Why do you live where you do

[JanieB]

Originally from Cumbria (although accidentally born in Bristol when my Mum was visiting someone there).

When my Dad was demobbed from the army he joined the first experimental version of the NHS which was in Swindon. Lived within a few miles from there ever since, although only for a few months actually IN the town. You've got to get a cattle prod behind me to get me to go there .

[JanieB]

Cartmel? Is that where the yummy puds are made? *dribble*

And the very interesting Cartmel Racecourse.

[Pumpkin Becki]

Moved from the house I was born in, approx 25 miles SE to Ashford to be with my then boyfriend (now husband). We've lived here for about thirteen years and will shortly be moving seven miles to our self-build, which is in a really pretty village on the North Downs. I worked in the village about 7 years ago, and fell in love with it. We could never have afforded to buy a house just off the High Street, so when we spotted a potential plot, we built one instead. We have a smallish back garden, but our allotment is only about five minutes walk away and the village and its villagers make up for it big style!!

[batpixie]

I was born and brought up in the outskirts of Edinburgh. Got together with my OH in the last year of high school. I stayed in Edinburgh and went to College while he came down to Manchester to go to Uni. When I'd finished my course, OH still had another 2 years to do so I moved to Manchester to be with him. Got a house in Rusholme (famous for it's Curry Mile) and lived there for 5 years, but got withdrawal symptoms from lack of countryside so moved out to Glossop because of all the countryside on the doorstep. Wanted a house that we could personalise and do a little work on, but all of the houses that we saw were modern boxes painted throughout in magnolia (no offence to anyone with a modern house with magnolia walls!). So we ended up with the house we have now, which needs complete renovation. Lived without a kitchen for 3 years (we have one now!) and we are slowly bringing it back to life and making it livable again.

[dexterdoglancashire]

I live around 3 miles away from where I was brought up in a little village near Chorley. I lived here till 1980 when I went to Cardiff Uni for 3 years. I got married and moved to Yorkshire till we moved back here in 1995. Very happy living here, glad we moved back. Though wouldn't have missed living in the other parts of the UK, a great experience and still have many friends I keep in contact with

[Shortie]

I was born and bred in London the same house and moved into my own place 10 miles away when I was 22. I then moved back to the house next door to where I grew up, by chance as the ouse was up for sale when we were looking for somewhere bigger, so I moved back in to (nearly) the same house whic is where I live now

I do wonder why I live here, often. Not becuase it's next door to my folks, but because I really, really, reeaaaalllllly don't like the area any more. I probably could afford to move away and we seriously thought about it only a little while ago. But the move we considered was Harlow, and still close enought to London to mean the house prices would mean I'd have to stay in my current job in London and I don't want that either

I just don't have the balls to get up and move really far away from London

Just yet....

[Marthaclematis]

I was born in the North East but from quite a young age was drawn to London, I told my mum on many occasion that I when I grew up me and my friend Lorraine were going to 'get a flat down London' - it were watching the Liver Birds what did it.
Anyway I did; aged 20 (Lorraine didn't but now lives in OZ) - came to work for a big government organisation and met my dh seven years later (I'd moved to BT by then and met him at work). Apart from a five year stint in Leeds when we were relocated with the job we have lived in SE London ever since - 20 years, and I've loved every minute. BUT... plans are afoot - within the next four years we will retire to the coast; Brighton is favourite as we already own a property there; its a tad small for us but once we sell up we should be able to afford something with a garden and be mortgage free. I can't wait. I have it all planned out, morning cuppa in the garden, off to the gym, back for breakfast; walk along the beach with dog (I have a Spaniel in mind -I hope the cats are accommodating). Pub lunch, tend me plants, afternoon snooze, sunset walk. I think about this scenario often and it keeps me motivated during the slog of the nine to five.

[petal]

i'm a Lakeland lass (Keswick) then london Harrow for degree(fun) then denmark in love for 4 years, then horrid london (forest Hill where I had my kids) for 5 years then we moved out to bedfordshire- had to move house 4 times since then but now we have found our dream detached house with big garden in country. I LOVE IT!!!!Just found out my mums family are from Bedfordshire - wierd or what?

[Sprocket*]

I was born and bred in the posh side of Barnsley (Yes it does have one). Moved to Uni in glorious Bangor, North Wales. Moved back home and got a job in Rotherham but stayed with Mum. When OH and I got married in 2003 we bought a house on the otherside of town (it might as well have been on the south coast if you had listened to my family) 4.6 miles away. From the rear bedroom window I have amazing countryside views, and I have a huge reclaimed area of pit to walk the dogs. Each day you see another bit of wild life taking over. Oh and forgot, have very large lottie that I can see from the house - perfect.
Won't move till retire to North Yorkshire middle of nowhere house.

