave places. I would love to move out to the country, but am tied to Banbury as my ex would go mad if I moved Rosie away from him. When I was still married, we moved up to Banbury from London when the ex's job moved up here. I love it here and the quality of life is so much better too. You will find a network of mums when you have a baby - you meet people at ante-natal and NCT classes, plus when you are in hospital. Also, everyone seems to want to help out when you have a little un. Good luck and keep us updated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom and Barbara Posted November 15, 2005 Author Share Posted November 15, 2005 thats a bummer at least you love it where you are.....my geography's terrible i'm afraid i've no clue where is Banbury? Thats a good point about meeting other mums. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 It's in the middle of the country on the M40 between Birmingham and Oxford. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 I would have moved anywhere when my hubby was looking for a job "overhere" as he is from Belfast, but we ended up only about 15 miles from where I grew up Definately go for it , and it's true getting involved in the local community and hopefully mums and tots or toddler groups is the best way to get new friends. Karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 Tom and Barbara, sorry to say we lived there and couldn't wait to get back 'home'. It was very cut off and we found alot of english folk escaping their weird past!!! We are weird but not quite as odd as the folk we met. I also spent my late teens until my early 20's in pembrokeshire so I know it quite well. That said we may need different things so it could be perfect!! BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom and Barbara Posted November 16, 2005 Author Share Posted November 16, 2005 ooooo was it just the isolation and weird folk (we did meet one or two 'eccentric' people actually)? what else didn't you enjoy? i'm keen to hear both sides of the argument. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 What an interesting topic! We want to move elsewhere eventually,but I love it here & I really want the childrens education to be consistant, so we probably won't think about moving for a while yet. That said, The Hubby is forever looking up places both here & overseas & saying how wonderful they are & how we should just up sticks & go. He is in the builiding trade, so can fix any house up beautifully,& we could get a lot for our money if we moved....... But, I have a gut feeling that we should stay for the moment. Also, we can't decide WHERE we would like to live ,so that sort of puts an end to it until we can agree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom and Barbara Posted November 16, 2005 Author Share Posted November 16, 2005 oooo you're so lucky he's a builder - I love the idea of converting a place! One of the properties we looked at last week was a church for £15k!!! you could demolish it, convert it, anything you fancy - the only condition was you had to allow people to still have funerals in the graveyard I'm ok at the DIY, I'll have a go at anything but i think that may have been a tad too much for me. Quite fancy abroad too....like Lesley, France appeals to me a great deal ...that is FRANCE appeals to me....not Lesley.......not that Lesley doesn't appeal to me........oh dear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 oooo you're so lucky he's a builder - I love the idea of converting a place! One of the properties we looked at last week was a church for £15k!!! you could demolish it, convert it, anything you fancy - the only condition was you had to allow people to still have funerals in the graveyard I'm ok at the DIY, I'll have a go at anything but i think that may have been a tad too much for me. Quite fancy abroad too....like Lesley, France appeals to me a great deal ...that is FRANCE appeals to me....not Lesley.......not that Lesley doesn't appeal to me........oh dear Goodness, I could NEVER live in a converted church....too creepy for words! Hubby is keen on France, but I am not too keen on the French.Not sure I could live with them for too long (sorry if I have offended any French people out there!) Somewhere warm & sunny,with nice defined seasons,good food,nice people,gorgeous countryside,cheap properties,cheap fuel,Broadband everywhere,rivers for fishing,remote but not too far from civilisation,Marks & Spencers,decent music & TV ,good shopping & lovely beaches....THATS WHAT WE NEED! Anyone know anywhere like this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 ooooo was it just the isolation and weird folk (we did meet one or two 'eccentric' people actually)? what else didn't you enjoy? i'm keen to hear both sides of the argument. Pembrokeshire isn't necessarily representative of all parts of Wales, we found aot of people 'escaping' from something or had been born and raised there, unlike us. We couldn't gel I suppose but importantly Mikey was away most of the time and I was alone, so my view is from that perspective. Think anywhere you love for holidays can be quite different when you live there, I love the sea but being near to a lovelt beach just wasn't enough. The winters can be long. Please don't let this put you off, you can make your dream. BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 I made the move too - sort off I am from Scotaland moved to England (Oxford) when I was 8 and came 'home' when I was 29. I love and hope I never have to live 'down south' again Nothing personal southerners I just like it here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 We're into converting churches too Sarah, Phil and I often stop on a trip when we see an abandoned chapel and go scratching round it. We got caught last time, but the chap was nice and told us a bit about the property. Phew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 Churches are gorgeous buildings,I remember a fab conversion on Grand Designs....I think it was in Ireland.........it was just stunning. But, I could not live in one as a home. It makes me shudder just to think about it But then, I wouldn't want to live in a brand new home with no history either. The cottage we are in now is 120 years old, & was used as a refuge for one of the great Train Robbers (apparantly!) My ideal house would be one of those big old colonial style places with a wraparound porch,shutters on the windows & an air of understated elegance Its just a case of WHERE it would be,now!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 My ideal house would be one of those big old colonial style places with a wraparound porch,shutters on the windows & an air of understated elegance That sounds fab sarah - my taste too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 Of course to be ABSOLUTLY ideal, sean Bean would live next door,too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
