It depends on where you are going to (S. Africa?) &, more importantly, why?

To escape isn't always the best solution but, to create a new and better life certainly is.

Not SA, much as I love the country, I couldn't live permanently with the covert apartheid, delcatto.

Why? We live outside the development zone (one of the reasons for buying this house 19 years ago), but because the district council have failed to produce the local plan they should have finalised 18 months ago, and are currently short of places for siting 4,000 of the 10,000 new houses they are directed by government to allow to be built in this largely rural area in the next few years, they are allowing anything to happen, anywhere.

Lying developers, aided by specialist planning consultants who know all the tricks and loopholes, are applying for permission to do one thing, then doing something else, and a blind eye is being turned.

Areas (acres) of ancient woodland and hedgerows are being ripped out, totally contrary to what was stated in planning applications, and despite Defra agreeing that it is illegal and should be stopped, the power to act rests with the district council, who refuse to recognise the problem and won't act (their record of attempted enforcements going to appeal is appalling because they don't even follow the correct procedures and the planning inspectors cannot find in their favour if they haven't done the paperwork properly). Defra have no power to intervene.

Plus, people who are prepared to lie are not being challenged when they build something utterly contrary to what they have obtained permission for (which wouldn't have been agreed anyway, had the local plan been ratified).

There are currently (at least) 5 out of the 17 houses in our hamlet for sale. Anyone who is in a position to get out is. The rest have either only just moved in, or are in their 80s and 90s and their small houses are ripe for developers to puchase, bulldoze, and turn into huge new houses that are totally out of keeping with the area, but will be approved despite any objections anyone makes.

Oh - did I mention that the chair of the local council planning committee himself owns the largest local land and estate agency, and that someone who lives near us is the national lead on major new homes development for a national chain?

We've done everything we can, against every case that has arisen. But, there comes a time when it is clear that it is utterly futile in this 'no local plan' situation.

We've either got to accept that we will potentially be living in the middle of a housing estate within the next few years (from other similar developments locally, it will be full of incomers who have loadsa money but do not understand, respect, or want to engage with rural life), or get out now, while we are still young enough to so do.

But, when you've spent 19 years of your lives getting everything to the stage of perfection that we have here - it's a hard thing to do. Even though the perfect opportunity, in the perfect place, is being offered to us. I'm not well enough to be able to do everything I've done here, which will put a huge pressure on Mr BW, and, realistically, if anything happened to Mr BW, I wouldn't be able to cope there alone (which I probably could here).

But... the longevity calculator tells me I should live another 40 years and Mr BW another 36 (and I'm two years older than him). Do we want to spend it in the middle of a glorified housing estate, full of the cast of TOWIE (I've never actually seen that, but it's all around me every time I venture into any local town these days), or in the middle of nowhere?

And I'd be able to have the house cow I've always wanted... And the council tax is half what it is here...

Hard decisions, I do sympathise. Moving would be a massive undertaking, but there has been a lot you don't like about the area where you live for a long time, even before these present issues.

I'm not looking at the longevity calculator. It would only depress me.

Judging by the post below you should look at the broadband speed of the place you might move to. And then consider the proximity of a good hospital if you're planning to live until you're 90. Also check out crafty suppliers and availability of rotating ladies.

Seriously, can you be sure that a similar development won't happen where you move to?

Z - a very helpful observation, thank you. Given that most of what annoys me is incomers who have selfie Townie values and beliefs, not to mention driving styles, it would be a relief to leave the wider environment, if not The Coven as it is now (would that we could just pick it up and move it).

AQ - broadband is about as slow as here. Hospital is much better than the local NHS one here (almost all private en-suite rooms - PFI at its best/worst, depending on your point of view), doctors where you can make appointments by email and where all the doctors are English (and where you don't have to book at least 3 weeks ahead to see the doctor of your choice), but good point as we'd be giving up the private healthcare Mr BW gets as part of his salary package. Plenty of rotating ladies (I've checked), and patchy ladies. Craft supplies can come by courier. I/we could run crafty courses/holidays (and huge scope for future ventures, should we choose to make our life more complicated). And as for the last question - it's one of the most protected places in the UK (but, I've been checking the planning department out, and am amazed at the difference between precision in wording of theirs and ours).

