Big relocate... how did you decide?

[Tigger]

Me and my dog are planning a big* relocate/ change of career but I'm currently swimming in indecision I'm sure it will all pan out in the end, one way or another, so I'm not asking anyone to make my decision for me!! But I just wondered if anyone here has been through this? Where did you move from/ to? Did you do it or not? What decided you in the end?

* a relative term of course; I'm thinking Essex to the Isle of Lewis

[gaz]

Vorpal's previous thread may help: viewtopic.php?f=15&t=60753

It does beg the question of what is it about Essex that drives forum members away?

Hope things go well, whatever choice you may make.

[jezer]

Well, I would recommend rural North Wiltshire as being pretty good for quality of life. We have an excellent network of lanes for cycling, and of course one of the top clubs in the UK the roads are in a dreadful state, as I'm sure they are everywhere, but overall we enjoy life without too much pressure

[Tigger]

Vorpal's previous thread may help: viewtopic.php?f=15&t=60753

It does beg the question of what is it about Essex that drives forum members away?

Hope things go well, whatever choice you may make.

Thanks gaz, that thread pre-dates me joining the forum, just, so I thought vorpal had been in Norway for much longer! Interesting comments and weighing up. I particularly noted this from horizon;

vorpal: I cannot remember who said this, but there are usually only one or two good reasons for making a decision - all the other reasons are just make-weight and ten small reasons don't counter-balance one big one...

As for leaving Essex... why would anyone want to stay, really?

[easyroller]

But I just wondered if anyone here has been through this? Where did you move from/ to?
Did you do it or not? What decided you in the end?

Yes.

Australia to England.

Yes with (almost) no regrets, although the first year was tough.

Fancied a change of scenery so went for it!

[Psamathe]

In my case I've "relocated (and not relocated) several times. When younger my relocations/non-relocations were job/career driven and in many respects beyond my control (being a career oriented person in those days).

But then I realised what a waste of time being career oriented was so retired when my relocations became a matter of choice.

1st: Looking for something very different with new experiences and challenges so I purchased a house in and moved to France. And after 4 years felt I'd had a fabulous time, loads of experiences and it was time to move to new challenges ("itchy feet syndrome").

2nd: Back to UK, and great fun and after 5 years those "itchy feet" are starting-up again.


For me, important factors in deciding where to go included:
a. Cost of housing: no point in moving somewhere where every penny goes on basic living expenses (e.g. house) so you cannot afford to do whatever you enjoy. So reasonable cost housing was important.

b. Area. Different things matter to different people. For me it is being rural/remote/countryside/etc.

c. What's around. If you love e.g. sea based activities, best chose somewhere closer to the sea. If you love cycling, maybe avoid Central London, etc. i.e. can you do what you enjoy where you are thinking of moving to? And that includes things like weather, geography, cost of living, etc. And remember that your interests can broaden and change over time (e.g. as you get older) so is it an area where things "happen"? (I lived in the Netherlands for a year and the city where I lived was dreadful as everybody went home every night and stayed-in and it was dead. After work "going for a drink" was rare, etc.).

d. What sort of person are you (question to ask yourself)? Some people love new challenges and are more inclined to just get on with what they want whereas for others having organised stuff is more important. e.g. I just get on my bike and go for a ride; whilst others might prefer a local club that does suitable group rides for them - in which case you might need to check out local clubs and the sort of rides they do (no good if they do 50+miles and 15+mph when you are a 20miles at 10mph person), etc. Only you can decide these things (takes a bit of introspection).

There is no "right" answer. Everything changes. And wherever you go one aspect will always stay with you - you (i.e. some people "run away" to change a bad situation but fail because they have not changed and they were the root of the problem).

When I did my moves I was on occasion scared I was making a big mistake (e.g. quitting my job, retiring early on limited funds and no income, very uncertain about lots of things, etc.) but I realised that I would prefer living with having failed at something than living with the regret of not having tried (because I was scared).

And I doubt any of the above will help.

