I have some close friends....I will not say who or what they are in relation to me. It is more of a close and personal thing. 🙂
I just want some ideas regarding an important decision making process.
For any Lifers that have moved up north. Can you please provide this thread will relative pros and Cons regarding the outcome of a big decision like this one.
Key points;
Are you better off financially?
Are you, overall, happier?...(relative to this particular decision)
Are there things that you miss....a bit too much?
Was it a mistake?
Do you look at the positive side regarding the fact that you can go to more away games? The northern sides will be more local etc.
Do you wake up every day a bit earlier...feeling a bit more optimistic about the day ahead?
Was it a good "fresh start"?
More atmospheric? People more friendly? Fun things to do? Good for families? Less traffic? Less danger? Less light and air pollution? Less congestion? Less expensive?
I'd love to hear what you have to say in regards to this.
It will really help.
Thanks 🙂
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Comments
Roland response "huh"???
I now live in an area not dissimilar to Bexley, the cost of living is cheaper I would say but not significantly so, however you should be able to get much more property for your money than in the South East. You'll have the East Coast mainline into Kings Cross which takes 2hrs 55 mins with Leeds and Bradford Airport not that far. I've averaged about 12 away games a season in the North and Midlands for the last four seasons up here but with live streaming these days you don't need to miss hardly any games and of course CL always keeps you in touch with the latest news and views.
Life is what you make it, if you are outgoing and make friends easily you'll have no issues. Whatever other hobbies you have apart from following Charlton keep them going and join those organisations near you. York is a fabulous City and the countryside is stunning if you like the outdoors. One thing for sure though is that I am glad my young grandsons are growing up in this part of the country which I liken to as 'old England' because South East London is not the same as when I grew up there.
Hope this gives food for thought and if you do decide to migrate Northwards, relish the challenge and don't look back because reversing the move won't be easy. All the best.
Just get out of town when the Ebor festival is on.
I moved to West Yorkshire four years ago with my now wife. We were renting a one-bed flat in Royal Arsenal at the time and after looking at a few local properties and deciding we didn't really fancy living in Gravesend just to afford something, we moved north. We bought a five bedroom house overlooking beautiful countryside for the price we would have had to pay for a one-bed flat in Thamesmead. No brainer. To answer your other questions...
Are you better off financially?
Yes. Don't believe the myth that you earn less in the north. We both work in and around Leeds and both got pay rises. Look at it this way - companies are smaller, lower head count, cheaper office space = you get paid more. If you're good enough, you'll get paid. Granted, competition can be fiercer for fewer jobs. I found that employers were quite intrigued by the whole moving from London thing and the fact I'd worked for and with some big companies.
Are you, overall, happier?...(relative to this particular decision)
Absolutely. The pace of life is definitely slower and that took a little bit of getting used to but you'll soon adapt. People are generally nicer - you can even walk through a train station and get on the train without your head down! I'm very grateful for where we live. York is a fair trek from us still but it's a lovely city with lots going on and good connections to the the north and London so there's no excuse to not visit them!
My big advice would be to throw yourself into everything socially at first. Work events, sports, beers with neighbours, clubs etc.
Are there things that you miss....a bit too much?
Of course there is. I remember when I first moved, I said to a West Ham mate that I'm going to miss going to Charlton more than anything else - I'd been a regular and season ticket holder for over 20 years - but he said you'll soon get used to it, and I did. Charlton Life is also a massive help. Perhaps Roland has helped a bit there but it's not as tough as you think and there's actually quite a few Londoners, and, more specifically, Addicks up north. I try to get to as many northern away games as I can (useful for Donny last week) and probably still get to 2-3 home games a year.
On top of that I obviously miss friends and family, but, you'll find that you become a bit of a novelty to people and everyone wants to come and visit. I do not miss London itself. I remind myself of that every time I have to get a train down.
Was it a mistake?
No way. I'd do it again and again. I actually think we may end up further north one day, maybe even Scotland.
Do you look at the positive side regarding the fact that you can go to more away games? The northern sides will be more local etc.
Yes - as I said earlier -easy to get to Yorks and Lancs away days. I've even been to a few Millwall and West Ham away games to see my mates - useful for them to stay with us as well for those away days.
Do you wake up every day a bit earlier...feeling a bit more optimistic about the day ahead?
Yes. Commuting into Leeds is far less stressful than commuting into central London on the train. Less people, easier, quieter commute with less entitled dickheads. And I do get up earlier actually and have a nice little routine in the mornings.
Was it a good "fresh start"?
Yes, we're very happy and since we've moved here, bought the house, we've got married and are expecting our first in September - who will be a Charlton fan. Obviously.
When you do it, you'll be asking yourself why you didn't do it sooner.
Cheers
Twitter as well - https://twitter.com/YorkshireAddick?s=17
Schools, trains etc look decent, house prices not too bad.
They're the next towns along. Guiesley is more of a commuter town. Plenty there, pubs, restaurants, shops and quick access to some nice walks. My brother-in-law lives there and I quite like it. Definitely cheaper to buy there than Ilkley. It's ten minutes on the train to Leeds. Menston is inbetween the two (have you looked at Oltey as well? No train station there but a big bus station). Much smaller town and not as much going on in Menston but again, some nice pubs and quick to Leeds.
There's nice places everywhere in this country and every part of the country has it's grotty bits.
The only thing as an advantage over where I live at present is house prices, every day stuff is pretty much the same in a small country like ours. But that no longer matters to me, I don't need a bigger house and my present one is quite central to all the bits me and the wife need.
There are some very big obvious disadvantages about moving from the south east, probably why 1/6th of the total population lives in this corner.