moving to the city

Thank you jing----ks, I hadn't understood at all that that was what you meant. I suppose I need to create visions of a lovely, cosy household in a beautiful place where everyone is happy and contented. Pretty unrealistic really.
I was surprised that you have known each other for several years, the newspaper article in which I saw the link to this site gave me the impression that it was new.

I think "co-housing" is a similar idea so it might be worth searching on that term.
I have moved from city (which I thought was very convenient) to a small town. I am really enjoying the fact that without getting in the car I can easily walk to:
doctor, dentist, baker, butcher, greengrocer, cafes, pubs, restaurants, bank, stationers, Waitrose, corner shop, post office and , in case of emergencies a chocolatier. The hospital is about a mile as the crow flies, should i need it. There is even a library, Where I lived before I did a lot more driving as most of the above not within walking distance.
Oh and we have our very own soap opera.
Best of all though, people are friendly.

janlamp the last sentence of your post - "this living alone scenario is just too miserable for words" - struck me as very sad. I was commiserating.

I think your idea would have more than just legal pitfalls!

Exactly my vision Soutra! I've been looking at beautiful large country houses for sale online and it would be quite cheap if divided amongst a group. I certainly take the point about legal pitfalls but surely a solicitor could work something out. All those interested please come forward and let's only hope nobody gets killed in the rush.

I think it would be a great idea and think it was Katherine Whitehorn or maybe Jilly Cooper who suggested something similar many years ago, The idea was to buy a beautiful large country house near somewhere nice (Bath ,Stratford, Canterbury perhaps) and that each person had to bring a skill/talent - music, cooking, gardening, craft, sewing, DIY whatever so some chores would be shared with bought in help so as not to make it onerous. Good looking young gardeners would be de rigeur of ocurse! The total cost would be a fraction of what you would pay for a nursing hme and it would be a heck of a lot more fun!
Bring it on I say!

I dearly wish I could! I was getting into the forum for the first time, had to stop to join and log in etc then couldn't find the same page again. I'm going to try in History.

janlamp so I can read the original post, could you tell us please who posted it in 2011

so sorry, I can't interpret the message from jinglbellsfrocks. it seems like dismay but will you spell it out for me?

I would expect the situation you talk about would have many legal pitfalls, Like who would own the building, while it might suit some I would not do it

Oh janlamp.

I've just joined and I read a comment sent in 2011 from a lady who had an idea similar to mine for setting up a building for like-minded people providing individual accommodation and also communal areas. She mentioned employing a nurse when needed and cleaners. She dreamt of having her own garden shed! I haven't been able to find the right page so far but even if I do, it was written 3 years ago. Is there anyone out there who would contemplate such an idea? I'm sure ANYTHING is easier when you join forces. This living alone scenario is just too miserable for words.

Mishap, whenever we've moved to a different area, we've always rented for the first six months, in order to find out where we want to live for longer.
When we sold in York, we rented on the outskirts of York and realised we had nothing to do and did not know anyone near us. So we moved up to Durham and rented for 6 months first to find out if we liked living in this village, near our son.
Then we bought a bungalow here.
Once, when we moved back to Hull, we even rented on Bransholme for 6 months. Those who know the area will know about that.

What Soutra says makes sense. There are advantages to living in a town or city. I like Bath or Cheltenham better than Bristol though. Does it have to be there?Southampton has a nice riverside development.Bristol is more lively though [with all the students, a bit too lively] and does have an airport as well, as does Southampton [though that has loads of students too.]

I think it can make good sense to move to at least a town as we get older as amenities like libraries/doctors/cinemas/restaurants/ shops which are accessible by public transport or a short taxi ride can relieve you of the necessity of a car or two cars and while I love the p[eace and quiet, not to mention safety of our village, on the few ccasions I have had to use public transport (e.g to collect car after its service) I was cold, wet and miserable after taking the best part of an hour and 2 buses to go 5 miles! DH no longer drives since his heart op and I have to take him to church or to the doctors or drive over to collect prescriptions and it is quite a tie. No easy solution as I am not ready to make a move, but I can understand those who do.

Renting to start with is a good idea - but it does mean a double upheaval if you decide to move on again.

Personally I would not go and live in a city, nor even a town; but I am a country girl at heart and have to have green around me - and see the sky.

That is the crux of the matter really - if you are excited by a bit of city buzz, as many are, and want shops and theatres etc on tap, then you will I am sure settle in fine; but if the country is where you feel at home, you will probably take a bit longer to feel at home.

Good luck with it all.

It seems a big jump from rural Gloucestershire to Bristol.
My husband's brother lives in Chepstow, which is just over the Severn Bridge. It seems to be half way in between and has good transport links, etc.
Can you rent for a year first to find out if you really want to live in Bristol?

I'll have been here 36 years this year and wouldn't move, if that means anything.

I live just outside Bristol in Portishead.bristol is ok, but it prefer where I am. It's quieter, has good transport into Bristol if I want and I have glorious views over the Severn estuary.
There is a very active social life here if that's what you want.
Personally I wouldn't live in Bristol itself.

I don't know Bristol that well but what I've seen of it I like.

It may take a little while to adjust to your new surroundings, particularly as you've been in Gloucestershire for quite a while. But I think there are huge benefits in moving to an area that has plentiful and easily accessible amenities. There is still lovely countryside surrounding Bristol and lots of nice places to visit.

I hope you enjoy your new home - good luck.

I don't know the area at all but I can say when we decided to sell our large family house I had the same misgivings its only natural that you do isn't it? Once you have made the move and started to settle your things in everything will fall into place. Enjoy your new home and the Harbourside setting we live on a The River Front and the outlook changes daily.