Anniversary of moving

I remember this thread from 2019 so well - everyone's trials and tribulations of moving!!!!

We had our five year anniversary in our new house and area a couple of weeks ago. We moved to be near to our daughter, son-in-law and new grandson and we looked after him a couple of days a week once Covid was out of the way. He's now at school of course - going into Year 1 in September.

Our biggest change has been that we now have another baby grandson - our daughter is now on maternity leave so it's lovely to be able to see so much of her and the baby.

It's worked out very well for us in the main. My husband is still happily volunteering a couple of days a week - on those days I accompany him into the city to have coffee and breakfast before he starts his shift. Our daughter and her baby and/or our other grandson sometimes join us.

We're happy with our house. I've loved developing the small garden, growing many new plants for it from seed and cuttings in my cold frames - it's always been my hobby, I don't miss our previously large cottage garden with orchard at all. This garden is so manageable and you can make massive inroads in just a day when necessary.

We found the heating system was not good, so have had it flushed through and new valves put on it. Also we deliberated long and hard about having a wood burner put in in the sitting room (we had one in our old period cottage) but eventually decided to go for the convenience of a wood burner look gas fire which is instant. We're so pleased with it.

The house had had new double glazed doors and windows but for some reason the large patio door had not been replaced, so we've just had a very robust new one fitted which gives a lovely view over the back garden, rather than peering through the misty blown glass!!!! I got my fitted wardrobe in my dressing room replaced - the old Ikea one was not fit for purpose and the doors kept getting stuck. The new one is mirrored and fitted with better shelving so I'm delighted with that.

The other plumbing issues include having a new shower fitted in the en-suite, a couple of new taps, an accessible new stopcock and a loo sorted out.

My husband has done some decorating - kitchen, sitting room, our grandson's bedroom, large bedroom and my dressing room. Further things that still need doing include small electrical works on ceiling and outside lights, a new stair-carpet and the hall, stairs and landing decorated.

Our village is so lovely and friendly, with it's two pubs, fish and chip shop and village shop. The bus stop is outside our house which is brilliant. We do still drive, but use the bus a lot. We have a library and our doctor's surgery a couple of miles down the road, which is great. The GP service is absolutely excellent and we can always get an appointment when needed. I've ended up going private for dentistry - no nhs dentists available, but that's absolutely the only downside.

Our neighbours are all lovely and friendly and we all get on well. I lunch with our lovely lady neighbour occasionally.

You never know how things will turn out - but we count ourselves very fortunate.

I really enjoyed following the thread when several of you were buying /selling properties. The night of the storm, when Shandy lost the roof of her bungalow was truly awful. I felt desperately sorry for her. Then she had the mould to deal with. It would be nice to hear from her again. I hope life is going well for her now.
Franbern, your move to the apartment was of interest to me because at the time I was considering a similar move. I had found a beautiful apartment, but it was some distance from my circle of friends. I decided to stay in my house, which in retrospect was the right decision for me. You clearly made the right decision for yourself. I've enjoyed reading about the changes you have made to your home.
Another thing I remember is when three of you met you put a photograph of your feet on GN. Wishing you all many happy years in your 'new' homes.

I don’t remember this thread, but then, my memory isn’t the best. Glad that all who have moved recently are settled and happy. 🏡

Aldom, you have a good memory of the "guess the feet" photo!
Yes, Franbern, we ate a Devon cream tea in a shelter on the beach. (I got told off by someone, probably covid obsessed, for placing my camping chair on the promenade walk to sit opposite you and Shandy!) I often drive past the first flat Shandy viewed and think of her.
I'm glad other people got some fun and information/inspiration from the thread. Sometimes on GN we feel we are just wittering to ourselves, but this was real shared grit! I'm pleased everyone on here has found happiness, apart from one, and has no regrets. I think I might have one further move left in me, maybe to a flat in the fullness of time, but who knows?

Sorry, I didn't mean that Shandy hadn't found happiness. I meant the posters contributing to this very thread.

