6 minute read
33 Location Location Location - A family's journey on relocating
Mum of three Maria Booth (with husband, dog and puppy in tow) talks about upping sticks from Hampshire to the Lake District. Finding schools, scouting the area, boxing up and heading off....
Advertisement
Photogra hy: Millie Pilkington
Moving can be a huge upheaval particularly in our case with three young children aged 7, 5 and 3; one Springer Spaniel; and Granny and Papa, just to add in to the moving mix. After ten years together enjoying life down South, Mark and I decided to relocate at the end of 2019 to the North. This wasn’t a random idea. There were discussions, research, and many, many Northern holidays to confirm our decision. Mark is originally a Northerner after all so the thought of heading in that direction wasn’t completely out of the blue. I am 100% Southern; born in Hampshire, and although I moved abroad in my younger years, my family home was in Hampshire. Friendships started and continued down South. I worked in London, married in Winchester and made a home in Hampshire. Having children meant our roots became firmly fixed in the area; becoming heavily involved in the local community (forever fundraising) and School life; recruiting more friends and starting the Mummyhood journey with them; knowing everyone and loving our routine. In short, life was great. Yet family time started to become rare with Mark’s work taking him away at weekends, either to London or to the North. It became apparent that the family unit had to follow but life in the Big Smoke just did not appeal. And the North? We knew it well; the stunning scenery, quiet roads, outdoor pursuits on the doorstep; a similar set up to our Southern life but with a different backdrop of mountains and fells. After much discussion, looking at Right Move every night, reading articles about ‘Life up North’ and revisiting our chosen potential patch with realistic ‘should we live here’ eyes as opposed to the romantic holiday glaze, we took the plunge and agreed to make the move to the North. I secured a job within weeks of confirming our decision and suddenly we were ordering boxes and planning a move. Before Christmas. With my parents in tow. Two properties to pack; seven people; one dog; two days before Christmas. Easy. It was intense. But we did it and just in time for Christmas. Tree and all the trimmings; the children even met Father Christmas (who lives in a cave up North). The hard work, tears, and several trips to the tip paid off and we started the New Year in full swing. We were up North. I found it hard to believe we weren’t on holiday despite all my belongings around me. Although it seemed bonkers to move before Christmas, the timing was perfect. A time when families are together and life shuts down for a while. No pressure to make friends or be anywhere or with anyone other than with your family. So we explored; made the most of having no friends and spending a LOT of family time together. It was special. The seven of us and the dog spent this time to get to know our new patch; explore local walks; eat at local restaurants; practice the school run and find the best route for my retail fix! It allowed us all to adapt to the new environment before the new routine commenced. I felt nervous about the children starting their new school but in true Northern style (and it is true, people are friendly up North), we received a warm welcome on their first day and the children have been happy ever since. Phew. A huge weight lifted knowing the children are OK. Four months in and the family are feeling settled. Prior to lockdown, the children had been getting on well at school; Granny and Papa like their new home; Mark has found his balance; and I am happy. My family are thriving up North; I miss the South but mostly the friendships; all those special girls I have picked up along the way from my school days all the way through to the mummy days. Thank goodness for Whatsapp, Facetime and nowadays Zoom chats! Overall, the North suits us. A different pace of life; a less hectic life. Although, we have just welcomed a new puppy to the family…
Top Tips...
Be open to change; don’t be scared to take the plunge especially if it means your family will hugely reap the rewards.
Read about your chosen area – find out about the area, look at your nearest GP and Dental Practice, Veterinary Centre if necessary, and supermarkets and shops. Research is essential as a second to spending time in the area.
Talk to your children about the move - make them feel involved.
Research and visit Schools – attend Open Days, meet the Headteacher, try and speak to locals about schooling in the area.
Contact local Lettings and Estate Agents; register your interest early.
Join the local Facebook page (if one exists) – this can provide information on local events, children activities and clubs, useful contacts like plumbers and electricians. Social media can be a great tool to connect with a new area.
De-clutter your home – pack only the things you like and will use in the future!
Spend as much time with your friends as possible! You will miss them so bank those waves at the school playground, coffee dates and suppers.
Dry Stone Walling ☐ Landscaping ☐ Paving Contemporary and Traditional Stone Clad ding
Dry stone walls are one of the most charming features of the English countryside and an ancient skill that the English Heritage is keen to keep alive.
All types of stone walling and paving including boundary walls, retaining walls, garden features / projects, cladding of existing buildings/structures, steps, insurance work, lime and mortared walls, repairs, contemporary/traditional stone cladding.
Country Child's seasonal search continues, this time for homes with great gardens.
Ilminster, Somerset £825,000 Bruton, Somerset £845,000
jackson-stops.co.uk lodestoneproperty.co.uk The Old Smithy is a fabulous four bedroomed barn conversion with an additional annex, outdoor swimming pool and surrounded by beautiful extensive lawns providing wonderful space for children to play and explore. An outdoor swimming pool is secluded and private and there is a paddock too. This historic old five bedroomed house set in vast countryside is believed to date back to the early seventeenth century and is certainly worthy of its Grade II listing. Impeccably restored by the present owner, the house boasts simple gardens and meadows in a quiet rural village location.
ruralview.co.uk ruralview.co.uk Chalke Valley, Wiltshire Starting bid £585,000 ONLINE AUCTION T's &C's apply. Shortsmead Cottage is a particularly attractive Grade II Listed country residence believed to date from the late 17th Century and was originally a pair of cottages. The property is approached via a gravelled drive and the attractively landscaped garden is a delight and a particular feature of the property complete with play castle. Tisbury, Wiltshire £895,000 Backing onto fields, this handsome five bed detached country residence is believed to have been built around 1901/02. Altered and improved over the years, the well-proportioned and elegant accommodation offers versatility as well as scope to make further changes. The gardens are a particular feature.
GARDEN DESIGN FI BOYLE
