The house is sold and I'm having a wobble

I reluctantly, my DH was keen, decided to downsize from our home of 23 years to a bungalow. Once we made the decision I was keen to move and we bought an old bungalow that needed a lot of work. I had my wobble the day we moved in when it hit me just how much we had to do. However, sitting here over 4 years later with everything finished, it was the best thing we could have done. I don't know anybody who, having made the move, has regretted it.

Anya I love that curse and will remember it for future use! It's set me wondering though, I've experienced 'unbearable itching between the toes' in the past and am racking my brains as to what I did wrong that caused someone to put the curse on me.

We also moved, from the house we bought before we were married 39 years ago, in March. The neighbourhood had changed so much that we just did not feel we could live the life we wanted to anymore. After renting near to our daughters for a few months we decided that we would move back to a smaller town about 12 miles from our original home. We are close enough to our children and their families and also to the friends and neighbours we want to keep in touch with and are loving the new house and neighbourhood. I have driven past the old house and felt nothing but relief that we have left that area.
I was told by a friend that those that embrace change handle that change best. From experience, I could not agree more.

Yes, Suki70, I was afflicted by unbearable itching behind the ear last week. Who have I offended?

I think it's normal to "wobble". We moved five years ago after living in our house for thirty two years. When the removal men had gone and there was only DD and myself packing things I wanted to come in the car with me, and doing last minute tidying, I sat in the middle of the empty living room floor and cried. I really wanted - needed - to move, but still... thirty two years was a long time. It had been our first house after DH left the Army. This house is warmer, better and the surrounding area is lovely. Like you, the surveyor who came to us was taciturn beyond belief - hardly exchanged a word. A bit like driving examiners, it's in the nature of their profession I reckon! Enjoy your new home when the time comes, piggly.

I have moved twice in last 5 years, first of all from 4 bedroom house with large garden, from putting it on the market to moving 7 weeks, luckily we found a lovely Park Home (move from Middlesex to Somerset). Surveyor from Building Society was lovely so I think you've been unfortunate.

Sadly I was Widowed 14 months after that move & I found I could not afford to stay there. I waited about a year & then put my home on the market & move nearer my DD, her OH & my DGS.

Again move came in a rush after house had been on the market for over a year, cash buyer who needed to move in within 3 weeks

So it was book Removal Company, Storage Unit arranged, stay with my DD & start Property hunt. I viewed a Park Home 2 days after leaving my old home, put in an offer & moved in 6 weeks later (I stayed with DD, in a Hotel & Holiday Flat prior to moving in). Gradually transported possessions from Storage Unit & disposed of anything I didn't want/need, the joys of down-sizing. I'm now happily living in Devon, Dartmoor on my doorstep, coast 20 mins away & DD also about 20 mins away.

Pigglywiggly I'm sure it will all be fine, new home sounds perfect, it's hard leaving a much loved home but "new beginings"

I don't actually feel much attachment to our house; we've lived here for nearly 20 years after a further 20 years in a decrepit farmhouse thank quite honestly I detested!
I'd cheerfully up sticks and move elsewhere.
I fancy moving to Wales, near the Croats and mountains somewhere.

Am I odd in feeling this way?

Oh bum....spelling gone to pot! Apologies ?

Not 'thank' should be 'that' and coast not Croats (who the heck, or where, are they?)

I am in the same position at the moment, actually waiting to hear from agents today to find out if there are any offers forthcoming. We have been here 34 years but have now decided to move to a one level house which is much smaller. I am torn between excitement and misapprehension-are we doing the right thing, moving away from all our friends! I have the same feelings every time viewers plod around my house. And when one couple said they didn't like it at all I felt gutted! I feel like pulling the plug on our move but unfortunately we will lose our £9,000 deposit paid on the new place. I'm hoping this Is just a minor wobble!

loopylu ,I'm much the same ,I dont get attached to houses or things ,we put our house on the market at the beginning of the summer ,we've been here 28 years and I looked forward to the "new" house though it needed a fortune spent on it to make it liveable .Our house sold to the second family who saw it THEN ,the owner of the house we were buying decided not to sell after all and took it off the market.After 3 weeks of frantially looking for another house we decided that as we couldn't find anything we really liked we'll stay put.Felt so sorry for the young couple who had set their hearts on our place,but no point in moving for the sake of it,I'll wait until we need to downsize now,maybe when we retire.

Gosh ! you are a brave bunch to move after so long in one house ....I suppose it is nice in a way - something I have never known, having left home at 18, moved to London, Cambridge, Romford, Chelmsford, Nottingham, Baslow, Spain (twice) France (twice) ....downsized after husband had second stroke but now finding even the bungalow too difficult to manage. What now ? dont know ...would love a flat overlooking the sea but he refuses to get rid of anything ...his tools, his workshop, his shed (he is 84 soon) whereas I would just get rid of the lot like I did when I moved from the UK (second marriage) ...he has moved the original dining table around Europe at great cost, along with all the rest of the ancient stuff he had at his house in the UK so we are now at an impasse .....there is no flat we could afford which would be large enough for all his stuff......and larger retiremen flats are far too expensive ..so YES if you have the chance ...go for it and don't look back at what you once had ....you will still be in touch with friends and family and an easier life ! Good luck !