There are lots of families in our local area suffering under the plans for HS two, which (imho) will simply make it easier to work in the South on a daily basis, rather than spread the work further North.

You have our sympathy trying to get the DIstrict Council to act. I think rural-up-North is going to get an influx of people from Darn-South as they retire.

PS Hope the teenage Mums are doing OK. At least you have lots of names for black cats to refer to in your blog from a few months back.

There are lots of families in our local area suffering under the plans for HS two, which (imho) will simply make it easier to work in the South on a daily basis, rather than spread the work further North.

You have our sympathy trying to get the DIstrict Council to act. I think rural-up-North is going to get an influx of people from Darn-South as they retire.

PS Hope the teenage Mums are doing OK. At least you have lots of names for black cats to refer to in your blog from a few months back.

Kittens!

Funny, I have been contemplating moving as well. If I move to say Dorset I could get double the house for half the price and be away from the airport noise ...

Kittens!

Funny, I have been contemplating moving as well. If I move to say Dorset I could get double the house for half the price and be away from the airport noise ...

Verity - exactly - people used to go to Suffolk/Norfolk, but they are fast becoming as bad as round here.

Debster - we seem to have enough kittens for a free one for every reader. As a long-term reader you qualify for 3. Have done Dorset in the 80s and early 90s - lovely then, full of arrogant toss-pot selfie weekenders these days. There might be better places to choose...

And the weather there?

And if you're seriously considering running crafty courses, do you plan having accommodation for attendees, or how easy is it to travel there?

Weather is double the rainfall here, but, that's not hard as it is, on paper, drier than Tunisia here. Otherwise, an amazing microclimate.

And as for potential for accommodation, oh yes, lots of potential for all sorts of things, and grants available to do it. Question is, do we want to?

Useful questions though: it's reassuring me that we're not missing anything in our deliberations.

Hmmm. Microclimate - sounds like Dartmoor - in which case look out for hikers doing Ten Tors Challenge. Otherwise starting to sound very Welsh.

Neither AQ, but the 'hikers' comment has made me look at footpath routes, so thanks (and I'm not going to be more specific yet as I don't want to jinx this! But, I think you've been reading for long enough to know where it is likely to be).

I'll not comment further, as you rightly say, I've been reading long enough to know your favourite haunts, and I don't want to do the jinx thing either. I can't recall whether you still have elderly relations left to be cared for?

One only worth bothering about, AQ, and she seems to have found herself a new partner recently, so it doesn't have to be part of the equation.

The old Kingdom where possibly Arthur resided and ruled, although the Welsh, Cornish, etc... will dispute that.
It sounds as though you have made 75% of your decision to go and for very sound reasons. Sadly the corruption & stupidity of local & national politicians knows no bounds. I could never move back south and given the opportunity I would be haring my way further north, beyond the Humber.

This teaches me to read out of order:) go for it BW, if it is somewhere you love and I suspect I also know where, then I would probably get to see you much more easily there. And Mr Mog could always come and give a hand. And we both rotate and we love kittens. Does that sell it for you? Oh and I would love to do workshops with you. There decision made then;))

Around 135 miles (but still 2.5 hours) door to door Amber :)

If I knew that Scotland would vote 'yes', I'd probably go further north too delcatto...

Sympathies with the planning demons situation: friends of mine are in a similar situation. Neighbour wants to build ****-off house right on the boundary. Plans dismissed out of hand by council. Palms greased, suddenly it's all ok!

And yes, if only one could pick up the property and move it. I've come to the conclusion that what I REALLY wanted was my flat turned into a bungalow with garden. Bit late now tho :(

where would you suggest? I thought Dorchester - has a hospital and two stations and no students.