Moving from London to Bridport Dorset

From experience I would advise that you rent out your London home and rent in Bridport until you decide that you want to stay down there.

I love Bridport and also West Bay next door. I think the idea of renting for a while is a good one.

Please bear in mind that as you both age, you may not want to travel distances to see your children and grandchildren. Families are so busy these days, you could find yourself isolated. Keep where you are comfortable.

Bridport has a lovely artists quarter and a lively Art Centre, it is quite alternative, bit like Totness, good independent butcher and baker and The Bull Hotel, but it ain’t London. Nearest station Axminster I think but wonderful coastline nearby and of course West Bay of Broadchurch fame. If you don’t mind driving there is loads to do in Dorset, we have open Studios (arts weeks) biannually, good Farm shops and restaurants if that is your thing, there is a good street market in Bridport as well on a Sat but Dorset is badly served for public transport, there is no motorway and West Dorset does get clogged in the summer. The natives are friendly!

I wouldn't go too rural, you might feel very cut off. Renting is a good idea, especially to see how you like it in winter. You will need your car.

My friend's daughter and her family moved to Bridport about 2 years ago and my friend and her DH visit often to see their daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren. They absolutely love it and are seriously thinking of moving there themselves.

If you do decide to move give yourself time to adjust.
I've had to move so many times in my life (four times between UK and New Zealand plus several within the UK).
Each time I've found it takes 18 month to 2 year at least for me to settle properly - even when the move was my choice.

Inevitably you will miss your contacts and everything you enjoyed in London, so allow for that - but for some things you can go back: theatre, museums, visiting friends etc.

Try to integrate as much as possible in your new place; find out what's available that you truly enjoy, join clubs and societies. Participate in local events, volunteer perhaps so you don't feel so much like an outsider.

Hope it all goes well.

One thing which may be important to you as you get older: there are trains direct from Dorchester to London but, as far as I can see (and I'm prepared to be wrong) if you live in Bridport, you have to go to Dorchester first to catch any transport to London.

Be sure to check out the local bus service (you may not always be able to drive) how far the nearest GP is and a local shop. When choosing a house.

I second everything already been said. My aunt and uncle moved from London to Bridgnorth and found it quite a shock.

Make sure you move somewhere with good transport links, hospitals, shops etc. Your health can turn on a sixpence. My husband and I have aged 5 years since Christmas!

There is, or certainly used to be not long ago, a reasonable train service from Axminster to London. We've often stayed at Lyme Regis, near Bridport, and have picked up dds who've joined us there, from Axminster station.

I do not think the place you move to should be the "driver". You need a list of non-negotiables e.g. good transport links to DDs and to local amenities & not just by car.
If being in London, and all it offers, is important then you need good train service to London too.
We moved a little way out of London but mindful that there would come a time when driving longer distances & at night may become more of a challenge.. so a good train service was top of our list. Access to local amenities..in London bus and tube got you most places easily.. we are much more reliant on cars now.
Make your list and then look to see if there are homes you like that meet most of your criteria!

My brother lives in a village near Bridport. He and his wife only want a quiet life and that is what they have. Initially moving there from Liverpool they went out and about a lot, enjoyed the easy access to Devon and surrounding counties but after a few years they dont do that anymore and take Caribbean holidays instead. It might juts be them. I know when we moved to the Yorkshire Dales the first few years were great then when we had done everything a few times be started to get restless and need more stimulation so moved to a Market Town in a country area. I think the renting suggestion is a good one, try things out for a while. Good Luck.

Thank you Alima! B

Yes, already on to this... all seems well connected although not on the scale of London but I am expecting that difference! Thank you!

Thank you PECS! yes, links are pretty good. Train to Waterloo, 3 hours, and a half hour bus journey to Dorchester if not driving.. 'doable' ! No so good for Cornwall without a car but cannot have it all ways..B

Thank you Tee time! Thinking more and more that it will work, this change will be our choice so need to be positive. B

Hi Hillwalker70, thank you.. Glad to know that the natives are friendly, being isolated emotionally is one of the most scary things.. I am very active and they have a good Gym, Pilates class apparently, my thing..B

No not too rural is not for me! The renting seems a huge thing, think I would like to find my feet and settle, rather that thinking of another move after this one..TY

Thank you! This moving around is not appealing so renting sounds a lot of work although the idea of taking time to explore Bridport makes sense. However, I do feel we don't have the time to do much exploring at our age!!! All suggestions taken on board.. Thank you everyone..B

Thank you! Love the artistic side if living in Bridport so the more I think about it, the better I feel. Friendly people are important too.. B

Hi there
Did you actually move to Bridport in the end? Interested to hear how you found it, if you did. Thanks