Hi everyone. Need to start by and really can't stress enough that I'm not being condescending, at least not intentionally. My Dad is from Northumberland but I was born and raised in Kent. Used to spend loads of time up North as a child. I recently went back up for a holiday with my children and I fell in love with the place, not sure it was the fond memories as a child but I really did love it. We (myself and Mrs) are now considering moving. My job, if I can transfer, will pay exactly the same up there than down here so that is a plus. Another major thing is the difference in house prices which means I could sell my place here, pay off my mortgage and buy a place outright.... That sounds really appealing. I've never considered where I live to be unfriendly or dangerous so that's not really an issue. The fact I was in holiday mode could play a big part, perhaps going about everyday life will be no different. My biggest concern, and this is where it may start to be patronising is opportunities for my children when they are older. OK it was the 70s but my dad moved down here for a reason, obviously a lot of time has passed since then. Do any of you have kids, do you worry there may not be work available for them. I'm typing this and conscious I sound like I'm taking the piss but I'm really not. Its a big move and I don't want to move my kids up North away from their friends and family on a whim. From my point of view life would be great for me, mortgage free, lower living costs, same wage and can put myself down for a season ticket. I don't know if I'm being selfish though, I'll be lucky to go up there with a job (if I can transfer) and money from overinflated house prices down here. My kids will be starting from scratch. One plus for them is they have some learning difficulties at the moment, I'm by no means writing them off, but if they do end up in a minimum wage job as least housing and presumably rent is cheaper up north. Basically how is the job market in and around Newcastle/Northumberland? Its a big decision and I don't want to make the wrong one. One last time, I'm really not being condescending as a Southerner slagging off their "poor relations" I have much love for the North East which is why I support this bloody club and am considering moving my family.
I have two children, 27 and 30. Both have steady jobs paying between £20k and £30k. Could get better wages further south but both are looking to buy a flat and so far haven't asked me to contribute (Leeds and Newcastle). They would have to make a lot more down south to be able to be in the housing market.
As far as I see it's all about quality of life. Of course part of that will be jobs, salary etc. How old are your kids? Are they likely to be getting jobs now or in the near future? Brexit will play a part as it is forecast to hit the North -East than most parts of the Country at least in the short term. I have 3 kids, all grown up, all in work although one live s in USA, one in the North - West and one in the North - East. Depending on age of your kids is schooling an issue?
I have two children, my daugher is 21 next year and the young bloke will be 18 next year (**** I've just noticed that as I've typed it....2020 is gonna be an expensive year)! Not sure how old your kids are mate but if they are still in school and looking to go into further education then the options up here really are pretty decent in terms of colleges and universities etc which is a big plus point. Neither of my kids took that route (full time at least), choosing instead to chase the lure of earning as much money as they can whilst studying at college to move onto something better. My daughter has moved out (as of 2 years ago) and the young bloke is still at home. The Mrs and I are both in our early 40's so we're at the stage now (and have been for a year or so now) where we can pretty much do our own thing and have hols and weekends away etc just the two of us, the benefits of starting early, anyhow I digress. It sounds like you've pretty much made your mind up from the way I read your post. You've listed a number of plus points, which whilst may only be pertinent to yourself and your good lady will ultimately benefit you as a family I'm sure. There are plenty opportunities for work up here depending on what they wanna do of course but we're far removed from the days of having to pack up spirit levels and trowels and jump on a ferry over to Germany. There's some major developments in the pipeline for Newcastle/Gateshead over the next 5 years, most noteably on the Quayside with the new arena, Wey Aye Wheel or whatever it is and the surrounding area to name but one. There are endless amounts of bars, restaurants, pubs, clubs, cafe's etc etc for part time work for them whilst they're studying etc. My kids both got part time jobs straight away, my daughter has changed jobs about 3 times in 2 years with no issue but maybe she's just lucky. I work from home most days for the company I work for (looking at setting my own business up as well) and there are more and more companies allowing for remote working so it's not beyond the realms of possibility of working for a company from home who aren't even based up here! Christ I lived in Oz for 3 years (been back 4) and I was still working for the company in Oz for 6 months when i got back here. Basically it's just geography mate, it's not a barrier so do what you feel is right for your family and which is going to give them the best prospects in life. Living in London may well be that, but there's nothing to stop them heading back down there for Uni or work once they've gone through the education system as far as they want to. Being mortgage free with lower living costs would be a big draw for me if I were you, its not something to be sniffed at and will ultimately give you a more comfortable home life and hopefully more time to spend actually at home with the family. At the end of the day if you try it for a year or two and hate it you can always head back dahn sahf innit? I'm of the opinion that if you get an opportunity take it. It really is a cliche but you'll end up regretting the things you didn't do more than the things you did do when you look back. I certainly would have regretted not going to Oz looking back and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Hope I've helped, best of luck with your decision mate....I hope whatever you do works out for you and your family which I'm sure it will.
Thank you for the replies so far. Just an update as I didn't mention it, the kids are 2, 3, 8 and 12 so work won't be an issue for a while to be fair. The quality of life is most important and I'm sure the kids will jump at the chance of going to the beach almost every day whilst they are still young. The weather was absolute ****e up there last week though, that's not the norm I assume??
I’m quite laid back about things. I commute to Glos/Cheltenham each week and live in the North East because of the standard of living I choose (hols/nice house etc). The workplace in the future is going to be more digital. I often Skype into meetings now instead of actually being there so longer term location won’t be an issue for many careers. NCL airport allows me to be in London in 55 mins and When connecting via LHR I can be in my house quicker than colleagues who have to battle traffic back to Cheltenham.
I live in London on the average wage. I have NO money. Cost of living is atrocious and I miss the countryside. My children are 3 and 1 but before that are at secondary school we'll have moved to the countryside
The good thing is that now they have discovered motorised transport up North it would be quite easy for your kids to explore job opportunities down South as well. Worrying about your kids employment opportunities should be way down the list of priorities. You should be looking at things like quality of education for them (the better that is the more likely they will be able to get a job anywhere). You should also seriously consider what happens if the Mrs decides she doesn't like it and wants to move back down South. However now that House prices are not rising quicker down South than the rest of the country its not as much of an issue as long as she doesn't take any extra cash you generate from the house sale or not having a mortgage and spend it on jewellery and clothes.
East Northumberland has similar sunshine levels and similar rainfall levels to Kent. However, it's a lot cooler - particularly in summer.
Although the south has lower levels of unemployment now, it's impossible to predict any job market that far in the future, particularly with the potential **** storm that brexit will bring us. But at least freedom of movement within England will still exist, so like your Dad they can up sticks and go to where the work is. I work with a guy from Kent, he's actually a student in his 3rd year of Uni, zero intention of ever going back down south, loves the region and the people, he's a ginge so the cooler/rainier climate suits him too.
