Grace Bull and her family are used to moving around as her husband is in the RAF. Their last move was up to Yorkshire from Surrey.
As Grace describes, living in Yorkshire is a little different to their previous life in Surrey - "We are much more remote then we were in Surrey. We could walk to the train station and the shops where we last lived and were a half an hour drive from most places. It has taken us about a year to readjust to living more remotely. Our nearest village is a 10 minute drive away and closest towns are 20 minute drives. For those who don’t drive it is quite an isolated place to live, especially as bus services are limited and non-existent from where we are based. Thankfully though both my husband and I both drive and so this is not a problem. I would say the biggest challenge for us is that our nearest train station is 20 minutes away and a £25 taxi ride either way."
While her husband is at RAF Leeming, Grace works from home as a blogger and has recently written her first book. She also enjoys working with some communities in the Yorkshire Dales, mainly on a voluntary basis. "We need to keep our small towns and villages alive, keep our wonderful small schools open and preserve local services and have plenty of people here to work in local businesses. We think it’s a marvellous place to live so we’re all very enthusiastic! Yorkshire is full to the brim with things to do, indoors and out. Every village and town has something to offer, whether it is a famous tearoom, a gallery, museum or ruin to explore. It is truly a fantastic place for children to grow up in. Space to run free and play, breathe in the fresh air and just be children. We're in a great location. Within an hours drive we can get to York, Leeds, Durham, Darlington and Newcastle."
Does Grace have any top tips for anyone thinking of moving here?
"Do your research. What do you, as a family, need and like to do? How far is it to do those things and how far are you willing to drive or get used to driving to get there? How old are your children and how can they grow into where you are moving to? How far will you as parents need to chauffeur them around when they get older? How far is the school your children will go to? Do you both drive and if not, are you willing to learn or at least be near transport links?
"Since moving here we have found many military families who have previously moved around a lot actually decide to stay and buy houses in Yorkshire. Many remain here and make it their home so their children can grow up in Yorkshire and have stability, while their husband or wife in the military commute back and forth."
As Grace describes, living in Yorkshire is a little different to their previous life in Surrey - "We are much more remote then we were in Surrey. We could walk to the train station and the shops where we last lived and were a half an hour drive from most places. It has taken us about a year to readjust to living more remotely. Our nearest village is a 10 minute drive away and closest towns are 20 minute drives. For those who don’t drive it is quite an isolated place to live, especially as bus services are limited and non-existent from where we are based. Thankfully though both my husband and I both drive and so this is not a problem. I would say the biggest challenge for us is that our nearest train station is 20 minutes away and a £25 taxi ride either way."
While her husband is at RAF Leeming, Grace works from home as a blogger and has recently written her first book. She also enjoys working with some communities in the Yorkshire Dales, mainly on a voluntary basis. "We need to keep our small towns and villages alive, keep our wonderful small schools open and preserve local services and have plenty of people here to work in local businesses. We think it’s a marvellous place to live so we’re all very enthusiastic! Yorkshire is full to the brim with things to do, indoors and out. Every village and town has something to offer, whether it is a famous tearoom, a gallery, museum or ruin to explore. It is truly a fantastic place for children to grow up in. Space to run free and play, breathe in the fresh air and just be children. We're in a great location. Within an hours drive we can get to York, Leeds, Durham, Darlington and Newcastle."
Does Grace have any top tips for anyone thinking of moving here?
"Do your research. What do you, as a family, need and like to do? How far is it to do those things and how far are you willing to drive or get used to driving to get there? How old are your children and how can they grow into where you are moving to? How far will you as parents need to chauffeur them around when they get older? How far is the school your children will go to? Do you both drive and if not, are you willing to learn or at least be near transport links?
"Since moving here we have found many military families who have previously moved around a lot actually decide to stay and buy houses in Yorkshire. Many remain here and make it their home so their children can grow up in Yorkshire and have stability, while their husband or wife in the military commute back and forth."
