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Making the move from the bustling streets of London to the tranquil Cotswolds countryside remains a dream for many. The idea of trading in the constant hum of the city for the serene sounds of nature can be incredibly appealing.
However, we have discovered that for many people, the practical realities of this transition can be more challenging than anticipated.
Living in a rural location might offer peace and space, but it also requires significant adjustments—both in lifestyle and in the way we manage our homes. Village life is very different from town life and while some of the differences can be lovely, they can also be inconvenient and difficult to adjust to.
We have helped a number of clients who have moved to the Cotswolds from either London or overseas and we have noticed some common problems that tend to occur as they make the adjustment. These problems can be both practical and emotional.
In fact we have actually lived through this ourselves – Sue moved to the Cotswolds from the commuter belt of Surrey and Claire relocated here from Singapore.
So, as experienced rural residents as well as professional organisers, we thought it would be useful to offer our observations and tips to make the whole process easier.
Country living - the reality
Environment – the countryside can be surprisingly noisy, with tractors and farm vehicles going past in the early hours. The countryside can be smelly too – especially during muck spreading season, and let’s not get started on the mud! Country roads are often surprisingly busy and people tend to drive very fast on them – in fact statistically, country lanes are much more dangerous to drive on than city streets. It is pitch dark at night in the villages which can be a shock if you are used to streetlighting. Living in a country house you may need to get used to heating with oil, having a woodburner, possibly cooking on an aga or at least not having mains gas. Some houses may even have septic tanks. And then of course you may need to get used to sharing your home with country critters like mice, spiders, even slugs.
Property type - homes in the countryside often have more space, but the layout can be drastically different from what you’re used to in London. While a London flat might be compact and easy to manage, a countryside house could come with more rooms, outbuildings, and even outdoor spaces like gardens or sheds that require maintenance and organisation.
Services and Amenities – in the city, everything is close at hand including supermarkets, DIY shops, takeaways, etc. If you forget something, or don’t fancy cooking, you can just pop out, or order a meal for delivery. This is just not an option here! Living in the countryside can often mean a minimum of a 20 minute drive to get to these sorts of stores, or paying high prices for local stores with a limited selection. Very few takeaways will deliver to the villages, there is no JustEat or Deliveroo!
Lifestyle – living in the countryside is simply different, things can take longer, you may need a different sort of car than you are used to, maybe even different clothes. In the winter it is not unknown to be snowed in (or in the current weather, cut off by floods!) meaning that you may need to plan your shopping and food storage systems quite differently. If you are used to a busy life of work, gym, shopping, eating out, you may find country life quite boring.
Technology– getting the basics sorted like internet connections can be surprisingly difficult in a village, mobile reception can be poor, as can TV reception due to the hilly nature of the Cotswolds. If part of your rural dream involves working from home, this can present some challenges at least to begin with.
Transport – if you are used to regular and frequent public transport, village life can be a shock. There are buses, but they are far less frequent. Train services to London are great but there are often cancellations and delays, and the carparks at stations like Kingham and Charlbury are often very crowded so you need to get there early! Taxi services are few and far between and expensive – there is no such thing as an Uber!
Children and teenagers – for children and teenagers used to city life, the countryside can be a shock. The lack of amenities like parks, shopping, cinemas etc can leave them feeling isolated and as a parent you pretty much have to get used to being a “mum taxi” for many years to come. Many teenagers find the countryside boring, and they may miss the independence which many city kids have.
Emotional and Social Transition - leaving behind friends, family, and the vibrant social scene of London can lead to feelings of loneliness and disconnection in the countryside. Local people who have lived here a long time may not necessarily want to make friends with “incomers”. Many of the social opportunities can be community based and as such can take time to develop.
New life in the country? - here's the good news…
Reading the above may make you want to give up your rural dream and move back to the city! But in reality of course there are many great things about living in the Cotswolds, after all we are still here!
The things we like about country life include the beautiful scenery all around, and the lovely local towns like Cirencester and Stow on the Wold which offer a great selection of independent shops and cafes. There is an absolute plethora of fabulous pubs and restaurants to eat at and a real “food culture” locally with farm shops galore.