We have been in this house since 1972!!!!!!!!

With Himselfs hoarding, I cant see us moving anytime soon.

It is handy for a supermarket, busses, there is a 'nursing' home at the end of the street, and a short walk away is the Crem.

Whats not to like

jollyg

Mixed feelings about moving are natural - and appropriate. You don't want to kick 32 years away but once you've made the transition, you can appreciate the benefits of downsizing especially if you don't have to make a new life and friends at the same time
Bonne chance

It's only natural you feel attached to your home after such a long time there. But what makes it your home is your family and belongings not the bricks and mortar and those you love you will take with you.
I have also been back to look at houses I have previouly lived in - and felt no connection whatsoever.

It's horrible when a stranger comes into your house and examines it coldly and dispassionately without any of the basic courtesies. He'll regret it now, though, with Anya's curse!
Could I give you a list, please, Anya.....?

Please don't take any notice of the surveyor, maybe he didn't get his oats the night before!

When we moved two years ago, as I packed away our things, it sort of changed the home to a house, IYSWIM. We had been there 13 years, from me getting divorced and I know what you mean about it being your sanctuary, and I loved that home. It is where my children grew up, I got my freedom and had lots of new friends in, had a wonderful relationship and lots of wonderful memories. But I had to move on. I went round the house and kissed the walls on leaving (I have never told anyone that) and said thank you to it. I now love the home I have now though. It suits me better, although a chair lift and downstairs toilet would make it the best.

I have lived in a couple of houses which I have hated. We bought our second married home after being married seven years, really bad mistake. It was one of those houses which, no matter what you did to it, would never feel right. I was glad when I moved out. One when I was "at home" too was a bit cold and distant home, not warm and cuddly. But my mother wanted it so she got it. It probably didn't help though as she took us away from the area where we had grown up and all our friends were. Out of order imo.

If you know in your heart that you are doing the right thing, then as you pack up, the warmth and love with travel with you and your belongings. I wish you all the love and luck in the world in your new home. X

I have twice had moving 'wobbles' and my experience tells me that it is not only normal - it is to be welcomed! It shows how much you have loved your house, how happy you were in it; it doesn't mean you made the wrong decision!
I realised that after watching a close relative leave the house she had lived in for 40 years. She went with not backward glance, no tears or wobbles. 'thank goodness' she said 'At last I'm leaving this place'.
There were reasons she had been unable to leave previously, but it made me welcome my 'goodbye' tears.
I often visit the area where we lived happily for over 30 years, and I smile at our old house, like an old friend, glad to see toys in the garden & kids' stickers at the window.

Don't worry. We lived in our cottage for 42 yrs: Moved just over 2yrs: ago to a new build .Central heating , double glazing, what a joy.Much more suited to our needs .DH had18mths here and settled in just like that .You wont forget your old home ( we loved ours) but it became the past very quickly.Hope all goes well and don't think about the miserable surveyor .

Don't worry. We lived in our cottage for 42 yrs: Moved just over 2yrs: ago to a new build .Central heating , double glazing, what a joy.Much more suited to our needs .DH had18mths here and settled in just like that .You wont forget your old home ( we loved ours) but it became the past very quickly.Hope all goes well and don't think about the miserable surveyor .

Don't worry. We lived in our cottage for 42 yrs: Moved just over 2yrs: ago to a new build .Central heating , double glazing, what a joy.Much more suited to our needs .DH had18mths here and settled in just like that .You wont forget your old home ( we loved ours) but it became the past very quickly.Hope all goes well and don't think about the miserable surveyor .

Don't worry. We lived in our cottage for 42 yrs: Moved just over 2yrs: ago to a new build .Central heating , double glazing, what a joy.Much more suited to our needs .DH had18mths here and settled in just like that .You wont forget your old home ( we loved ours) but it became the past very quickly.Hope all goes well and don't think about the miserable surveyor .

Don't worry. We lived in our cottage for 42 yrs: Moved just over 2yrs: ago to a new build .Central heating , double glazing, what a joy.Much more suited to our needs .DH had18mths here and settled in just like that .You wont forget your old home ( we loved ours) but it became the past very quickly.Hope all goes well and don't think about the miserable surveyor .

Don't worry. We lived in our cottage for 42 yrs: Moved just over 2yrs: ago to a new build .Central heating , double glazing, what a joy.Much more suited to our needs .DH had18mths here and settled in just like that .You wont forget your old home ( we loved ours) but it became the past very quickly.Hope all goes well and don't think about the miserable surveyor .

Don't worry. We lived in our cottage for 42 yrs: Moved just over 2yrs: ago to a new build .Central heating , double glazing, what a joy.Much more suited to our needs .DH had18mths here and settled in just like that .You wont forget your old home ( we loved ours) but it became the past very quickly.Hope all goes well and don't think about the miserable surveyor .