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Wrote a response that was way too long, so have edited it:
Overall be rational and work out any move based on your set of circumstances.
These are some of the things that didn't occur to us, but have since been shown to be important.
- Don't assume the benefit of family nearby. Sound it out first - what are their expectations vs. their capacity to deliver to your expectations?
- Fertility treatment policy of the local GP and LHA - LDN GPs and hospitals will likely be good, outside will be a gamble. Check.
- Friendship support network - for your partner. Depending on what type of baby miniloin is it could be vital for her mental health. How far will the close friends moving there will be, are they your close friends, will their lifestyles match a yours, etc.?
(FYI I've assumed your partner is female and she'll be giving birth to any children. Apologies for the assumption if that's not the case.)
- Don't assume the benefit of family nearby. Sound it out first - what are their expectations vs. their capacity to deliver to your expectations?
hugo7-
Nah you're assumptions are correct. Point 2 hadn't considered - the first one has been discussed so fairly solid on that. Point 3 is a worry for both of us, partner has family and friends nearish but doesnt drive the reverse is true for me. Although I'm from Norfolk so it's like a bit closer to my friends there (but not really).
I couldn't wfh I manage an org of 100+ people all in London office, 1 day a week would be the max but I do have flexi hours (could start at 10 and finish at 4:30 to try and avoid some rush hour - make up time in the eve etc).
We're going to head up and see it this weekend. The ideal is still a detached/semi in or around Leytonstone, with room to increase size and a large garden which can have a self contained office/studio. #hensteeth
Tenderloin
@hugo7 @chrisbmx116 @Soul @Howard @cornelius_blackfoot and everyone else this is all really useful, the thoughts people have expressed are generally how I've been feeling. I hadn't ever considered moving out of London for 7 - 1o years but I just kind of fell for this place. Its beaut and there are some awesome schools nearby and it's got lots of nice green stuff around.
I suppose my thoughts were similar to @Soul in that my partners parents would be 20mins away and lots her family there plus some of our best friends are relocating nearby in the next year and we both work near to KX. BUT the commute from the house to station really is what gets me.
I'm not worried about the affordability aspect so much - but the stress of working pretty intense jobs, moving to a place we don't know people, lots of travel etc would be a worry