By the time I was 15 my rural idyll felt more of a prison than a paradise. I expect the advantages of City life to become more compelling as my daughter grows up. You don’t need to worry about it all being tweed, wellies and horsey types. You don’t have to abandon shops, cocktails and dancing. You can get to London easily, by train, flight. Take Northumberland for example, Newcastle is half an hour away, Edinburgh an hour by train. The wonderful thing is that it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. But who says we can’t have both? There needn’t be a City versus Country. And, as all children do, I took it entirely for granted. So why a country life? It’s the fresh-air-and-pink-cheeks childhood that we all dream of our children having. A yearning for the bright city lights and the dramatic change in the pace of life proved to be some of the most difficult hurdles to overcome. Research (commissioned by Sky 1) reveals that more than a quarter of those who have recently moved to the countryside admit it was harder than they thought it would be. London living and country living are two entirely different ways of life – each with their own advantages and disadvantages. I know – I am one of them!ĭarling daughter, now age twelve, has embraced the country life. Or is it? Technology and the pandemic are changing the where and when we work at such a rapid rate that the most unlikely city types are upping sticks to move to the far-flung countryside, and bringing their careers with them. But you can’t, because London’s where the work is. I wasn’t tired of London, but I wanted space, beaches, nature and freedom. I moved to Northumberland when my daughter turned 3, I figured I needed a year to settle into a rural life in time for her to start primary school. Instead it is the battle to get them into a decent school, a Catch-22 need to work all hours to pay for their exorbitant childcare, and a non-existent social life due to lack of time, energy and disposable cash.Īs I wheeled the Bugaboo around after my daughter, loaded down with shopping, sippy cup and emergency rice cakes, I reflected on just how different her childhood was going to be compared to mine. So why did I leave my urban utopia? Although London offers an energy and vibe that is unparalleled, this excitement is pretty much denied once you have had children. I had in my mind that it was ‘only for a couple of years’ but 18 years on I had thrived in vibrant London and made it my adopted home town. I left the stunning scenery, beaches and canny folk of the North East behind at the age of 22 and headed for the bright City lights of the Capital. As a born Northerner-adopted-City life girl, having now returned to a country life, I think it is safe to say I have experienced the best of both worlds.
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