After seven vibrant years in South East London, I made the bold decision to return to my roots in Kent back in 2015. Little did I know then that this move would set the stage for meeting Steve and welcoming our daughter into the world. As I sit here in our garden, watching our two-year-old chase butterflies while our three Labradors lounge in the sun, I can’t help but reflect on the profound changes this transition has brought to my life.
1. The Pace of Life Really Is Different
Perhaps the most immediate change I noticed was the shift in tempo. Gone were the constant sirens and the rush-hour chaos. Instead, my days became punctuated by church bells and the occasional tractor rumbling past. At first, this slower rhythm felt almost unsettling – now, it’s one of the things I cherish most, especially watching our daughter grow up in such a peaceful environment.
2. Community Isn’t Just a Buzzword
In London, I barely knew my neighbours beyond a polite nod. Here, community is woven into the fabric of daily life. Between my role as a Cub Scout Leader, active membership in the Women’s Institute, and working at the local wildlife foundation, I’ve found myself deeply embedded in village life in ways I never imagined possible during my London days. My local crochet group (which I’m proud to lead) has become another cherished part of our village community. It’s heartwarming to see how these various groups come together to support each other and create the true essence of village living.
3. Wildlife Becomes Part of Your Family
Our garden has become a haven for local wildlife. Beyond our own menagerie of three Labradors, three cats, and two cornsnakes, we regularly host butterflies, bees and countless bird species. My volunteer work at the local wildlife foundation has given me an even deeper appreciation for our countryside visitors, and I’ve learned to identify different bird calls and animal tracks. It’s a far cry from my London days, where urban wildlife mainly consisted of pigeons and the occasional urban fox. Now, our garden feels like a miniature nature reserve, and watching our daughter’s fascination with all the creatures that visit us makes the transition from city to country living feel even more worthwhile.
4. Shopping Requires Strategic Planning
Gone are the days of popping to the corner shop at midnight like I did in London. Our village, like many others, has seen local shops gradually disappear over the years, leaving us to adapt to a new way of living. These days, I’ve become an expert at online grocery deliveries and meal planning, especially for my vegan recipes. Any physical shopping requires at least a 20-30 minute drive, which means I’ve learned to be organised and strategic about our needs. While I’m grateful for the convenience of online shopping and delivery services, there’s a touch of nostalgia when I think about the village shops of my childhood. It would be wonderful to see more local shops return to our community – not just for convenience, but for that sense of village life I remember. Still, between careful planning, online deliveries, and occasional trips to larger towns, we’ve found our rhythm. The quality of local farm shop produce, when we make the journey, more than makes up for the convenience we left behind in the city.
5. Digital Work Takes On New Meaning
In London, being a digital marketer meant rushing between client meetings and co-working spaces. Here in the village, I’ve carved out a different kind of work-life balance. My home office overlooks the garden, and I’ve built a thriving digital career that spans SEO consultancy, blog management, and online community building – all while watching the local wildlife visit our bird feeders. The transition taught me that you don’t need to be in a city to be digitally connected. In fact, the peace and space of country living have enhanced my creativity and productivity. Between managing multiple blogs and running digital marketing campaigns, I’ve found that village life provides the perfect backdrop for focused work, while the local Women’s Institute meetings and Cub Scout leadership roles offer the face-to-face interaction I once thought I could only find in the city.
6. Skills You Never Knew You Needed
Since moving here, my role as a Cub Scout Leader has equipped me with an impressive array of practical countryside skills. I’ve learned the art of axe handling, learned proper knife skills for everything from whittling to preparing kindling, and become quite proficient at various knots – essential knowledge for everything from securing garden structures to creating outdoor play spaces. Beyond these Scouting skills, I’ve learned to grow vegetables, identify bird calls, and understand the rhythms of the countryside. These abilities, which seemed irrelevant during my London days of digital marketing and city living, have become invaluable parts of daily village life. It’s amazing how these traditional skills complement my digital career, creating a satisfying blend of modern and traditional knowledge.
7. The Internet Becomes Your Lifeline
As someone who runs multiple blogs and works in digital marketing, good internet connectivity was non-negotiable. While it took some setup and patience, we’ve managed to create a robust home office setup that allows me to maintain my career while enjoying village life. It’s proof that you don’t have to choose between a rural lifestyle and a digital career.
8. Seasons Actually Mean Something
In the city, seasons were mainly about fashion and coffee shop menus. Here, they dictate our daily lives. From planning garden projects to knowing when local roads might flood, seasonal awareness has become second nature. Watching our daughter experience each season’s unique offerings – from spring lambs to autumn blackberry picking – has given me a new appreciation for nature’s rhythm.
9. Social Life Takes Different Forms
While I miss the spontaneous after-work drinks of London, village social life has its own vibrant rhythm. My weeks are filled with running our local crochet group, where we chat, create, and plan our next seasonal yarn bombing project for the village. Weekends often find me supporting village events with both the Women’s Institute and Cubs, from summer fetes to autumn festivals. The sense of community is incredible – our daughter has regular playdates with other local toddlers, creating friendships that remind me of my own childhood in the village. Between the chatter at our crafting sessions, the laughter at our WI meetings, catching up with fellow dog walkers, and the excitement of Scout activities, I’ve found that rural social life is far from quiet.
10. You Never Stop Learning
Even after years here, the village continues to teach me new things. From traditional crafts shared by elderly neighbours to sustainable living practices, there’s always something to discover. Steve and I are constantly amazed by how much knowledge our local community holds, and we’re passionate about preserving and passing these insights on to our daughter.
The Best of Both Worlds
Looking back at my London years, I’m grateful for the experiences that shaped me. But watching our daughter grow up here, surrounded by nature and community, confirms that returning to Kent was the right choice. We’ve managed to create a life that combines the best of both worlds – maintaining our digital connections while embracing the richness of village life.
The transition from city to village living isn’t always smooth, and it certainly isn’t for everyone. But for me, it’s been a journey of discovery, growth, and ultimately, coming home. As I watch Steve teaching our daughter about the vegetables growing in our garden, or see her excitement at spotting a new bird at our feeders, I know that this is exactly where we’re meant to be.