I’m not moving to Mars, but judging by some reactions, I might as well be.

In a few months, I am moving from Camden (just off central London) to Woking (London suburb in Surrey).  This is for all of the reasons one would move from central London to a bit further out, namely more space, less money and a David Hing special: less noise, for I am a delicate flower who likes things nice and quiet.  How I have survived in London for six years I do not know.  I suppose not complaining much helps.

Now, physically, Woking is further away from central London than anywhere inside London.  It is outside of the M25, thus officially not part of the city.  Here is the crucial thing that I am having to remind people:  The M25 has not been turned into a moat.  Woking to Waterloo takes 20-25 minutes by train, making me almost as close to central London time-wise as I am now, despite being much further away.

Another comment I’ve had is that a friend of mine found it odd that my whole group of friends is living a 20s lifestyle in the city and me moving to Woking seems quite a grown up thing to do, as if suddenly I have to be in bed by 10 each night and I need to apply for some kind of visitors permit to come to the bright lights of the city.  Seeing as pubs close well before the last train home and on those now-rather-rare occasions that I’m out any later than closing time I have a small network of wonderful accommodating and hospitable friends whose floors I can pass out on, I don’t foresee a massive change in my nightlife.

I suppose in some ways I am getting a little older and this is a little grown up, but only in the way that I don’t want all of my money to get poured into a black hole of rent and I’m reluctant to live with other people.

I hasten to add that I don’t think I have ever had a bad housemate / flatmate / room-mate.  It’s not that I’m at my wits end or that I’ve become so misanthropic that I need to live in a cave, I’ve just come to the conclusion that I want my space to be my own.  I am attempting to embark on a career path that will eventually lead me to becoming a profeshnul riter so a little solitude and peace and quiet might help that too and give me a little focus.