We saved £500 a month ditching crime-ridden city for stunning UK beauty spot – it’s idyllic but there is one downside

A MUM who ditched a UK city for a quiet life in the countryside says she’s never felt better – and the move has saved her family £500 a month.

Annabelle Giselle moved with husband Stuart, 34, and their two kids Ollie, seven, and Tate, one, after growing tired of the city’s high costs and rising crime.

Annabelle Giselle and her husband Stuart swapped their £1,200-a-month two-bed flat for a house in the beautiful countrysideJam Press GettyThe couple were growing increasingly tired of London’s high costs and rising crime[/caption] Annabelle says her eldest son Ollie seems so much happier in KentJam Press

The family swapped their £1,200-a-month two-bed flat in Bexleyheath in London for a house in the Kent countryside – and now pay £1,050 with a garden and driveway thrown in.

She says the family of four have also saved money shopping for cheaper local produce and have cut their energy bills, mostly from being out of the house enjoying their new surroundings.

Overall, they reckon they are saving £500 each month.

Annabelle, 30, told The Sun: “We’ve saved money by shopping locally – going to farm shops or local farmers selling fresh produce at a reduced price.

“Buying fruit and vegetables from there has been cheaper, plus the butcher has cost less than going to a chain supermarket, as we can buy exactly what we need.

“We save around £50 in our food shop compared to London. Our gas and electric [bills] have also been £50 lower and that’s probably because we are out and about most weekends.”

But it’s not just the family’s bank balance that’s benefited.

She adds: “In London, life was fast-paced and often overwhelming – constant noise, long commutes and overall a lot of stress.

“My mental health has improved since living a more slower-paced life, I feel connected more with nature and I have more time for myself and my family.

“It’s so nice to have a garden and really get into gardening as a way to improve my mental health.

“I’ve noticed that my eldest child seems much happier being able to relax in the garden in summer after school.”

‘Constantly unsafe’

Annabelle, who now works in safeguarding children, said she felt London was becoming increasingly unsafe.

The 30-year-old said: “It felt draining to constantly feel unsafe and worrying about my children growing up in an area where they didn’t feel safe too.

“The cost of living definitely was high in London – the constant financial pressure can be draining. The constant traffic and lack of nature and trees.”

The turning point came when she was offered a job safeguarding children in Kent that allowed her to prioritise her career and her loved ones.

‘Moments of loneliness’

In May 2023, the family made the move to a small village near Canterbury.

Far from missing the city buzz, Annabelle says rural life has exceeded all expectations.

However, she says there has been one downside – loneliness.

She added: “Honestly, I was so excited to be experiencing somewhere completely new.

“We moved in summer so as a family we started to explore farmers markets, long countryside walks and local community activities such as local summer fairs.

“I expected rural life to be peaceful, slower-paced, affordable and closely tied to nature. I imagined quiet mornings, strong community ties and a sense of simplicity compared to London.

“All of this was true, although I felt that the extra cost of fuel and getting the train into London has been more expensive to do on a regular basis.

“There were also moments of feeling isolated and lonely.

We moved in summer so as a family we started to explore farmers markets, long countryside walks and local community activities, says AnnabelleJam Press Annabelle admits that the one downside of rural life is lonelinessJam Press I expected rural life to be peaceful, slower-paced, affordable and closely tied to nature – and it was all true, says AnnabelleJam Press

“But the sense of community is definitely there, and everyone here seems much happier – it feels safer living here too.

“My weekends are full of being in nature and shopping in my local farm shops and creating delicious healthy meals for my family.

“Being able to walk through fields instead of crowded streets makes a huge difference in my state of mind.”

Annabelle admits the cost of fuel and train fares to London can add up, but says the peace, space and community more than make up for it.

Now she’s embracing a slower, more mindful lifestyle – swapping acrylic nails and fast fashion for baking, fresh food and DIY crafts.

She said: “I have more time to do things that I love such as baking and cooking for my family, having access to local fresh produce to cook with or finding new recipes from my new cookbooks, are all things that make me appreciate living in the countryside.

“I feel like my priorities have changed for a few things that used to make me happy, like getting my acrylic nails done or buying new clothes every week.

“My routine for my children is teaching them more about nature and prioritising fresh healthy food.

“When living in the countryside it’s easy to isolate yourself and become a homebody, so I try to prioritise my mental health and make sure that I go for more walks and have social interactions.”

Annabelle now has advice for anyone else looking to make the same move.

She said: “Do your research and stay overnight in the town or village that you want to move to.

“Explore the area and transport.

“Moving from a familiar area will always have its challenges but be open minded and don’t have too many expectations.

“It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made.”

Far from missing the city buzz, Annabelle says rural life has exceeded all expectationsJam Press In May 2023, the family made the move to a small village near CanterburyJam Press