Where you live

[Qwerty]

I was born in in the city of Leeds I now live on the outskirts where it is more village like and quite rural but I have never wanted to move out of Leeds as a city, has anyone moved to a different area through jobs etc or are you always happy where you came from?

[Sum1Ls]

Born in Nottingham, went to London for university, worked in Pakistan and East Africa, then in six London postcodes ending up the last one. I consider myself to be a Londoner - the most diverse, exciting city in the world. And anyone who has lived here for a few months can call themselves a Londoner. You don't have to wait for years to be accepted.

[ZIZI]

Goodness me I need a whole page! Born in Twickenham, moved to Kuala Lumpur (where my elder brother was born) just after birth (not alone of course), then Warminster where my sister was born, Dalmenhorst in Germany, Kenya, Gibraltar where younger brother was born, then back toTwickenham where younger sister born then off to West Berlin (short stint at boarding school in Kent but brother got homesick and we had to return to Berlin), Dargets Wood in Kent then Gravesend. By this time I was the grand old age of 12. Moved to Bath with my brother to live with aunt and uncle while parents decided whether they wanted to kill each other, divorce or stay together then moved to a different house in Bath when parents and brother and sisters arrived complete with our large golden Labrador, bit of a squash two up two down, mum, dad, gran dog. Later moved to a different area in Bath to bigger house and then another which is where my elder brother now lives

At the great age of 15 I left school and not long after left home returning to Twickenham where I lived with my grandparents. At 16 I moved to Brussels as an au pair (no surprise to those who know me that this was not a successful job) I then spent a couple of years enjoying myself travelling around and generally misbehaving. Ended up in central London in a flat behind the Criterion theatre (around Picadilly) which I left and moved back to Twickenham when husband left and I was pregnant,in his defence he did not know. Then moved to Teddington and eventually made one of my worst mistakes, moved back to Bath.

Took about three or four years but I finally moved back to where my heart is and moved into a cottage not far from Hampton Court Palace. this was where I was living when I met husband and finally moved further along the road to join him and the children in Hampton. That was the place, apart from here, that I have lived the longest. I loved my house and was heartbroken when we had to sell. Even now I think about it and how lovely it would be for my little people to have all that space and the huge garden. Kitchen bigger than my current sitting room, ensuite, four bedrooms, shower room and family bathroom, huge split level sitting/dining room, French windows right across the back of the house looking onto enormous garden.

I like our flat but my favourite is....bet you cannot guess? The house in Hampton.

When we were forced to sell due to health and consequent financial problems the important thing was to move somewhere husband could get to work easily as his driving licence had been permanently revoked and I was driving him 25 minutes to work and coming back again with his first shift at 4am. It wasn't working. When we moved into this maisonette it was awful. The configuration was all wrong, the kitchen cupboards and drawers just fell off every time you touched them. I cried when I was alone. Over the years we have made it our own and whilst it is not ideal it does for what we want. We have a nice garden, a garage and an off street parking space. We don't mind a bit of aircraft noise (in fact we have less here than in Hampton) and the noise can be put up with in return for husband regaining his independence and not depending on me to get around.

I loved Gibraltar, I remember it as being the last place remember both my parents being truly happy with each other although they did stay together after the rocky patch. Husband and I went back there a few years ago And although I was very young when I lived there I remembered it almost 100% in fact I asked a taxi driver about a flat we lived in at a place called Windmill Hill where there used to be a prison and we lived in the ex warders flats while our service quarters were finished. He said that there had never been a prison there and checked with an old boy who confirmed I was right!

PHEW! Bet you were not expecting that enormous diatribe!!!

[Plantaholic]

Well I knew you were a much travelled girl but phew that is a lot of homes.

I was born in East Molesey not far from Hampton, one of 6 children. Stayed there until I met my husband, we got married and moved to Coventry for his job. I was very homesick and was very happy when he took a new job in Ealing and we moved back south to a place called Flackwell Heath, the two children were born there. We decided to move to Marlow on Thames, loved it there by the river but by this time my MIL was getting to need more help so we found this property in 1969 with an Annexe. When she died, my DD and family extended the main bungalow for them and their four children and the annexe was extended for us. We have lived next to each other for 16 years. I consider myself a very lucky grandma, I have had the pleasure of seeing my grandchildren grow up. My son and his family only live 20 min away.

[Daisy]

Zizi - You really should write a book - I'm not joking!!!

