Anniversary of moving

I was one of that group five years ago. At the age of 78 years moving from my lovely little house in Chingford to a flat in Weston-super-Mare. Having always lived in and around North East London, there was concern about me making this move. Particularly, as a similar 'move to the country' for my brother and sister-in-law was proving extremely unsuccessful.

The daughter who lived in WsM obviously, was very keen in me coming there, her older sister in Chingford, was totally opposed to it.
Can far too easily remember that very stressful time, solicitor not being totally professional. Buyers changing their minds well along the process. Just a few weeks before contracts were to be signed I had a cancer scare. Had the results been positive I had decided to cancel the move. Fortunately they were not and everything continued to proceed.
Even the last few days were horrible, Small chain, just three of us, but the ones at the bottom, used one of these -'on-line' conveyancing services, and when contracts were all signed they could not be founds for exchange.

But the move did go ahead - end of October,2019 and from the first day in this lovely flat I knew I had done the correct thing. Just living on the one level made my life so much easier.

Over the past five year I have had new bathroom new kitchen new en-suite, new flooring, some new furniture. electrified garage door. Next week will have new central heating combi-boiler. Next year, hopefully, will have decorator in to paint living room and hallway.

My flat is large and very light and airy. Have a patio balcony, very private as it has a small wall round it. I absolutely love this flat, feel relaxed and happy all the time I am in it. It is located very centrally in the town and using my mobility scooter I can get around to park, beach, library, shops, museum very easily. Buses stop outside and station is less than a quarter of a mile away.

Some three years back I got rid of my car - a big step for me. Use public transport both for local visits and for going up to London to stay with daughter. She now admits she was wrong and coming here was one of the best things I could have done.

Whereas, one of my AC live just round the corner, her children as they grow up are moving away, so only see other AC twice a year and g.children once a year. They do all keep in close touch with me.

Sadly, growing older also means that I have fewer and fewer friends and those that are still alive are not able to make to make the long journey to visit me. I have joined u3a and other groups and am kept busy and happy with different groups that I belong to.

Having also taken on the voluntary role of secretary of my flats management company - I have had a steep learning curve in conveyancing over the past two or three years as I now deal with vendor solicitors as any of our flats are sold.

I must say that, I am enjoying these times here in this lovely flats in WsM. I have no ambition to live to be very old. Maybe another two or three years to see more of my g.children graduate and settle down into their adult lives.

Next year my two youngest children (twins) achieve their 50 birthdays, and a large family weekend is being arranged to celebrate that. The following year I hope to celebrate my 85th. After that..........who knows???

Katyj, sorry for your loss. Onwards and upwards. Enjoy your house.

By the way, I was Ellianne, but had to change my name because there was another poster on GN with pretty much the same name.

I was part of the moving gang 5 years ago. Three of us met up during covid. One of us was still house hunting at the time, but sadly she isn't on GN anymore.
I'm pleased you found your happy place Whiff and that your health has improved too.
We are enjoying our new abode. Like you, we've had a new kitchen, new bathroom, windows, floors etc. Just the master bedroom and ensuite to do. My garden is my pride and joy, I just wasn't inspired in London.
I miss the capital and city life sometimes, the shows, restaurants, art galleries etc but the sea and the moors make up for these no end. A beautiful part of the country. Our NHS surgery seems very good and thorough too, I was a bit worried because we always went privately in London.
I can't believe how the years have flown by. All that stress with solicitors and removal men has melted away. The only downside is the lack of airports here to travel abroad, but we are close to Plymouth for the ferry to France.
All our children made the move just after we did, so the icing on the cake is all the grandchildren being close.
Thank you for the thread. Let's have another one for the 10 years!

Thank you Whiff. I’m sure we’ll be fine now. Feeling much more positive, retired too now.
I’m a Northerner 😄 Glad you found us welcoming. Hope you have many happy years in your lovely home you sure do deserve it.

Katyj glad you are settled now . Sorry about your mom . I had all my stress before my move my health got worse when the children where very young ,my husband's cancer and death then looking after both parents and mother in law until they all died. Then getting jaundice and finding out I should have died. House sale fell through twice but the people selling the bungalow kept it for me.

It's hasn't been plain sailing but nothing I couldn't cope with. I will never move again this is my home and I love it here. Never want to go back to the black country even for a visit .

Northerners are a special breed of people and never know such kindness and caring . We have to do and be where we are happy as happiness is under rated.

CountessFosco my best friend has had a holiday home in France for 20 years it's been her haven since her husband died 18 months ago. Her main home is here.

You have to live where you are happy . None of us know how long we have to live and there is no point being somewhere you aren't happy. If you find the right home in France move back . But be careful where you go. My brother says his French friends have moved well away from cities and big towns as parts of them are no go areas for anyone other than the people living in those areas that are other nationalities not French.

Thank you to everyone else for your lovely posts.

Sorry for repeating myself 🙄

I remember following you five years ago Whiff. So happy to hear that it’s all worked out brilliantly for you.
We also moved five years ago last month. I couldn’t settle in our new home. We downsized to a two bed house. But it wasn’t the size that got me down there was just so much to do, much more than we anticipated. The boiler broke down two days after moving in, also the kitchen and one bathroom needed replacing.

My mum also fractured her hip two weeks before we moved so lots of hospital visiting, for the next five years in fact. It’s been a very difficult time for us, many more illnesses and hospital stays for mum. Sadly she passed away two months ago.

I’m sure all the stress had something to do with not settling. I do like my house now it’s sunny and cosy, almost everything is new so should be a while before we need to do anything else. I couldn’t face moving again, so hears hoping we don’t need to 🤞


I became very stressed and tired, working part time too, I think that’s partly the reason I couldn’t settle.
Anyway we’re still here and I’m now settled. It’s a very sunny cosy house.

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.

How lovely to hear.

I hope this may encourage others who are contemplating a move.

Such happy news Whiff, so pleased for you , thank you for sharing your inspirational story.

Good to hear Whiff.

That’s a wonderful outcome for you, how lovely that you can now enjoy life.
I think your post will help those facing the dilemma of moving or downsizing.