My OH works in Air Traffic and we will have to move closer to the new centre in Swanwick (Southampton) in approx 2 years.  Had kind of come to terms with it, but I am starting to resist going even further south, when all my lifes plans meant ending up in the north - preferably Cumbria or at least nearer some mountains.
Obviously we are restricted to areas with airports, and ones that pay decent money.  Inverness has been suggested and I think there are others in the HIghlands too, maybe Cardiff, Manchester is over subscribed with controllers applying to work there..........just wondered what those of you who live in or near these areas think of them, our biggest worries of course being schools and and walking the dogs........

Well I might be biased, living in Scotland, but I've lived more than half my life in England, if you get the chance to move to Inverness then I would do it.  Inverness itself is a city like most others but the surrounding areas are beautiful and some can be remote but good links to the city.  And you're only a couple of hours drive to the gorgeous west coast of Scotland.

I don't have children so I don't know about shools or anything, but hey, phone the councils/tourist boards/town halls etc find things out.  Houses are cheaper than south of England certainly.

Scotland is great and if you are English don't worry, I think there's more English people in Scotland now than Scots :D  and we all get on.  I'm in Edinburgh but its very expensive to live here (although a great life!).

Word of warning.  It gets cold.  Very cold.  So if the cold does you in, maybe a rethink.  Grenada is very nice :D (small airport).  Hope I'm not being too cheeky!!

CG

You got me all confused then, had to ask other half if there was a Grenada in Scotland!  Thanks for the thoughts though, was worried about being hated, for the kids sake more than ours, maybe an idea to steer clear of the pubs when there is an England, Scotland game on!

What about Prestwick or surrounding area in Scotland, Chaliepud?  I was born and brought up there and its a nice area; beaches, countryside, everything you could need or want :)

Lesley

Hello there! :)

It all depends on why I suppose ! So why Cumbria as I can imagine the area and scenery but is it now you want to move or in a few years ? By the way what does your OH do at Swanwick ? We know one of the ATC there ! She has a lovely dog called Daisy who is the spit of 'Lucky' from the More Than adverts :D Totally out of control little madam but Helen ( mummy) has said she knows she is to blame ! Daisy is a very sweet dog but knows she is the boss ! :Rolleyes:

We are thinking with my job hunting we may have to relocate and move further 'Up North'  ;)  As in the midlands and we are really hating the idea but if we have to then so be it. So long as we get a village location like the one we are in now then we will be happy :) We are in a lovely village in the Cotswolds so we don't want to move.

Lucy
xx

If you do need to move near Southampton don't feel it is too bad as you have the wonderful New Forest nearby!! :) :) :)

Acres and acres and no worries about sheep.....ponies and cattle yes, but most dogs get used to these easily. Having just been to the Lakes and seen how beautiful the area is, i totally understand why you want to live there! But in my view it isn't that good for dog walking......(JMHO) and i much prefer the New Forest for the freedom of dogs off lead etc.... ;)

HOpe it works out for you, it is hard when work takes you away from what you wanted to be home.

Lindsay

Yes, OH is an ATC, currently at West Drayton.  If we go to Swanwick it will be around Jan 2006, if we go elsewhere it is really a case of waiting for a job to come up, so could be anytime.
As regards the New Forest, aren't there a lot of deer?  One of my dogs is a real hunter (despite me being totally against it, have tried to explain to her !) not that she has ever caught anything, and that would be a real worry.  We have really struggled to find anyhting we like in the way of towns or villages down near Swanwick.
Maybe we should start up a Champdogs village up north Lucy? :D

Hayley

There are lots of deer, but there are also lots of open areas and plains as well as the wooded bits :)  You never see deer there, or at least i never have.

Lindsay
X

Wer are going to try and go to the areas in the South we haven't visited yet in the next few months, will consider the eastern areas of the New Forest but have been warned about bad traffic in the summer months.  As for moving North Steve is trying to ignore me as he would be on less money up there, meaning a lesser pension later, but I feel I would rather have the better quality of life now, and surely all things work out equal in the end, i.e income against cost of living......
Thanks everyone

Hi Chaliepud,
I'm originally from Staffs area with OH coming from Brum/Shropshire. We moved down to Southampton in '91 and love it here (as do the kids and dog). You have fantastic beaches nearby, New Forest for everyone to run off some steam (and maybe for picnics as well, lol), decent enough schools (friend lives in Chandlers Ford and Thornden school there is excellent) and LOADS of parks. Southampton Common is huge and has a "paddling-pool complex thing" there, three pools in one very shallow through to deeper for the older kids, with fountain sprays etc. Kids absolutely love it, in fact we were there for nearly three hours today and still had to drag the kids home. Great dog-walking all round here as well with lots of country parks.

If I'm totally honest, then I would probably move back to Midlands given the chance but that's only because I miss my Dad and other family members (Mum lives down here now) but as far as the area goes, this wins hands down. Would break OH's heart to move from here, he loves it.

If you're coming down to have a look round then give me a shout. I can show you some of the local "dog-spots" and even throw in a cuppa! You have to be resilient though, an encounter with my mental Weim is one that will stay with you for life :D

Whatever you end up doing, hope it works out well for you.

Helen.

Hi Helen, have PM'd you

Me 2 u 2 :D