[bobleponge]

Having just arrived back home, I realise again why I live here.
Dad was in the navy so lived all over the world when I was a kid, back to Portsmouth then Plymouth then joined the army.
From my early 20's I wanted to live in France, still dont know where that came from.
Did a full career in the army, by that time I owned a place not far from where I live now.
Was with someone who was happy to move to France, so we did. Found a fantastic house in the sticks with land and tranquility in equal measures.
Partner disappeared off and left me with a massive house and struggling to pay for it, but I'm so glad I did.
Never is a long time, but I dont see me moving from here, and certainly not back to the UK. I love living here, might be a touch "naff" but I still appreciate how lucky I am to live here.

[susieq100]

Born in Herefordshire and lived there for 33 years. Then moved with my 2 kids to Crewe in Cheshire to train to be a teacher - bought a little terraced house in one of the 'rougher' bits of town, but was all I could afford. After I qualified got a job in Stoke on Trent - easy commute, boys happy in their schools, decided not to move for a bit. Met OH who is a Stokie born and bred and moved in with him in Stone, Staffs then bought our house together in Stoke on Trent. Stoke gets a really bad press - it's a lovely city - alright some parts are not pretty but there are over 100 acres of green space within the city limits, we are 5 minutes from the canal and fabulous country walks, 15 minutes drive from the Staffordshire Moorlands and edge of the Peak District. I have a little garden at home and an allotment 10 minutes away (admittedly in the car). And Stoke is a really cheap place to live! Most of my family are still in Herefordshire and I would like to be a bit closer but I love it here. My dream is to be able to afford a house with some land so that I can have a little market garden.

[sewer rat]

Born; Lennox Castle (a bona fide lunatic asylum way back then)
Lived;
Milton of Campsie (too young to remember)
Bishopbriggs (suburb of Glasgow)
Lenzie (posher suburb of Glasgow)
Milnathort, Perthshire (working on hill farm)
Aberdeen (Agricultural College)
Cruden Bay (Arable Farm)
Trecastle, Wales (hill shepherd)
Heriot, Scottish Borders (hill shepherd)
Glasgow (unemployed)
St Katherines Dock, London (girlfriend's company flat - Customs and Excise)
Mile End, London (HM Customs)
Hanwell, West London (HM Customs)
West Drayton (HM Customs)
Inverness (11 months after leavng London)
Tain (last seven and a bit years)

When OH fell pregnant with Iona we decided to move from London - thought about Belfast (was still kicking off) Glasgow (too close to my family) Edinburgh (I'm from Glasgow, don't do Edinburgh), Aberdeen and Dundee didn't enter the equation - had to decide between Perth and Inverness - the highland Capital lucked out. Moved another 35 miles Norty to Tain when Iona was 6 months old - love it - great place, not too big, not too small, really friendly, great for the kids, excellent schools, great friends, four or five great beaches within 10 minutes, surrounded by great countryside,and it's in Scotland (very very important to me)

[di]

I am here cos OH got made bankrupt some years ago and we had to take the first house we were offered or go into a B&B. Moved to Haverhill to be with him, and here we'll stay until the kids are all grown and going their own way.
The estate we are on is not pretty, but 5 mins out of town in any direction and we are in the middle of nowhere.
My family history is all centred around Stepney/Mile End and I was born in Barking, lived in Dagenham but no money on earth would get me into a city ever again.
OH and I dream of a self build one day, eco friendly, self sufficient as much as possible.

(Andi)Was out your way yeaterday Kirsty,(Whepstead)it is such beautiful countryside,sat & had lunch in middle of a field at Wratting & the view all around was lovely!!!

[Jeanied]

I moved here for work - bought a little house, found my husband, lost him to cancer, still keeping going working and no reason to move - either to where I was born - East Anglia -(no friends there now) or anywhere else - no reason. Quite a negative reason for living where I live - but it will have to do, it's all I have got!

[snohare]

Born and brought up in Aberdeen, had to move away when my parents retired to a village just outside the city - went with them as I was chronically ill. Eventually moved into a place of my own in town (renting) and then had six years in a tenement in the centre of town, finally had a social life and allotment, things were going well. But rents went up and benefits didn't, ends were not meeting, and as I am never likely to be much healthier than now the writing was on the wall. I have known many people like me who ended up sitting on pavements because they only left a sinking ship when the water was on the deck, so I grabbed a lifebuoy and jumped.
I left it all behind to go to a wee cottage in the country, because it is affordable rent and near my folks. Great scenery, been past on the main road thousands of times and always wanted to visit this house, but not somewhere I'd ever have chosen to go. Sadly not all that affordable in the long term - what is, on benefits ! - and a black hole socially (I really don't get out much ! ); back to square one with everything. A potentially great garden but absolutely no social life, no amenities, and none of the volunteering that made something of my life previously.
All my interpersonal and technical skills are pretty much useless here at present. I didn't choose to be here, I am an economic migrant just like all the foreign friends I had in Aberdeen, but with fewer options because of my health and age. I only have a six month tenancy officially, after that who knows ?
I am thinking of getting a dog, and planting an orchard for whoever comes after me. Would I go back to Aberdeen ? If I could afford it, maybe. But in life there is rarely the chance to go back, and I daresay I'll settle in. Needs must !