IF ?

[BeardyMan]

I lived in the countryside for 20 years growing up. Out in the Fens, little village. Great fun, and yes, if I could live there and earn what I earn now I would. But I can't, so I need to live either near a city, or somewhere commutable. So that leaves either a motorway near by, or a decent train station. All of those locations are now jacked up in price as people realise they can live in the countryside but work in the city. This has driven the house prices (to rent or buy) way above what is normal.

We moved to Southampton from Tadley, a little village in Hampshire. Southampton is a shit hole, full of students and foreigners and "locals". None of which I really like to socialise with. Why did we move here? Property in the Tadley / Basingstoke / Newbury area is extortionate, easy transport links to London jacking those prices up again. Southampton is cheap(ish) for what you get, half decent transport links to London and by the Sea. As the wife now has a permanent job then we have to stay in this area. Given half a chance I'd move to the Isle of Wight as property is even cheaper there. Failing that then it would be the New Forest (if we win the lottery). If work wasn't an issue then believe me, I'd down tools and move us all into the middle of nowhere - somewhere right up the north of Scotland. NOT deepest darkest Wales, as 90% of UK preppers will be heading there should anything happen.

So at the moment it's not really a choice to remain - the wife wants a job. She has one now that isn't just a wage coming in, it's brilliant training. She'll be prepping people for operations and assisting in theatre.

When will we decide that the cities are too dangerous to remain in?
Hopefully before it's too late...