Ian

[Tigger]

Well, I would recommend rural North Wiltshire as being pretty good for quality of life. We have an excellent network of lanes for cycling, and of course one of the top clubs in the UK the roads are in a dreadful state, as I'm sure they are everywhere, but overall we enjoy life without too much pressure

Thank you jezer but there's a problem here - Wiltshire isn't on the Isle of Lewis

And I might add that the roads are pretty good in the Western Isles

Yesterday I saw an announcement: http://www.stornowaygazette.co.uk/sport ... -1-3339090 about the first Audax in the Hebrides - I'm planning to go up again in June so unfortunately I'll miss it though even the shortest, 110Km, is beyond my ability, at the mo.

[Vorpal]

vorpal: I cannot remember who said this, but there are usually only one or two good reasons for making a decision - all the other reasons are just make-weight and ten small reasons don't counter-balance one big one...

As for leaving Essex... why would anyone want to stay, really?

I think horizon was basically right. I would say the biggest reason for our decision to move to Norway was that it provided the best environment for our children. And, it was the right decision. We like it here, despite long winter nights and a pretty dreary winter this year. The quality of life is good, we live in a nice area, I like my job, and the cycling is good.

But, believe it or not, I miss Essex. I miss the country lanes, Papermill Lock tea rooms, the climb up North Hill, and Specialties Tea Rooms at Stisted. I miss venturing into Suffolk and wandering along the scenic byways. I miss my clubmates and friends and Colchester's lovely town centre. I miss hedgerows full of mayflower in bloom and rides to the zoo with two children in tow.

But we won't move back anytime soon. The reasons for moving here are reasons to keep us here. Norway is still an adventure, and I'm not yet fluent in Norwegian. I guess I've got to wear out a set of winter tyres, anyway.

[tatanab]

Since leaving the family home in 1977 I have moved house 13 times, moved countries 4 times, but from a career point of view each move was a case of I wanted to change the company I worked for or later in life it was changes in direction but loosely connected to the same career. I could not imagine dropping everything I know and going off doing something wildly different - even if I could get job in that different subject. But moving house and area is no big deal. I've been in my present house for 9 years which is the longest I've lived at any one address, and even though I no longer work I feel I have another move left in me which will probably be local (ish) because I like the area I am in now.

[jezer]

Well, I would recommend rural North Wiltshire as being pretty good for quality of life. We have an excellent network of lanes for cycling, and of course one of the top clubs in the UK the roads are in a dreadful state, as I'm sure they are everywhere, but overall we enjoy life without too much pressure

Thank you jezer but there's a problem here - Wiltshire isn't on the Isle of Lewis

And I might add that the roads are pretty good in the Western Isles

Yesterday I saw an announcement: http://www.stornowaygazette.co.uk/sport ... -1-3339090 about the first Audax in the Hebrides - I'm planning to go up again in June so unfortunately I'll miss it though even the shortest, 110Km, is beyond my ability, at the mo.

Ah, you've got me there. Some years ago one of my cycling buddies moved to the Shetland Isles. I see the occasional post from him on FB and he seems to love it, although I don't know if he is cycling these days.

[al_yrpal]

I have relocated quite a few times its always been career driven. I am retired now but have no intention of moving because I live in a beautiful place within easy reach of the coast several airports and London and the cycling around here is great. Essex is a beautiful county, its easy to access the rest of the UK London and the continent from there. . Lewis is lovely but I would be a bit nervous about the weather, particularly the wind, and also attitudes and religious beliefs which some might find tiresome after a while. I would also be concerned about the time difficulty and cost of getting abroad. But, I can see many attractions.

Al

[Tigger]

Easyroller: wow, Australia to England! I'd certainly consider the opposite direction if Scotland wasn't calling out to me!

Psamathe: Ian, on the contrary, what you say is very helpful and interesting. It's so easy to get stuck in your own 'mindset' which is why it's fantastic to be able to find out how other people view the same or similar situations. My potential move is a lifestyle choice rather than being career driven - which maybe makes it harder because I could actually move anywhere. You've pretty much summed it up here;

When I did my moves I was on occasion scared I was making a big mistake (e.g. quitting my job, retiring early on limited funds and no income, very uncertain about lots of things, etc.) but I realised that I would prefer living with having failed at something than living with the regret of not having tried (because I was scared).

