[Closed] Would you move house just to be closer to better biking?

I wouldn't move where the riding was poor & I'd have to use a car to get to trails, I'd move to Wales or Scotland in a heartbeat if there was work for me there

Would being close to better riding, walking, paddling and skiing count? If so, then yes.

Would you move house just to be closer to better biking?

In a heartbeat, and the missus would too. Sadly work gets in the way - for now 🙁

You have to live near somewhere with reasonable trails but you can't live near the very best as you'll never appreciate just how good you have it and find travelling anywhere else damn boring 🙂

We both would in a heart beat if money/ work wasn't an issue .

If work wasn't an issue then yes, in a heartbeat. If I ever find myself in the position of relocating for a job then the riding (or lack of) would definitely be a contributing factor of wether I made the move or not.

Friend of mine just moved to South Wales just for the riding. He's a truck driver and his Mrs is an agency care assistant so neither of them had any real ties.

My Mrs told me 3 yrs ago that she was planning on progressing her career(NHS) and would mean moving house and asked what I felt about it? told her to only consider jobs near some big hills and forget Cambridgeshire Lincolnshire luckily she got a job in the South Lakes. Looks like she is progressing even more and another move is on the cards, Looks like she will be commuting 🙂

Exactly as legend says, one day fingers crossed!

Davesmate is that Dione and Nicky?

All the stars lined up for me 20 years ago. I moved from Ironbridge to the South Coast where I am now. I was a mad keen up and coming sailor (RYA squad) and travelling to the coast for events each week became a physical and mental challenge. Working for a large Bank I managed a transfer to run a Regional office and sailed right out of the Hamble where I'd been travelling to and from for years.
So, I moved for my love of my sport, what's stopping you?

Did just that for both cycling and climbing.

Would you move house just to be closer to better biking?

yes postierich

Yup, moved to the Peaks 20 years ago for that very reason.

@ rocketdog just move mate then sort the work out that's the only way I have ever made it happen .

Yes.
One of the main pulls to move Sheffield to Scotland was quality of life, of which lots of mountains and activities was a huge part of.

Have seriously spent the weekend questioning whether to leave academia to have better work life balance and allow us to move closer to the hills (admittedly we don't do badly in the NE). Problem is I don't know what else I'd do. That is more the limiting factor.

We moved house to get a barge to put two Ducatis in. Does that count?

Yes

I did.

It works because I found better paid work close by too.

It's awesome.

Nearly did this towards the end of last year via an internal transfer. Unfortunately we lost a big contract so everything was put on hold, hoping to resurrect it once the dust has settled.

So yes, I would!

I did it last summer. Of course that's not what I tell people who don't ride bikes, and there are many other advantages, but if I'm honest the biking was the main reason for me. Of course it helped that my better half also wanted to move for entirely different reasons so we'd have probably done it anyway, but I certainly wouldn't have moved anywhere where there wasn't biking on the doorstep.

Yes. Moving to somewhere with fantastic trails straight from the door is quality-of-life nirvana. Especially when you've got a good summer like last year, and you can just swan off out on dry, dusty awesomez trails on a whim, most evenings.

You do have to sacrifice some other stuff, like all the art galleries you never visit, access to organic quinoa, and being over-charged in poncey bars, but would I move back to the city?

**** that!!! 😀

No. Because I wouldn't have moved anywhere that wasn't near good trails in the first place 🙂

PeterPoddy - Member

We moved house to get a barge to put two Ducatis in

from Formby to Horwich, ok its not mtb mecca but it was better than west houghton

I did. Started a job which meant some days I was working mornings and evenings leaving middle of the day free to do other stuff ... like ride my bike. Eccles wasn't exactly well placed for heading out from the door stop, even on the road bike. Moved to New Mills. May well never leave.

Am moving from Essex to Skipton for better biking, scenery, hiking, schools, and ale.

I was brought up in formby. Left as soon as I could support myself (17) live in Sheffield now - 20+ years.

Originally for climbing then fell running now a return to Mtb.

So yes...

yep, when I had to find a job after lest employers turned out to be arseholes, made a list of places I wanted to be and made it no.1 requirement

I'm a 20 minute drive from Glentress and Innerleithen.