I had forgotten the feet picture we all tried to guess who's feet where who's . I was very funny. I remember the thread filled up quickly with the set backs ,going forward and then all the things we where having done and in which order . Remember Craftyone and her make over of her large garden and planting fruit trees and her veg growing . She inspired me to grow veg and get a greenhouse . And when she came back as Karmalady we knew who she was . Love all her sewing projects on the arts and craft forum .

So glad I started this thread. It's been fun.

CountessFosco

How happy we are for you that this has worked out so well! For us, it has been the exact opposite : after 44 years living outside England, we returned for altruistic reasons. Totally unprepared for excessive waiting times on the NHS - 3 weeks to obtain an appointment with our GP, +11 months to see a neurologist. In France, we waited perhaps 1 hour. Our quality of life has deteriorated, the litter is appalling, the rioting is disturbing so much so, after 5 years of grinning and bearing life here, we are actively thinking of returning to France. Now ducking below the parapet for possible nasty responses.

Well it depends where you live i guess...I'm NW England....Nice little town .....easy access to big cities......an hour away from the lakes, Wales and Yorkshire dales .....love it here ...can always get same day appt with gp if you phone at 8.30 .....live within 15 mile distance of a cancer hospital , childrens hospital, heart and chest hospital, womens hospital, orthopedic hospital, dental hospital, eye hospital, tropical medicine hospital, and several general hospitals....and we have one of Europe's leading neurological hospitals on our doorstep ( my DD was referred and seen by a neurologist in 4 months) .....if you not happy then definitely move ...lifes too short to be where you are not happy....but life is good where I am in the NW .
Think you now in NW too Whiff?! ....happy anniversary...and wish you many more happy years to come 😊

I used to read the threads about you all moving as we were thinking about it at the time. I remember Craftyone and her veg and often wondered what had happened to her - now I know!

It's nice that most of the moves turned out so well after all the angst and let-downs.

LOUISA yes I am in the north west my neurologist is at the Walton Centre and my cardiologist at Aintree hospital. If I hadn't moved here I wouldn't know the name and cause of my disability nor would I know I was born with a hole in the side of my heart.

I love it here and never known such warm and caring people. Where I live is close to buses and local train links ,shops etc. Never had such good healthcare. My bungalow is my happy place. Have family and friends who care . Only blip is the estrangement from my son and 3 grandson's but he choice that I never saw it coming . But my husband dieing hurts more than what my son and daughter in law have done.

See my daughter and 2 grandson's weekly and my son in law when he's not working.

I have done and still doing the things I set out for myself when I moved. My craft group at my local library,sit fit class round the corner from me and go to The Brain Charity in the city for gel printing class. So 3 days a week are planned . But the weeks fly by and live my life to the full.

I followed your trials and tribulations 5 years ago. I remember being really shocked that Shandy got such a low price for her beautiful house. I hope she's now doing well.

Your stories Whiff and Franbern are very encouraging.

I am still in my big house with all its problems. I am keeping my options open and look at alternatives. I have an architect and a developer coming to visit this week.
I love my house's location but it's too big and expensive.
O

Pressed send too soon!

Our down-sizing venture all fell through on Saturday (people further down the chain). So fed up.

I'm pleased it worked out for you, Whiff. Maybe your experience will inspire me to carry on.

Well done you! So very good to hear such an uplifting tale on here. Inspiring to think that one day I'll feel that I'm living the kind of life my late DH would have wanted for me.
Enjoy!!!

So pleased to hear that it all worked out so well for you Whiff.
It's almost four years since we downsized and we're also very happy, close to two of our children and living in a very manageable home once our huge renovation was finished.
I'd urge anybody who is thinking about moving to do it whilst they still have the energy. Most people do eventually have to downsize, it's a big undertaking and not for the frail, but I don't personally know anybody who regrets it.
If you don't think you can manage it alone you can enlist help from family and friends to do a downsizing clear out and then employ a really good removal firm to do all the packing. Most people can manage the unpacking themselves, in their own time.

What a lovely post! Moving is just so stressful and it's heartening to hear most have eventually been pleased with the decision to do so.