November 22nd 2024.
When I first moved to London in 2018, I couldn't help but feel like a walking cliché. I was a 24-year-old girl from a small town in Norfolk that no one had ever heard of. But for as long as I could remember, I had always dreamt of living in a big city and making something of myself. New York was my ultimate goal, but the process of moving there was daunting, so I settled for London, also known as the "Big Smoke."
My family and friends were skeptical of my decision. They didn't think I was cut out for the fast-paced and harsh reality of London life. I remember a colleague jokingly saying at my leaving drinks, "You'll be back here in six months, you're too nice for a place like that." But I was determined to prove them wrong, and by 2023, I had fallen in love with the city. The hustle and bustle, the endless activities, and the amazing food were everything I had hoped for and more.
But then, everything changed when my husband was diagnosed with cancer. It was a harsh reminder that life is unpredictable and can throw unexpected challenges our way. We were lucky that his surgery went well and he didn't need further treatment, but it was a difficult time for both of us. The city that was once our love story suddenly became emotionally and physically exhausting for him. He needed a change of pace, and although I was hesitant, I wanted to give him whatever he needed. Looking back, I should have paid more attention to my own feelings.
That's how we found ourselves in Tunbridge Wells, looking at a beautiful two-bedroom cottage in the suburbs. The kitchen alone was bigger than our entire flat in London, and it even had a garden and parking, all for the same price we were paying in the city. We could see lush green fields from the spare bedroom window, and the nearby Dunorlan Park seemed like the perfect place to walk our future puppy.
After living in a small apartment with a tiny kitchen and a cramped bedroom, this place felt like a dream come true. And the town itself seemed like a great fit for us. The Pantiles were charming, it had some of our favorite stores and restaurants, and it ticked off many of our boxes. So, in January 2024, we packed everything into a van and said goodbye to our home in Kennington.
At first, the change was exciting. We started going to the local pub on Friday nights with friends who lived nearby, enjoyed leisurely walks into town for brunch on the weekends, and explored the beautiful surrounding counties like Pooh Corner, Rye, and Camber Sands. It seemed like Tunbridge Wells was the perfect place for us. But as time went on, doubts started creeping in. Was this really the right place for us? Would we miss the fast-paced city life? Only time would tell.
When I first moved to London in 2018, I couldn't believe I was finally living in the big city. Coming from a small town in Norfolk, I had always dreamed of being somewhere bigger and brighter with more excitement and opportunities. New York was my ultimate goal, but since that was a bit complicated, I settled for the vibrant atmosphere of London.
Of course, not everyone was on board with my decision. My family and friends were skeptical, thinking I wouldn't be able to handle the fast-paced and competitive lifestyle in the city. But I was determined to prove them wrong, especially when a colleague at my leaving drinks predicted I would be back in my hometown within six months.
But as the years went on, I fell in love with London more and more. The hustle and bustle, endless activities, and amazing food made me feel like I was living my dream. Of course, there were some downsides, like the high rent prices and the occasional mouse in our apartment, but overall, I was thriving in the city.
Then, in 2023, my husband received a cancer diagnosis and suddenly everything changed. It was a wake-up call that made me realize what truly mattered in life. Thankfully, he was able to undergo successful surgery and didn't require further treatment, but it still took a toll on him.
Living in London became emotionally and physically exhausting for my husband. He needed a change of pace, and although I was hesitant at first, I wanted to support him in any way I could. Looking back, I wish I had taken more time to consider my own feelings.
That's how we found ourselves in Tunbridge Wells, exploring a charming two-bedroom cottage in the suburbs. The kitchen alone was bigger than our entire apartment, and the fact that it came with a garden and parking for the same price we were paying in London was mind-blowing.
From the spare bedroom window, we could see lush green fields and Dunorlan Park, which seemed like the perfect place to walk our future puppy. After living in a small apartment, this place seemed too good to be true. And the town itself was a perfect fit for us, with its picturesque Pantiles, trendy stores like Gail's and Anthropologie, and a variety of independent restaurants.
In January 2024, we packed up our belongings and said goodbye to our home in Kennington. At first, the move was exciting and new. We enjoyed going to the local pub with friends on Friday nights and leisurely walks into town for brunch on the weekends. And we took advantage of our new location to explore nearby places like Pooh Corner and Rye and Camber Sands.
But as time went on, I started to miss the hustle and bustle of London and the endless opportunities it offered. I wondered if Tunbridge Wells was truly the right place for us, or if we had made a hasty decision in the midst of a difficult time. Only time will tell if we truly belong in this commuter town.
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