I was born in Heron Cross - an area of Stoke on Trent and lived there until I was 6. Then my parents bought a traditional corner shop, still in Stoke, but on the A34 which was busy even then. They sold groceries, sweets and green grocery. I can't remember feeling either happy or sad about this move until my adored puppy got out and got run over! Then I hated it. I hated that my parents never seemed to have any time - for themselves, each other or me. I don't think they enjoyed it much either and were in the process of selling it when my Dad died. We had already bought a bungalow in Barlaston - a village some miles out of Stoke - famous for the Wedgwood pottery factory. Mum and I lived in Barlaston until OH and I got married and moved to North Wales, where he was working. Two years later his job moved to Liverpool and we moved to Bromborough (not far from Glamm!) We managed 4 years there before being transferred yet again - this time to Bedfordshire. OH was working in Luton, and we moved to a brand new house in a little village between Luton and Bedford.

We just about had time to have a second baby and we were off again - this time even further south, to Worthing. It took us so long to find a house that we hadn't finished unpacking before another move took place - to leafy Surrey. We bought our second new house - in Haslemere, and had about 4 very happy years there before getting incredibly lucky with a move to the New Forest in Hampshire. By this time, DS1 was 11 and DS2 9. DS1 in particular was losing count of the number of schools he'd been to and was very sad to leave a fantastic group of friends in Haslemere. We decided that it was time to stay put. We've moved house once within the village, but can't quite believe we have been here 33 years next month!

But you never know, so we've still got old-fashioned wooden tea chests stacked up in the loft - just in case!

Qwerty's comment about never wanting to leave the Leeds area is interesting. I always knew I didn't want to live my whole life in one town or city - but I never quite expected so many moves.

[Shemadee]

I was born in Cornwall Rd Bexhill. Moved twice in the same area during my childhood. Worked in Eastbourne, then London. Came home and went back to college for a year then worked locally until we married. Then lived in hawk hurst, tenterden, head corn, all in Kent. Then two moves in blackheath (London), welling Kent, then lee green (london), then two moves in ditton, Kent (one forced and very reluctant) then moved up here to the West Midlands nearly ten years ago when DD1 married and had first GS. I would probably have been voted "girl least likely to move away" when I was at school!

[Oma]

Always lived close to my birth place moved about 10 mile away to where we are now about 36 yrs ago but mine and Brian`s family all live around our childhood haunts still so when we go to visit it still feels like home to us . there is a certain monument and anyone glimpsing that know they are back home no matter where you travel from

[Grauntie Mag]

Born in the Medway Towns, moved to Cleckheaton W Yorkshire when I married, then moved back to Gillingham Kent for a year. Then on to Purley Surrey, and then on to Southend-on-Sea where we have lived for 35 years. We thought about taking a pub or even a B&B in the Dales but somehow the time was never right. We love it here in Essex and this is where our life is. We won't ever move now.

[ZIZI]

I spent some time in Colchester and Southend when we were building there. I think my company is still there in Southend finishing off Greensward Academy. I did a few events there until I got seconded eighteen months ago.

[Grauntie Mag]

We live just outside Southend, Zizi, and on a sunny day with the tide in you could be anywhere in the world. It looks truly beautiful.

[Nana]

Sth Yorks then Lake District to Teacher Training College. Back to Yorks. Down to Essex then back to Yorks.

[Gemini]

What an interesting thread Qwerty! I love reading all the stories.
Phew Zizi, what a lot of moves!

I live where I come from.
I went to college in London aged 19, for 2 years, living off Holloway Road. Then lived with in-laws in Enfield, Middlesex for a few months. Then to East Grinstead, Sussex for 8 months, covering the hot summer of 1976.
Back to York with husband and 10 month old baby to live with my parents for a while until we bought our own house.
We stayed here, living in town for 35 years, moving a liitle further into town after 9 years. For the past 4 years I have lived in a large village 4 miles from York.

[Qwerty]

OMG I realise I have led a very sheltered life as far as moving around Tiz did you have ants in your pants ! We have lived in our house for 37 yrs I love my house but wish it were in a different location within the village, its very pleasant living next to a farm watching the seasons change bit its a bit snobby.

[ZIZI]

My dear Dad was in the army hence my earlier moves. I think all the moving when was a child meant I couldn't settle anywhere. We have been here 15 years in November and I was with husband in big house for 16 years.

[Nanto2girls]

I live about 3½ miles from where I was born.Hubby was born 3 streets away from where we are now. We did live in the town for 4 months, when we were first married.
When we first moved to this house , nearly 47 years ago, I hated living here. It was winter time, hubby was at work, I was pregnant and I didn't know anybody.
But, I love it here now, love our house and can't imagine living anywhere else.