Vorpal: I'm glad it worked out so well - though I suspected as much from your posts. Of course, you are right, there are some aspects of Essex which I will miss. The country lanes can be fantastic for cycling but with the ever increasing amount of traffic here there are always lots of idiots going too fast and passing too close, using 'my' route as a short cut to somewhere, and spoiling my outing. 'Traffic' is probably my Number 1 reason for wanting to move away. Venturing into the quieter lanes of Suffolk becomes more and more of a necessity. I know already that I will miss the greenery and particularly the trees - though Lews Castle grounds in Stornoway will provide my tree-fix when I need one! Yes, I will miss my own favourite tearooms - they are few and far between on Lewis - and I may have to start my own But I don't like shopping, and particularly detest 'shopping as a hobby', which is rife in Essex, so I won't miss Colchester or any town or city - other than for occasionally admiring its architectural qualities. But I can go and admire the Standing Stones of Callanish instead

One of the reasons I love this forum (though I do spend most of the time lurking) is the wealth of experience/ opinion out there - and the generosity of people in sharing their experience/ opinions. Opinions are just that, but they are nearly always presented 'nicely' on here, so they are a pleasure to read even if you don't agree with them!

[Vorpal]

Vorpal: I'm glad it worked out so well - though I suspected as much from your posts. Of course, you are right, there are some aspects of Essex which I will miss. The country lanes can be fantastic for cycling but with the ever increasing amount of traffic here there are always lots of idiots going too fast and passing too close, using 'my' route as a short cut to somewhere, and spoiling my outing. 'Traffic' is probably my Number 1 reason for wanting to move away. Venturing into the quieter lanes of Suffolk becomes more and more of a necessity. I know already that I will miss the greenery and particularly the trees - though Lews Castle grounds in Stornoway will provide my tree-fix when I need one! Yes, I will miss my own favourite tearooms - they are few and far between on Lewis - and I may have to start my own But I don't like shopping, and particularly detest 'shopping as a hobby', which is rife in Essex, so I won't miss Colchester or any town or city - other than for occasionally admiring its architectural qualities. But I can go and admire the Standing Stones of Callanish instead

I'm not a big fan of shopping myself, though I do like poking around second hand shops and iron mongeries. I just like Colchester as a visitor. I like the castle and the museums and medieval town centre.

It sounds like you've already made a decision. I wouldn't blame you, actually. I like remote places. I have sometimes thought about a way to work from home, or do consulting or something that would let me live in an old farm house somewhere. It probably won't be while I have children at home, though. Now, I would rather they had the opportunity to try lots of things, take music lessons, and play sports. Those are opportunities that are limited to nonexistant in remote areas.

Anyway, I wish you well with it. I know our own decision was stressful and difficult. It was one of the hardest decisions I've ever made in my life.

But I think, I would rather have tried, and realised that I didn't like it (and be looking for a move back to the UK, now) than not to have tried at all. If I hadn't given it a go, I think I would always have regretted it.

[FarOeuf]

I moved Edinburgh to Barcelona (twice), spent time in London, did a stint in the US and have actually worked on Lewis. Visiting somewhere as a tourist doesn't give you any real authority on what it's like to live and work in a place. Apart from buying a holiday home (again, giving a distorted view of a place), relatively few people get the opportunity to go and live in different cultural surroundings. Broadening your cultural experiences is only ever going to do you good.

I don't think you should pre-judge Lewis, or the people who live there. Regarding the supposition about religious beliefs there, well we all have a belief system otherwise things go right out of the window. It sounds like the OP is a bit bored of the belief system that produces 'work,eat,sleep,consume'.

Moving anywhere can work out or not, but it can also work out or not at this phase of your life. Lewis might just be the thing you need right now, but after a while (when you've detoxed from over-consumption) it might be time to try out something new. You're not taking on a life sentence, just enjoy it while it's enjoyable.

Can you imagine how excited your dog would be if you could explain it all ?

EDIT: for clarity

[LollyKat]

If you are fortunate enough to be able to work anywhere, and have no family ties to dictate where you live, then I would give it a try. You know the Hebrides well enough to have a reasonable idea of what you are getting in to, and at the end of the day if you didn't like it you could always move again.

Could you hedge your bets by renting your existing house in Essex for a few years (assuming you have one to rent) while you give Lewis a try? It would be a shame if later on you think "If only...." or "What if...."

Not many of us have the option of making such lifestyle choices. If you do, then go for it.