November has brought an incredible twist to our family story! What started as a simple half-term holiday turned into a life-changing decision: We’re moving to Prague, a romantic and historic gem in the heart of Europe! This stunning city will now be the backdrop for our family’s next chapter, and I’m thrilled to share more of our journey with you.
Why moving to Prague?
1. A Connection to Our Roots
Prague has always held a special place in our hearts. For me, with my Czech roots, and for our British-Czech family, moving to Prague feels like both an exciting adventure and a homecoming. There’s something deeply meaningful about reconnecting with the culture, traditions, and language of my heritage. With our kids starting school and kindergarten, the timing couldn’t have been better.
2. Prague´s Better Quality Property Market
While we loved our tranquil life in West Sussex, moving to Prague ultimately offered something we couldn’t resist: the chance to easily afford our dream house. Over our amazing years in the UK, I began to feel that the country was becoming increasingly exclusive. For families like ours, who haven’t inherited property, the housing market felt dauntingly unattainable.
Even with hard work—and we had salaries well above the UK average—it was difficult to match the quality of homes available in other European countries. At one point, we bought a newly built 3-bedroom terraced house in West Sussex through the Help to Buy scheme. While it was surprisingly well-built, it was also quite small. Once our twins were born and turned two, the space became an issue, and we started exploring our options.
Through our research, we realized that the kind of home we dreamed of—a larger, well-designed family house—would cost more than £800,000 in West Sussex, UK. In comparison, we could build an even better house in the Czech countryside for far less, and the gap between housing costs in Prague versus London was even more striking.
Lastly, many UK properties, in our experience, often suffer from issues like mold and are commonly built as bungalows. They lack the sturdiness and architectural charm of Central European villas or country homes, which are designed to endure generations.
3. Post-Brexit Frustrations
The aftermath of Brexit was another significant factor that influenced our decision about moving to Prague. While I understand and even agree with some reasons for leaving the EU, as a small business owner, I found the additional complexity of taxes and shipping between the UK and EU increasingly frustrating. These hurdles had us considering a move back to the EU for a while—Spain and Germany were on the list—but ultimately, moving to Prague emerged as the most attractive option.
4. Four Beautiful Seasons: A Perfect Reason for Moving to Prague
If, like us, you love experiencing the full spectrum of seasons, Prague is the perfect place. The city transforms with each change in weather. Autumn brings golden leaves that scatter across cobblestone streets, creating a fairytale-like atmosphere. Winters are magical, with snow dusting the medieval architecture, while spring bursts with colour as cherry blossoms line the city streets. Summers, meanwhile, have become increasingly warm and Mediterranean-like, ideal for enjoying the outdoors. In the UK, I often felt the seasons were less distinct, with mild springs and summers blending into muddy, grey autumns and winters.
5. Prague’s Proximity to Mountains and Lakes: A Nature Lover’s Dream
As avid hikers and mountain lovers, we’re thrilled with Prague’s central location. The city is surrounded by stunning mountain ranges, and Czechia boasts some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in Europe. Beyond that, we’re just a short drive from Bavaria’s fairytale villages, Austria’s serene lakes, and countless other European treasures. Traveling with kids and dogs will now be much easier compared to post-Brexit travel from the UK, where even a Eurotunnel trip could mean hours of delays.
6. A Family-Friendly Culture with Balanced Values: Why Moving to Prague Was the Right Choice
One of the key reasons we chose Prague is its family-oriented culture and its emphasis on traditional values. As parents, we noticed a growing trend in the UK’s education system to introduce complex topics, such as gender politics, at an increasingly early age. While these discussions are important, we feel they’re best suited for older children who are emotionally and cognitively prepared.
For instance, a friend of mine, a British teacher, shared that her school encouraged children to adopt facilities based on their gender identity, even at a young age. While every family has their own perspective, we prefer a system that focuses on age-appropriate education and lets children simply enjoy being kids.
And can you imagine—there was even a political discussion in the UK that questioned the use of the term ‘mother’, arguing that it isn’t inclusive enough? For me, as a mum, that felt like a step too far. Words like ‘mother’ and ‘father’ carry deep emotional and cultural significance and should be celebrated, not erased.
Another factor that played into our decision was the increasing influence of social services in the UK, which in some cases seems to mirror the approaches of countries like Sweden and Norway. While these countries are often praised for their social systems, there have been numerous media reports about cases where social services exerted significant power over families, sometimes in ways that seemed disproportionate or intrusive. As parents, this growing trend concerned us.
In contrast, the Czech Republic offers a more balanced and respectful approach to family life. Schools and social systems here prioritize traditional academics, creativity, and practical life skills without imposing social ideologies or excessive oversight. This aligns perfectly with our family values and feels like a safe, nurturing environment to raise our children.
7. Prague’s Rich Cultural Tapestry
Prague is a city steeped in history and culture. From the stunning Charles Bridge to the magical Old Town Square, every corner of the city tells a story. Living here means immersing ourselves in centuries of tradition while also enjoying a vibrant modern arts and music scene.
I remember trying to attend cultural events in London, like the Chinese New Year near Trafalgar Square. It was so overcrowded that it felt unsafe for families with small children and prams. In contrast, Prague offers an abundance of cultural events with fewer crowds and a more relaxed atmosphere, while still exceeding London in variety and accessibility.
8. Affordability and Quality of Life: A Key Benefit of Moving to Prague
Compared to many Western European capitals, Prague offers an excellent quality of life at a much more affordable cost. From housing to education and healthcare, we’ve found that the value here far exceeds what we could manage in the UK. For example, accessing specialized medical care through the NHS often felt nearly impossible. This move allows us to focus on what matters most: creating a fulfilling and happy life for our family.
9. Prague is Still One of the Safest Cities in the World
While we loved the unique character of London, we became more concerned about safety after welcoming our first child. My husband, Jacob, worked as an IT specialist in central London and was across the street during the London Bridge attack—a terrifying experience. Later, when a stabbing occurred on our own street in Bounds Green, it became clear that London was no longer the best place for us to raise children.
In Prague, safety feels much more attainable. While no city is perfect—pocket thefts and taxi scams can happen—Prague is proactive in addressing such issues, with increased security cameras and public awareness campaigns.
10. Opportunities for Growth
Relocating to Prague isn’t just a fresh start for our family—it’s also an exciting new chapter for relocating small family business. I’m currently working hard to relaunch The Bohemian Mum with a fresh website and a brand-new collection of handcrafted crochet Boho Mum pieces. Until then, I’ll continue sharing boho fashion and family lifestyle content on Instagram, so be sure to follow along for updates!
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