Readers, we are trying to choose where to live for the next forty or so years, and not surprisingly it’s proving to be a bit tricky. What’s obvious is that this could quite well be one of the greatest tests of our commitment to Slow Living we’ll ever make. To be honest, I’m more than a little anxious of getting it wrong!
The time has come to find somewhere a little bigger than our two-up two-down terrace in London, which has felt a little to cramped since the arrival of our son. But where to go?
One option is to stay in London, and mortgage ourselves to the max for a bigger place. The upside of that is staying in the community we’ve been part of for the last 10 years already. Community, especially in the absence of close family, is very important to us, and is a pillar of Slow Living.
The downside, though, is that slowly our friends are trickling out of the city as they start families, plus the thought of being tied to an overbearing mortgage is quite horrific.
Is it possible to be under pressure to earn lots of money and go Slow? Sure, a Slow life does not mean one without entrepreneurial spirit and the opportunity to earn a good living; many businesses are thriving within slow communities. But in our line of work, I think a big mortgage would mean unfulfilling high pressure and long hours at work. That’s not the work life balance I’m searching for.
So, we’ve been looking at alternatives to staying in London. I find transition towns quite attractive – these are towns with an expressed commitment to becoming more eco-efficient, self-supporting and community-led. I admire their spirit, but I fear that they would lack the excitement of a city, and that is something I’d miss.
Slow cities, or “Cittaslow towns” are another option. Their mission, according to the Cittaslow UK website, is to be “great places to live, work and visit. They aim to support local businesses, foster local traditions, protect the environment, welcome visitors, and encourage active participation in community life”. What’s not to love?
There are currently nine Cittaslow towns in the UK, including Ludlow, Aylsham, Perth, Berwick Upon Tweed and Linlithgow. Apart from Ludlow, I have to admit the others are a mystery to me.
What’s testing me is that I want the best quality of life for our young family, along Cittaslow principles, without losing the cultural richness and energy of the city. If you think that where you live meets these criteria, please do let me know!
Image: Berwick Upon Tweed by Martin Pettitt