We have certainly valued the smaller schools and school community, as well as freedom from the “keeping up with the jones” culture which can prevail in the suburbs.
As children our kids definitely enjoyed enjoyed running around in the woods, but they have also been able to take part in many activities like Guides, Ballet, Swimming, Gymnastics, and Horseriding. Obviously rural crime does exist, and there are still problems with things like drugs, but in general the countryside is a much safer environment in which to raise a family.
And of course it’s not just children who can benefit – in fact our parents/parents in law have also made the move in later life, and they too have greatly enjoyed the lives they have been able to create here.
There are lots of opportunities to get involved in the local community which can be very rewarding, as well as plenty of places to visit and explore in the local area.
Cotswolds life - top tips for making the transition:
Choose your location carefully – we definitely advise taking the time to select a location to live which gives you the peace and quiet you crave but with relatively easy access to amenities. Some villages are more lively than others, generally the villages with schools/pubs/village stores will have more going on than villages which have a high proportion of second homes. Some villages are also closer to towns than others, or offer easier access to A roads – decide what your priorities are and draw up a shortlist. Enlist the services of a really good estate agent (the smaller independent ones can be best) or a relocation consultant or consider renting for a while.
Be open to the differences – if you accept that country life IS different, and embrace that, the transition can be so much easier. Expecting things to be the same as London, or mentally comparing it all the time, can just lead to frustration.
Seek out connections – depending on your age and stage of life, we strongly recommend that you make efforts to get to know people in your new area, whether that be through schools, clubs, voluntary work, or groups like the WI. Having a support network can prove extremely useful and help you settle in. Be humble, be willing to lend and hand and do your bit and people will in general be very welcoming.
Relocating to the country - how we can help
As professional organisers, we have helped many clients relocating or moving to the Cotswolds and we really enjoy helping them find solutions to their problems. Here are just a few of the ways we can help:
Moving in support - on a purely practical level we can help with the actual house move. We are very used to being there on moving day to work alongside the removal crew, we can get started right away in setting up the basics from unpacking your kitchen to making up your beds so you have somewhere to sleep on day one.
Getting organised - in the coming days after the move we can continue the process, setting up your pantry or home office, sorting out your linen cupboard, or getting the childrens rooms organised.
Feeling sorted and organised at home can really help you feel settled in mentally and get you off to a great start, rather than living in a sea of packing boxes for weeks to come!
In fact we often get calls from people who have already moved but are finding that it is taking them some time to get sorted, and we are always happy to come and help.
Creating a sense of home - we offer much more than just an unpacking service – we also love helping our clients turn their new house into a home. We can help you plan and organise the layout of your rooms, setting out the furniture and styling your accessories in an appealing way, unpacking ornaments and books to make it feel homely, we will even hang pictures and make up flat pack furniture.
Local contacts - we have a great “little black book” of contacts from electricians to gardeners to cleaners, so if there is anything that needs fixing, we can usually help. We can also offer advice on where to get help, community organisations, and so on.
Decluttering and curating - we tend to find that clients moving house from overseas or from London will bring an awful lot of “stuff” with them, especially if they are downsizing. As the weeks/months go by after the move you may find you no longer need it all – this is especially true of clothes, in fact you may find you need a whole new wardrobe!
We can help you go through your belongings, identifying what to keep, donate, or discard, ensuring that your new home isn’t overwhelmed with unnecessary items.
Emotional support - Whatever the cirmunstances, the stress and upheaval of a move is often underestimated. It can affect everyone, from the kids to the pets, and can be particularly difficult for older people. As professional organisers we can offer not just practical help, but also emotional support. We can provide guidance during overwhelming moments and help you see the bigger picture, making the transition feel less daunting.
Conclusion
Moving to the Cotswolds countryside is a significant life change, one that comes with both excitement and challenges. While rural life offers many rewards, the transition can be complex and overwhelming.
By reaching out and enlisting appropriate support, you can ease the strain of this move. And of course we are very much here to help you! So whether you are considering a move to the country, or have already moved and could use some extra help, do give us a call.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes
Sue & Claire
Tel 07720887205
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