I'm moving to Peebles or Inners to be closer to riding.

So yes. Totally.

Ian when did you leave Formby?

its soo flat. but i did enjoy the pinewoods

Yup....got a bolt hole in Spain.....just hanging on as Dont want to retire too early an get bored..

I just have done can ride from home now it's ace. House is loads nicer to though which kept my better half happy.

Very tempted, as I'm contracting now, so could really base myself anywhere.
Trouble is, Location for all major routes where I am now is perfect, but the riding from my door is crap.

So, yes, very, very, tempted.

How else would you decide where to live?

milky1980 - Member
Nearly did this towards the end of last year via an internal transfer. Unfortunately we lost a big contract so everything was put on hold, hoping to resurrect it once the dust has settled.

So yes, I would!

Eh!? You live in South Wales and have some pretty bloody good riding within spitting distance of you, admittedly not from your door but you're doing better than a lot of other people, me included. You're not moving to the Peaks are you?

Fortunate enough to live where I can ride out of home/work both on the MTB and have road bike. My plan is in a few years if work went tits up I'd be able to contract from the bottom of my garden.

Yeah. Hertfordshire is proper boring pile of overpriced shite

We could do with a list of "MTB meca's" 😉

Bought a place 15 mins from Leogang. Planning to gradually spend more time there year by year.

South lakes. Bosh.

Lived in Cockermouth then took up biking properly over 10 years ago, the Job got me there the outdoors was a bonus.

I've always been prepared to travel for my fun so in the end i'd still probably choose to do that rather than slog out a work commute 5 days a week to feel too knackered to do any of the local stuff.

So in summary it's the combination.

Looking to move again for a lot of reasons, unless it's to Canberra the riding will be worse but any of the 3 cities I'm looking at will still give me some riding and the job change should open up many more riding & holiday opportunities.

Absolutely - did it 2 years back
Moved away to new job...endured 9 months of flat, muddy, field edge riding...Sacked the job in and moved back

Nothing wrong with the job 🙂

Am considering moving somewhere where the biking is worse, and it weighs heavy but is offset by other stuff. I have in the past moved to be closer to nature/mtbing, it all depends on given priorities at a particular time.

I did move within 1min cycle of 2 well known road cycling cafes/ride departure points in SE London but it wasn't the deciding factor but certainly helped me choose where to move to.

I have and would again.
I don't think it really has to limit earning, or anything else really.
I used to commute to Manchester with no problem and I'm sure there's pretty much every kind of job/salary there.

How else would you decide where to live?

Decent surf would trump good riding for me.

I'd love to move to the FoD area - but all our family are here, and I wouldn't want to take my children away from their grandparents/aunties/uncles/cousins etc just for a bit of better riding.

Look at this little beauty near darley dale, splendid cycling on your doorstep. Just 135k, what would you get in london for that? perfect for a single man with easy commute to sheffield or chesterfield. Could install a big proper metal shed with power for bike fixing and storing.
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-46932737.html

Nope would not move for any hobby/pastime

From Norfolk to Edinburgh was a step in the right direction. Though I came here here to go to art school, I chose it over London art schools as life here is much better for me. I've got hills here and better riding not too far away but I do sometimes wonder about going further north to live.

I could possibly do the job I do now in Inverness and be closer to much of the Highlands but I'd really miss living in Edinburgh.

Bought a house (with land) in South Wales to be near good riding. MTBing for me and horse riding for her.
She has found local work to keep things ticking over for herself, I commute to the South East still for work!....bit of a bugger but worth it for the house, the privacy (no neighbours!), the fresh air etc and that feeling of selling a poxy 2-bed terrace in the South East and getting 4-bedrooms and ten acres here for the same money, genuinely have to pinch myself some mornings.
Only thing that will make it perfect will be when I can transfer work wise to Wales.

Not really, I live in Cardiff which has the best mix of work and riding opportunities - there's great local riding on my 6 min commute home from work - summer is like Nirvana for me, finish work at 5, drive 3 mins to the local spot, start riding - a few mates will join me later as they work a further away, have a laugh and still get home to put the Baby to bed at 7pm.

you drive for 3 minutes??

