Hello, I wonder if anyone might have anything to offer on the question of moving to somewhere congenial!
We moved, this summer, after 30 years from a small city to a small town (pop. 13,000) with a lot of satellite villages in the south west. We've been renting for six months and my goodness, has that been useful in finding out about different areas, types of house etc.
At the moment we are renting a 4 bed detached on a small 1980s estate that is at the top of a hill (on the edge of town), the lower part of which is occupied by a 1960s estate which is perfectly smart but the houses are clearly much cheaper and you simply never see anyone out apart from school closing time (when they all seem to drive anyway!). The little estate where we live has more upmarket houses but again, you never see anyone and the guy next door is nice enough but also a bit of a fusspot. DH likes this house and, not being a great socialiser, wants to buy it - we have an option to do that and it is £70-80,000 cheaper than similar houses elsewhere.
The housing stock in the area is very varied and mostly sells like hot cakes. We've also looked at cottages in the villages which are often very attractive but tend to have small rooms, small gardens and to be tucked in tight against neighbours. Today we looked at another one of these, I liked it and especially liked the fact that people around were out and about, in their gardens, and several said friendly hellos.
Feeling slightly awkward saying it, I suppose the villages feel full of middle class types and where we are living (judging by the Co-op at the bottom of the hill) is full of very nice people, when you see them, but who I would guess we wouldn't have a lot in common with.
We can't go on renting our present house so are feeling pushed. DH who tends to always want the easy option, thinks we should just stay where we are. He is not the most sociable character, he's always had just a few friends and he is content to assume that he'll make friends through joining a choir, etc. I've always had quite a social circle (though I struggle to make friends and am not a Queen Bee, but I get there)and here I feel rather fed up of the endless twosome-ness and feel that a village-type house is likely to throw up more friendship and neighbourly relationships. There are houses in the villages too but DH doesn't like those because they are too regimented and have no character!!
Possibly this sounds a bit of a tangle but any insights and advice re moving into a new area and getting to know people would be gratefully received. I am getting a bit end of tether and can feel myself slumping towards the present house too but I suspect I would always feel a niggle about it. Thank you for reading.
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