Moving out of London

Moved to Bury in May. We were looking to move (back) to the north west for house price reasons and grandparent proximity for the little'un.

And I'd always promised myself I'd never live in the generic south east around London.

To be honest, I'd forgotten how much I love the north. You've got Manchester, which has all the city benefits of London and then all the small towns with actual character around, then lovely countryside. And - as far as I can tell - a lovely Mediterranean climate.

Oh, and I can get to football and rugby league games more easily.

Agreed, except the train is not as direct, but that’s not really too much of a pain. Bath is bloody lovely

^ agree with that. Currently in Bristol, and Baths high on the list when we next move.

Instagram feeds of cycling in the peak District is driving my desire to leave London .

Gram only shows the good bits

a lovely Mediterranean climate.

Mate of mine, resident of south Manchester, took on an allotment this year. He is ruefully shaking his head at the dismal yield of his carefully planted swamp taro.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyrtosperma_merkusii

Bath is bloody lovely

It was pretty grim on a Saturday night when I lived there, but that was nearly 20 years ago!

Bath rocks, Bristol isn’t bad at all

Doesn't it rain all the time in Bath? My mate's been there for ten years, he's a very soggy bastard... I think he hated it at first but managed to carve a niche out for himself eventually...

I haven't been here long enough to comment on Bath's dampness - just been hot so far.

There is a brilliant Nepalese restaurant in Bath, called Yek Yeti Yak.

Don't talk back.

Went there a couple of days ago as it happens - brilliant indeed. Having been embarrassed by the riches of London I thought Bath would be a bit of a desert, but there are actually a lot of nice places to go out and as it's summer most places in town are pleasantly buzzy every day of the week. I'm also loving the proper local high streets here. I have two within a 10 minute walk of my house, both with several decent cafés, a bakery, greengrocer, oldschool hardwear store, a restaurant or two and lots more besides. However I was most chuffed to find out there's a little brewery (Electric Bear) with taproom 10 mins away from home and work - can't wait to go and try it.

It’s not raining all the time in Bath, but you probably need a gravel/crud wet bike for wet days. The farm tracks and lanes are a blast.

I don't rate their beer too highly, but it's a good spot to have a tap room. Nice pub along the canal at Avoncliff and another on the way, ditto the two tunnels route. I think all the indy breweries in Bristol now have tap rooms, and are conveniently close to the railway path/ Temple Meads if you're into that kind of thing

That bad?

I'm on the opposite side. My last trip to Germany has shown me I don't want it right now. That said, might be on the cards if my mum gets frail :(

It's a case of 'you don't know know what you had till you don't' innit. I miss the UK right now despite all its foibles.

Tell me about Norwich. Mrs2wheels has decided that might be our next move. Or Ipswich - but just cos you can buy a badman house for relatively peanuts.

Norwich > Ipswich. Serious. I grew up in/near Norwich. It’s a nice little city but it is quiet. Not sure how happy I’d be going back now.

I like Norwich, I lived there for 6 years, its got some nice things but it soon feels small. I can think of far worse places to live...like Ipswich.

Don’t move to Ipswich, unless you work in insurance. Then the commute would be a walk.

Finally getting fully into the swing of things out here now. Had a couple of weekends free of family commitments in which to mooch about and enjoy our new (not that new) surrounds and it's been ace. Recurring conversation between me and my Mrs is now "Do you still wish we lived in London"? This rhetorical q is usually posed when we're all sitting on the quay in the sunshine eating ice cream. Or crabbing off the pier. Or flying a kite on the beach. Or just driving down a beautiful country road on route to a great local restaurant...

used to love going shripiming as a kid in Hastings do many people still go out at low tide ? I never caghut much but was fun your in Hastings right ?

Nah that’s me. Also enjoying the summer by the seaside though!

ah yes sorry mate, hope Hastings is good in the heat been for a swim? the drop with the pebble beach when the tide is up scared the shit out of me as a kid.
stick a couple of sun set photos up I rember it being v nice esp when the tide is way out. have a good summer

driving down a beautiful country road on route to a great local restaurant...

You monster