Major reason I haven't moved is due to the convenient location. It's not slap on the trail heads but it's equal distance of two major riding areas in the South East, 15mins to half an hour drive but also rideable to them, plus some more local xc.

Though I need a bigger house for more bikes. I keep thinking of places nearer to Surrey Hills, but it puts me further away from other areas, and also a bit more hassle for transport links into London, getting to the airports and to the M4 to get to Wales.

Moved from the SE to the Scottish Borders a couple of years ago to take over my parents place. The mtbing and horse-riding kinda made it an easy decision.

Don't underestimate though how difficult it is from a work perspective, from been near London to nowhere near anywhere.

No, never

Great location where I am now, good for the family, near wider family, good for work etc

Moving away would get me more stuff for me, but less stuff for the family

I'd also either earn less, or have less career opportunity

But its a nice romantic notion, but never going to happen

Looking at a move from Nottingham to Sheffield. Not sure it gets us to the riding sweet spot but it certainly gets us closer.

jekkyl

you drive for 3 minutes???

Yeah, I need my car for work, I'll probably do 30-50 miles a day on average and need to take the kids to nursery / breakfast club on the way in so I can't leave it here so I end up commuting for about 6-10 mins every day, there's a brilliant cycle network too (North Cardiff to Taffs Well) and it would probably be quicker to cycle but I can't put an 8 month old and all her stuff on my bike.

I live and work as a Safety Officer in the steel works at Port Talbot, I suppose I don't realise how lucky I am to live so close to Afan and Glyncorrowg. Bike park Wales is only 25 minutes away with cwmcarn being 35 minute drive. I think it's bonkers seeing people from all over the world visit Afan.

I think it's bonkers seeing people from all over the world visit Afan.

I did, a good point I made was that we would see more of each other as I would be in the car travelling to places to ride less.

Kind of the reverse for me. I didn't move to Scotland for the mountain biking, but I only do mountain biking because I live in Scotland. When I lived in England and the States I found other ways to amuse myself 🙂

A bit of the opposite for us.

Had several opportunities to move but decided to stay put largely because of the location and proximity to good riding and open spaces.

However, now considering a move purely on the basis that it get us somewhere better still!

Not sure I'd uproot for biking alone, but on selecting where to a take a job the riding in North Wales was a big factor (versus Newcastle, London and Bournemouth). Travel a fair bit to cities so still get opportunities for galleries I never visit (and rarely did when living in London).

I live in south-central Bristol - just a stone's throw from the trails at Ashton Court and Leigh Woods. I've lived here for nearly 10 years, during which time the trails have gone from unofficial and muddy to official and properly constructed.

I was only reflecting last night how much difference it makes to me to have these trails local to me. They're not the most amazing, but without them I'd probably not be MTB'ing very much at this stage in my life (2 young kids).

I would only move to somewhere that offered a similar level of trail access, whatever the trails.

The point is that you don't have to move to somewhere far-flung to enjoy lots of MTB'ing.

Found that, so far, Edinburgh is a good compromise/balance. Wouldn't mind a move to Peebles area, but it's not that far away* anyway and the Pentland Hills are on my doorstep here.

Work wise I changed industry, but stayed in the same technical discipline. OK so far but think I might have to be open to doing something different in the future, e.g. Financial or IT sectors.

*E.g. compared with living in the South East

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This was biking from the door, work was an easy 20 mile drive each way or a long ride home some days. This was worth it, would take a hell of a lot to make me live somewhere for average riding and a crap 5 day hell commute.

I did nearly 20 years ago, but for climbing, working in Northumberland. And that's where I met people who got me back into biking. Now back in Edinburgh but I don't regret that move.

There's a difference between moving thinking it is permanent and moving for a time / experience / change.

I have a 2 year plan, to move to South Wales/Herefordshire border so I can be close to more biking.
Living in the South East is stupidly expensive, and I am paying to live next to London, when I have no desire to go there.
Being a teacher I am lucky in that wherever I go, wages will be the same and there will always be jobs.

I went to uni in Sheffield so i could ride out to the peak district every day if i chose. One of the best decisions i made.

I now live in Helsinki and it's so incredibly flat. If i can move away from here, it'll be somewhere with good, natural trails.

