HELP-possibly relocating to LONDON- can it be done??

yes, i used to live/work in central london with the horses out in south bucks - the commute was hellish, so i moved out to south bucks and now commute in - much easier. we have individual turnout and decent hacking.
 
so i imagine that if i could get a decent livery yard within commuting distance I would be opting to live out of London near horse, rather than live near work!
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Just something to bear in mind - renting in Surrey or indeed anywhere in the nice bits on the outskirts of London is bloody expensive, and often no cheaper than living somewhere much closer in, in zone 1 or 2.

Add to that the commuting costs - if you're in a tube zone, then a 1-6 monthly travelcard is about £180 a month I think. If you're a little further out [I live in High Wycombe and have a 40 minute train journey into Paddington], and have to get the train in, then you'll be looking at paying up to around £400 a month for travel.

So it could well end up being a false economy to live further out believing it will be cheaper - although of course if you're daily travelling to ride then you might be doing it anyway. But please don't discount the commuting costs when you're factoring in expense, because they can be massive!
 
kickonchaps said:
Do you guys get much turnout? Also what's the hacking like where you are?
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I keep mine on the Herts/London border (we are inside the M25 and ride over and next to it all the time) and its all day turn out from however early till 4.30pm in the winter months and then summer its night time turnout in during the day and no set times really :). Hacking is OK especially when I cross the M25 its good! Just takes a bit longer to get to any decent fields for a gallop than it did when I was in Leics where the gallops were literally on your doorstep :)
 
Probably you won't live centrally, will you? I live in Herts and pay £120 a month, hay and bedding on top. I live near Watford Junction station, 20 minutes to Euston. There are several yards near me. Mine has 24/7 turnout. :)
 
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The commuting thing is interesting as I get to the yard by public transport so I do it in reverse in the evening.
If I lived near the yard I would be travelling in to London in the morning peak hours and that would cost more than twice as much as getting to the yard after work which is off peak. Add to that that the house prices near the yard are not any cheaper than where I live in London means while it might be more convenient to live near the yard it would not work out cheaper.

Alot of people I know live between work and the yard and after work they go home first, get the car and drive to the yard. Or leave the car at the station they get into work from and drive to the yard straight from there.

For me the one essential is an all weather floodlit school so in the winter I can ride after work. That and a yard that doesn't try and kick you off at a set time.
 
I live between Orpington and Westerham in Kent and work a minimum of 9-5.30 in 2 London locations, City and West End. 5 min drive to station (Chelsfield) and 18 min fast train to London Bridge. I have 4 horses on DIY, with no assistance (although it is available) so it is do-able. Pay approx £35/week per stable. All year turnout available if you don't mind sharing big field ( you can elec fence off your own bit if needed) or limited in winter for individual turnout. Summer fields rested all winter, so kept nice for summer. As well as large floodlit school, also have a walker which is a lifesaver. Only drawback is often being the only one there at night, as don't usually finish horses before 9 and most people get done by 6.30.
 
Thanks everyone! i totally didnt expect such a big response. Im slightly comforted by the fact that it is possible to do it. Im just going to have to get a massive pay rise for it to be bareable:eek:, and i need to get my head around the fact that i have it really good at the moment and its probably not going to be this good / easy down south!

Thanks to all those who offered help, if the big move does happen then i might well be sending a few pm's out to you for a bit more assistance!! :D
 
I'd deff suggest St Albans, in Herts. It's a really nice little town with lots of nice shops and restaurants etc. It is on the Thameslink line. Takes 20mins into St Pancras and about 30Mins in to City Thameslink.
I keep my horse about 10mins from St Albans on working livery for £200 a month. This covers everything except insurance!! Plus, he's mucked out etc 5 days a week so if you get stuck in the city you dont have to worry!

Have a look at St Albans, and let me know if you like it!
 
Jane_Lou said:
It might me worth looking at Central Bedfordshire as well - Harlington, Flitwick or at a push Leagrave stations on the Thameslink link - direct trains from those stations into City Thameslink in about 40 mins. Travel won't be cheap but rent is much lower than in some of the areas quoted and DIY livery at a yard with decent facilities, ok hacking and turnout all year round will cost you around £25 per week, most provide assisted livery. Although your travel costs will be more, your other cost savings may make up for it and the commute is not too bad. You would need a car at the "home" end though to get to yards etc but well worth looking into. I may even be pursuaded to rent you a room if you could cope with a drafty old cottage with a resident cmad cat in a tiny village! (but only 5 mins by car from station!) There is even a yard within walking distance - no school but good all year turnout and amazing hacking (and cheapest around for miles!)
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Sounds perfect!! :D when can i move in? hahaha :D
 
Denzel said:
I'd deff suggest St Albans, in Herts. It's a really nice little town with lots of nice shops and restaurants etc. It is on the Thameslink line. Takes 20mins into St Pancras and about 30Mins in to City Thameslink.
I keep my horse about 10mins from St Albans on working livery for £200 a month. This covers everything except insurance!! Plus, he's mucked out etc 5 days a week so if you get stuck in the city you dont have to worry!

Have a look at St Albans, and let me know if you like it!
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Ill definitely check it out- thanks for the advice! :)
 
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