eBay

alisonsvintagechicboutique · ‎15-01-2014

I looked at a little flat for sale in a village this week. I really liked the flat, its about the same size as the one I already rent with the bonus of its own garden.

I've lived in central Stevenage for around 18 years now. Its a big town - not at all pretty but functional! I've had to get in the car or on the bus to get to town or to supermarkets (approx 2 miles away) although have always been lucky enough to have a local shop and or post office in walking distance.

The village is about 5 miles out of town down lots of windey country roads. Not a problem but there is no longer a village shop or a post office which would have been useful Its a pretty place with a lot of history. There were 2 lovely old pubs but I noticed the bigger of the 2 is now up for sale. Not sure if it will be a pub again. This pub was 5 mins walk from the flat. A bonus not just for a drink and escape but maybe for the occasional meal, music, social etc so it would be a shame if it stayed closed.

I'd drive into Stevenage for my clubs - yoga etc and would still have to drive to a supermarket.

I fancy the quiet life to be honest and there is talk in the village of setting up a co-operative shop. I feel like im feeling paranoid about needing a shop close by! I'm sure i would make some friends in the village and I would get involved in local events etc.

Just wondered if any of you have done the move from town to village? Do you like the quieter life? I've never been too much into nightlife and I really like my own space and the countryside. I would have plenty here if I move! I live on my own by the way since splitting with my partner earlier this year.

Two minutes walk away is a large open green space - common ground with trees and bushes, several acres, plenty of wildlife. If I bought this flat I could maybe have a dog too The village is surrounded by lovely countryside on all sides.

Estate agent says flat has been on the market for over 6 months. People like it but have found the location too isolated so its remained unsold. No chain and I can afford it.

Maybe I should move to this flat, give up Ebay and open the village shop again?! Something is stopping me from getting excited about this - not keen on change and 2013 was a full year of it but maybe this opportunity is right for me?

Any thoughts, advice welcome.

millielilac · ‎15-01-2014

It is really something you do need to consider very carefully.....

We live in a small village only 2.5 miles outside of a market town. It has no amenities other than a church and a pub that has recently closed . There are no buses...in the winter time the roads are not gritted so it can be very dicey without the right kind of car ...

It s a lovely quiet area and we have loved living here. However my husband has been ill for a couple of years and although he is improving it did make us realise that in the long term this may not be the best place for us.

At the present time my husband is incapacitated due to a leg injury and will be unable to drive for a while . This has confirmed to us that although we enjoy living here we really need to live somewhere with greater accessibility.

There are many villages that do offer more amenities ....it really does depend on your own situation and what you would really like ...

fishpieface · ‎15-01-2014

I know I shouldn't be envious but the sea 2 mins away, that would be heaven for me. I would

have to be able to swim in it though so nothing too dangerous!

We live right on the very edge of Greater London - the boundary for Essex is up the road. I

could certainly live a million miles from London and not miss it and I would dearly love to

live by the sea. But I think I'd prefer a town with a bit going on, some shops and a swimming

pool for when the sea is too cold!

calibra101 · ‎15-01-2014

I live in a fairly large village only 3/4 mile from nearest town and approx 22 miles from Cardiff City centre. My village boasts a theatre,garage,2 small supermarkets,chemist,doctors,bakery,post office,hairdressers,chinese takeaway,fish shop,4 pubs,a garden centre. a large public park,churches and chaples plus it has the oldest tramway bridge of its kind in the world. I live in a fairly large house with a smallish garden but I would love to move somewhere semi rural (not fussed on loads of people around me) with a couple of acres of land so my dogs can have lots of space and I can have ducks ( I have always wanted ducks) and grow my own herbs and veg. It is financially possible but the stnger is my OH loves it here

cee-dee · ‎15-01-2014

I've lived in a city, large towns, small towns, urban villages and rural villages.

Some years back I did "the dream" lots of people have for "when I retire"...... but I was young enough to pull it off, I bought a derelict cottage with ¾ acre of land out in the country over 5 miles from the nearest small town and a mile out of a tiny village. I "did it up" and all was fine until....... one winter we had a lot of snow. I don't like being "trapped", so I went the other way and bought a huge town house.

I've had a few moves as you can tell (?) and now I live 2 miles from town, the bus passes through (but I don't use it) and apart from phases of the drunks leaving the pub, I've got the best of all Worlds plus, I have a superb view.

It's life Jim, but not as WE know it.
Live long and prosper.

chickengrandma-2008 · ‎15-01-2014

I have the best of all worlds (in my opinion of course). I live 'in the country' but I have neighbours. I need to use my car as there are no buses except the school bus, so the road is gritted in the winter. There are no street lights, pavements, gas or sewers, but a couple of miles away there are schools, houses, shops, social clubs, fish shops, everything. This is my view.