Live in London but love driving...
Discussion
So I live in the London burbs, have done pretty much my whole 38 years.
Between my wife and I we have 5 cars now, luckily we can park them...for now. I don’t have a garage and I don’t really like selling cars, I enjoy fixing them when they go wrong (sometimes not possible without a garage), and I seem to be constantly looking at the classifieds so no doubt it won’t be long before I buy again (I may have some form of addiction but I can’t find a car specific one on google).
So, late thirties couple, no kids, one cat, owned our place for c15 years. Should we move out of London for a small detached house with a huge driveway and double garage that I could possibly put a lift in?
Concern is the boredom of being away from the bright lights, selection of restaurants, friends and importantly my business which is based in zone 2 and impossible to move due to its local nature.
I figured one day we’d get to the age that it would happen but honestly the only thing pushing me is the space for cars and workshop. And I know once I’m out there ain’t no coming back due to prices.
Big decisions...
Eta: needless to say I dont get to stretch the legs of my fleet being stuck in constant traffic, speed humps, 20 zones etc.
Between my wife and I we have 5 cars now, luckily we can park them...for now. I don’t have a garage and I don’t really like selling cars, I enjoy fixing them when they go wrong (sometimes not possible without a garage), and I seem to be constantly looking at the classifieds so no doubt it won’t be long before I buy again (I may have some form of addiction but I can’t find a car specific one on google).
So, late thirties couple, no kids, one cat, owned our place for c15 years. Should we move out of London for a small detached house with a huge driveway and double garage that I could possibly put a lift in?
Concern is the boredom of being away from the bright lights, selection of restaurants, friends and importantly my business which is based in zone 2 and impossible to move due to its local nature.
I figured one day we’d get to the age that it would happen but honestly the only thing pushing me is the space for cars and workshop. And I know once I’m out there ain’t no coming back due to prices.
Big decisions...
Eta: needless to say I dont get to stretch the legs of my fleet being stuck in constant traffic, speed humps, 20 zones etc.
Where in London DO you live? I live right on the edge of South London. I have a Croydon postcode, live in Sutton and also Surrey. 1/4 of a mile from the Greater London Boundary. 20 minutes from the Surrey hills and 25 minutes from London Bridge on the train (station is a 10 minute walk away) about as good as it gets in the South East of England. Ok it gets busy at weekends but I’ve given up fast cars now and just bought a classic so I don’t need to be anywhere in a hurry and as I drive flash cars for a living and I need a clean licence it’s just as well the roads aren’t too empty!
Edited by Lordbenny on Saturday 17th August 06:21
London is fine for enjoying cars as long as you can get to a main road easily and travel out. Then it is no different to those that live outside of London as you can get to those country roads fairly quickly. You get the best of everything. I too can’t see myself moving outside of London.
I’m aware that people hire workshops to work on cars in London. Maybe something to look into.
I’m aware that people hire workshops to work on cars in London. Maybe something to look into.
Edited by delta0 on Saturday 17th August 08:49
freenote said:
Finchley so pretty far north. When we moved here it was much quieter but the amount of development that has happened and is still happening has made it very busy on the roads.
You're a stone's throw from Barnet, Potters Bar and country lanes ![biggrin](/inc/images/biggrin.gif)
Being in the country is nice but I wouldn't want to have to drive miles to a supermarket or hospital or lose a selection of good shops and restaurants. Shmee150 seems to cope in west London and Supercars of London (Paul Wallace) can't wait to drive from Watford into town to film various Bugattis and Ferrari's driven around central London...
Inevitable housing development will add to more traffic but you can escape to the country in under half an hour
![wink](/inc/images/wink.gif)
When I moved out of London I had high hopes of all that. It was going to be like Harry’s Garage!
But you also find yourself standing on freezing mainline stations at stupid o’clock under starlit skies with fellow losers wondering what they are doing with their lives.
That’s the balance. Do you really like cars that much or could you have a bit of a car clear out, maybe rent some workshop time, and stay close to work.
But you also find yourself standing on freezing mainline stations at stupid o’clock under starlit skies with fellow losers wondering what they are doing with their lives.
That’s the balance. Do you really like cars that much or could you have a bit of a car clear out, maybe rent some workshop time, and stay close to work.
Am about 10 years behind you. Just moved to London, zone 2 currently but on the hunt for house number 1.
Sold the cars, currently on an electric bike and missing it hugely. Foresee a time when I’ll be making the same decision, as others said there’s a trade off you’ll have to make, I’d be thinking exactly as you are.
Without meaning to make assumptions about your finances, if you bought 15 years ago in the London burbs and are running 5 cars, is releasing a bit of equity and buying somewhere in the sticks an option?
Doesn’t have to cost the earth, I know people who’ve bought in mid wales on the coast for not a lot and got a holiday home as well as somewhere to park amongst some of the best roads in the country!
Sold the cars, currently on an electric bike and missing it hugely. Foresee a time when I’ll be making the same decision, as others said there’s a trade off you’ll have to make, I’d be thinking exactly as you are.
Without meaning to make assumptions about your finances, if you bought 15 years ago in the London burbs and are running 5 cars, is releasing a bit of equity and buying somewhere in the sticks an option?
Doesn’t have to cost the earth, I know people who’ve bought in mid wales on the coast for not a lot and got a holiday home as well as somewhere to park amongst some of the best roads in the country!
gtr_jonathan said:
Driving in London itself is mind numbingly tedious hence I do most of my miles outside of London with various road trips.
Absolutely agree but needs must, so I am building a fleet in order to mix things up and not lose the love of cars and driving. Took the 135i for a hoon after work today up in herts as suggested above. Was great fun but I definitely need some quality tyres on it - much more twitchy than my old 335i.The Li-ion King said:
You're a stone's throw from Barnet, Potters Bar and country lanes
Finchley is a nice part of the world, I am your Haringey neighbour. From Wood Green I can reach Waltham Abbey and loads of country lanes, if you leave London, it can be harder to return if you wished.
![biggrin](/inc/images/biggrin.gif)
freenote said:
Absolutely agree but needs must, so I am building a fleet in order to mix things up and not lose the love of cars and driving. Took the 135i for a hoon after work today up in herts as suggested above. Was great fun but I definitely need some quality tyres on it - much more twitchy than my old 335i.
I’m just a stone’s throw away from the aforementioned roads! Pic from an outing by various London-based PH members in June 2018.![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/d2mUKb8W.jpg)
freenote said:
How does one get an invite to one of these events?
They weren’t formal events as such, just random London-based PHers meeting up very early to go for a Sunday drive. Junkalus used to organise these drives but I suspect he has decided to retire from the role!I’m happy to sort something out if there is enough interest? I’m also doing the following events / trips over the coming weeks and months if anyone wants to join in.
Sunday 25th August @ 9am - Surrey Car Meet, Buckmore Park Kart Circuit, Kent ME5 9QG
Sunday 8th September @ 10am - Low Collective, Stonham Barns Leisure & Shopping Village, Suffolk IP14 6AT
Friday - Sunday 13th to 15th September - Weekend roadtrip to Nürburgring via some nice driving roads. Full TF session on Saturday 14th September so I have booked a track car + instructor from Apex. My mate will also be going in his BMW 1M.
Sunday 6th October @ 9am - Sunday Scramble, Bicester Heritage, Oxfordshire OX26 5HA. Might combine it with a lunchtime visit to Caffeine & Machine near Stratford-upon-Avon.
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