At the start of September, a couple moved from London to Somerset with their five children, seeking a smaller mortgage, cheaper school fees, and lower living costs, the i Newspaper reported.
The parents made the cross-country transition despite their jobs still requiring them to be in London and their eldest child being 14 years old. An unusually sunny autumn made the transition easier than expected, sparing them from the mud and sheet rain they had anticipated.
The family’s children have slotted straight into their country schools despite missing their city friends. Fears of spending all day in the car, feeling isolated, or lacking decent coffee proved largely unfounded.
Halloween in the countryside turned out to be a major event rather than a non-starter. The local pub hosted a party featuring apple bobbing, piñatas, and a Mariachi band before the family drove through pitch-black country lanes for trick-or-treating.
School Bonfire Night celebrations brought a massive bonfire and a candy floss stand last weekend. The older children ventured into the darkness with friends while the younger ones watched fireworks with hot dogs and flashing fidget spinners.
“Our older children took off with their friends into the darkness (which I’d have totally forbidden in London) and I watched the fireworks with the little ones – hot dog in one hand, flashing fidget spinners in the other – wondering whether life in Clapham might actually be more sanitised,” the mother said.
Urbanised teenagers have begun appreciating rural nature, with older children describing misty morning views across the hills from the school bus. One of the boys even herded an escaped sheep along a lane toward its field.
Screen time remains a constant battle, though the children face fewer opportunities to use devices due to longer school days and bus phone bans. Most year eight students in the rural area remain phone-free compared to their London peers.
Living costs have presented unexpected hurdles, particularly regarding transport. Spending reached up to £200 per week on diesel due to fuel prices impacted by the Iran war, prompting the purchase of an electric car and a charging station.
| Expense Category | London Context | Somerset Context |
|---|---|---|
| School Fees | Higher baseline | Cheaper overall |
| Fuel & Transport | Public transit / cargo bike | Up to £200 weekly on diesel |
| House Renovation | Not applicable | High building costs |
Capital investments for the move included new school uniforms, a new vehicle for the school run, and ongoing house renovations. Additional expenses involved higher cleaner wages and maintaining an oil tank.
“Wait until the winter comes,” a friend and fellow London-leaver warned when told the family was getting the hang of rural life, the i Newspaper reported. “November to March is when it gets truly depressing.”
