Sue and her husband Stephen Knowles moved from "the other side" (Lancashire), from Bolton to Ingleton. The daily commute for Stephen to Manchester was one reason to move but they also wanted to start their own business and were ready for a fresh start and new challenge. The time for change "just felt right".
They set up their Bed and Breakfast, Harling House, after refurbishments were complete (nearly 3 months). They knew their earnings would fluctuate so Stephen took a part time job in Settle, which is an easy commute.
Sue and Stephen seem pretty happy living and working in the Yorkshire Dales. What do they most enjoy? How challenging has the move been?
Sue says, "The genuine feeling of being in a community, able to make more of our free time. Even if the free time is an hour here and there, we can soon enjoy the fresh air and a country stroll from our doorstep.
When we first arrived, everything was new to us - a brand new business (we had to find local workmen and make contacts), meeting new people, learning new computer systems. All without the backup of working in a team, which we had before. We were on our own. This has also been good for us: we felt revitalised as we've had to make ourselves do it. I would never have walked in to a pub on my own and introduced myself before! It took a while for us to get used to the trading set up in the villages and small towns around here - shops not open from 8am until 9pm compared to Manchester as an example. Half day closing too - that was a new one! It did feel a bit like going back in time, or 'how things should be'.
They set up their Bed and Breakfast, Harling House, after refurbishments were complete (nearly 3 months). They knew their earnings would fluctuate so Stephen took a part time job in Settle, which is an easy commute.
Sue and Stephen seem pretty happy living and working in the Yorkshire Dales. What do they most enjoy? How challenging has the move been?
Sue says, "The genuine feeling of being in a community, able to make more of our free time. Even if the free time is an hour here and there, we can soon enjoy the fresh air and a country stroll from our doorstep.
When we first arrived, everything was new to us - a brand new business (we had to find local workmen and make contacts), meeting new people, learning new computer systems. All without the backup of working in a team, which we had before. We were on our own. This has also been good for us: we felt revitalised as we've had to make ourselves do it. I would never have walked in to a pub on my own and introduced myself before! It took a while for us to get used to the trading set up in the villages and small towns around here - shops not open from 8am until 9pm compared to Manchester as an example. Half day closing too - that was a new one! It did feel a bit like going back in time, or 'how things should be'.
Something that has struck me is the amount of services and facilities that are run by volunteers. Examples include the local library, swimming pool, events organisers. And the people that do these things are passionate about it. My concern would be keeping these things alive, getting younger people involved so that the facility continues."
What are Sue's top tips for anyone thinking of moving here?
"Do your research on the location. We are glad that we chose Ingleton due to the facilities either within a short walk or within a short drive, so we aren't too remote. When we look back at some of the places we considered, they would have been too remote and we doubt whether a B&B would have taken bookings, and there wouldn't have been options for 'back up' earnings. You do have to think about what you might miss - evening at theatre or cinema, or a shopping trip to a department store. Maybe the meal out with work colleagues. But you have to ask yourself how often you need to do these things and how important they are to you. Our spending priorities have changed and we feel better for it!"
What are Sue's top tips for anyone thinking of moving here?
"Do your research on the location. We are glad that we chose Ingleton due to the facilities either within a short walk or within a short drive, so we aren't too remote. When we look back at some of the places we considered, they would have been too remote and we doubt whether a B&B would have taken bookings, and there wouldn't have been options for 'back up' earnings. You do have to think about what you might miss - evening at theatre or cinema, or a shopping trip to a department store. Maybe the meal out with work colleagues. But you have to ask yourself how often you need to do these things and how important they are to you. Our spending priorities have changed and we feel better for it!"