Yeah, I need my car for work, I'll probably do 30-50 miles a day on average and need to take the kids to nursery / breakfast club on the way in so I can't leave it here so I end up commuting for about 6-10 mins every day, there's a brilliant cycle network too (North Cardiff to Taffs Well) and it would probably be quicker to cycle but I can't put an 8 month old and all her stuff on my bike.

Have you thought about a double trailer? I'd do this regularly if I could work out the timings.

Kids in trailer. Stuff inside with them, or on the back attached with a cargo net

Love doing the school run in the trailer, just doesn't happen very often

Have you thought about a double trailer? I'd do this regularly if I could work out the timings.

Kids in trailer. Stuff inside with them, or on the back attached with a cargo net

Love doing the school run in the trailer, just doesn't happen very often

Maybe when she's older and when we move somewhere quieter but not now, the standard of driving immediately near where I live is some of the worst I've seen anywhere in the world. Seriously.

The idea of trailing my little baby behind me... nope.

Although we're going to Bluestone for a long weekend in June, I'll be renting a trailer there, we can't wait! 🙂

HansRey - but you didn't mention that Helsinki has tons of sustrans type trails plus is half forest with limitless singletrack! I've moved from Bristol to Helsinki and get more proper riding in here because you can live closer to the tracks and forest and still be within decent distance of work. I.e. my commute can be anything from a 15 minute mostly gravel track to a route taking in 5 different CX/MTB XC courses and 4 stages of a national enduro race! That's without considering the road or pavement options. Yes it's flat in that there are no decent sized hills which is quite frustrating, but in terms of short sharp hills and easy to difficult singletrack it's great...

Oh and in terms of cycling with kids, trailers etc its also fantastic, pretty much any route can be done on proper separated cycle paths, either away from roads, or wide half and half or shared use pedestrians and cyclist pavement next to most roads. (Though I still find it weird you're allowed to ride a moped on a cycle path with pedestrians, some of the modded ones are pretty fast!)

We did.

Spent 15 years working in London and traveling all over the country to go riding every weekend. Moved to W. Sheffield 3 years ago, and on the whole, it rocks.

Upsides are a MUCH nicer house, rides directly from the doorstep. Summer evening cheeky trails and days off (like today) where you can just get out and ride into stunning countryside. Great riding communit. Hell - the area you rode on Saturday, I've not been to on the MTB in ages, as relatively its a bit crap. Awesome road riding too.

Downsides. Now having local trails - they can get a bit same old/same old. There's not too much twisty singeltrack locally, and what there is gets trashed in the winter. Work - I've kept my old job in London, but work from home 3 days a week - that bit's fine, but the London time commits immoralities with goats, especially as I end up sleeping on the floor 1 or 2 nights of the week. (I'd be looking at a 40% ish pay cut to move work up here). Herself has been struggling for work for the last 12 months, but it looks like something may have come up finally, which is good news.

Oh - and weather - jeezus but it can be miserable up here at times - usually about 30 seconds after the sun's been out.

Wouldn't move back to London without a hell of a fight, now.

[b]northernmatt[/b]

Eh!? You live in South Wales and have some pretty bloody good riding within spitting distance of you, admittedly not from your door but you're doing better than a lot of other people, me included. You're not moving to the Peaks are you?

Had the possibility of Sheffield area or Scotland. The trouble with riding the same areas since I was 12 is it gets a bit samey so was looking into a change. Plus I could actually afford my own place further up the country.

I could always come back here to ride whenever as I've got plenty of family down here. Plans on hold though.

We lived fairly near decent trails but it meant a half an hour climb on the bikes.
Because I needed a place where I could work from home, instead of building an extension, we upped and moved only a couple of miles to be nearer even more trails.
So yes.

Other considerations apart from the riding and working from home bit, was of course a decent sized garage. The actual house was the compromise.

Doing the reverse to my horror:-( Moved to Cumbria a few years ago and have had an amazing time. Half an hour from some of the best riding in the country. Unfortunately, life has pretty much dictated that we need to move back to the south east to be closer to family etc.
The selfish in me is heartbroken(kayaking,biking,climbing etc are all lifelong hobbies.)But am grateful for the time we've had here. Home down saarf is approx. 8 miles away from Chicksands/Woburn, which are great but feel very much like the booby prize at the mo.