Locations to retire to and why?

[GreatGranny]

wisbech said:

In the last 25 years we have lived and worked in five different countries, so not really a case of moving away, more moving to...

Good way of looking at it.

More important where you are going than where you have been

[DKL]

Do you think these days we almost "retire" twice?
Most people are pretty active at 60 and are for a good decade at least. I can see the desire to move to a rural/coastal spot when giving up work but with a view to moving back into a town a bit later.
As someone said you need better transport links and facilities as you stop being so mobile.
A rural idyl is not if you're stuck there.
Its almost like being kids - you resent the fields when your parents move you to the middle of nowhere because its "a better quality of life" but you can't get out. But when you're the adult with the transport then its "a better quality of life"!
I've been looking for a bolt hole for a year or so but where I want to be on the south coast and the price I want to pay don't seem compatible. Everyone got there first.
Also you can rent a cottage in some villages and find that noone actually lives there - they're all rentals!
Wales seems popular as the scenery is there but the prices aren't south of england. Yet maybe.

[GreatGranny]

Yes true about retiring twice.

Maybe choose a decent sized coastal town which isn't too remote but has enough about it to be suitable for when mobility becomes an issue.

[Johnnytheboy]

GreatGranny said:

While we like the east coast (its an hours drive) we want somewhere similar to North Devon but without the expense and crowds.

http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/society/anywhere-nice-absolutely-teeming-with-aholes-2013022060376

[AAGR]

Four strong recommendations :

• Do not leave it until the last minute before deciding to move to an unknown (to you) location. I am lucky enough to live in a glamorous/fashionable seaside village on the south coast, and have now been here for 36 years.

In that time, I have lost count of the people who have arrived, wide-eyed and innocent from an inland (often industrial) location,
found it difficult to settle and get to know the locals, then returned to their original 'home' location and old friends within two or three years.

• If you are determined to move, 'try out' by renting for several vacations (including at least one session in the dark/wet/cold months) before making the big decision.

• In addition, get used to the fact that there may be few public transport services (very infrequent and inconvenient bus services), and no trains. Accordingly, you should factor in that you will certainly need at least one car, and wonder what you might have to do if that eventually becomes impossible.

• Oh yes, and make sure, absolutely sure, that there is at least one warm, welcoming, and thriving pub nearby, because that's a more reliable social centre than anything the local authorities will provide !

.

Edited by AAGR on Wednesday 11th October 22:42

[FocusRS3]

Firstly sorry for dragging up an old thread but there are some interesting points here that will be a feature for me at some stage (hopefully) when i retire.

I'd like to retire at 55 and according to my FA i'm on track presently.

We own a small flat on the Essex Coast (Frinton on sea) and if it were just the two of us we'd have relocated by now and i'd most definitely have retired but few more years with the kids yet (one with school fees attached).

We spend as much of our time as possible there and absolutely love it but of course this is 'down time' not actual day to day living.

We figure a lock up and leave is ideal so we can travel and the view over the sea is amazing so we'd miss that if we sold it for a house just for when the kids decide they want to stay.

Anyhow going back to some of the posts here whats the downsides to coastal living on a full time basis?

We are active people and there is enough sports wise to do in the local area so especially during the summer i'm not concerned about fitness.

Plan is retirement in 3.5yrs all being well

[dirky dirk]

it would have be spain for me
somewhere theres a few brits, not too many, but enoiugh to turn to when you need help.
a ground floor apartment in a modern community i would think,

There are some lovely parts of england but trudging through wet leaves for five months of the year, whilst feeling like your in a tupperware box drives me mental

[FocusRS3]

dirky dirk said:

it would have be spain for me
somewhere theres a few brits, not too many, but enoiugh to turn to when you need help.
a ground floor apartment in a modern community i would think,

There are some lovely parts of england but trudging through wet leaves for five months of the year, whilst feeling like your in a tupperware box drives me mental

Good point.

We have an owner of one of the flats that does 6 months Frinton On Sea and 6 months Tenerrife. Seems like a good balance to me although the missus wouldn't have it.

[condor]

My parents retired to Torquay, both dead now unfortunately. My brother and I will soon inherit their Torquay apartment which at present is being rented out - but I have thought maybe one or other of us could retire there further down the line. It has a lovely harbour view, but is on a hill - Torquay is steep in places!
The parents used to use the lift in Hoopers or Debenhams department stores to get up and down from the harbour area, but how long are department stores likely to carry on trading? There's a very steep set of steps down to the harbour, which are not suitable for elderly folk. There is a walkway down, but coming back up is very tiring. You'd have to have an electric scooter to help you get around.

I'm looking to buy a bungalow in the village where I live in the next couple of years, as I've lived here a very long time. I'm thinking of not being able to climb stairs in my later years and my current house isn't suitable for an elderly person. I'm part of the community here and I could carry on with my dog walking and pet sitting duties well into old age.

[Dog Star]

V8mate said:

Lots of nice places mentioned.

One (easily overlooked?) thing which means I'd never move above a line joining the Severn estuary with the Wash: rain.

I realise that not everyone would be put off by it, but I find it makes for a truly miserable existence.

You are absolutely correct! I live just north of Rochdale, Rossendale valley, and my sister lives in Snowdonia. Wet wet wet. I don't actually perceive much difference in the rainfall between the two. It gets depressing.

I'd like to stay here in this house, it's perfect (if a bit too big), however for us the factor is "white flight" and we need to get out in the next few years. I want something north Yorks, Northumbria, relatively close to a town/facilities (for when you're old) but not in a town and no immediate neighbours. The good thing is that wherever we go the weather will be better

[FocusRS3]

condor said:

My parents retired to Torquay, both dead now unfortunately. My brother and I will soon inherit their Torquay apartment which at present is being rented out - but I have thought maybe one or other of us could retire there further down the line. It has a lovely harbour view, but is on a hill - Torquay is steep in places!
The parents used to use the lift in Hoopers or Debenhams department stores to get up and down from the harbour area, but how long are department stores likely to carry on trading? There's a very steep set of steps down to the harbour, which are not suitable for elderly folk. There is a walkway down, but coming back up is very tiring. You'd have to have an electric scooter to help you get around.

I'm looking to buy a bungalow in the village where I live in the next couple of years, as I've lived here a very long time. I'm thinking of not being able to climb stairs in my later years and my current house isn't suitable for an elderly person. I'm part of the community here and I could carry on with my dog walking and pet sitting duties well into old age.

Ah i forgot to mention our flat is on the 2nd floor but then we have a lovely view which i'd not want to be without but then the stairs may be a consideration at some stage.

We have great communal gardens that are maintained brilliantly and a garage for a classic car at some stage. I figure apartment living is hassle free and given where we are located very safe

[dingg]

Portugal
Tax benefit for 10 years
Good climate
And the view from my lounge

[Julia121]

We're going to live in hotels for a few years and rent out our house and see if we like the life. I've met quite a few like minded people and they've got few complaints.

[FocusRS3]

dingg said:

Portugal
Tax benefit for 10 years
Good climate
And the view from my lounge

I'd forgotten about the tax breaks in Portugal not that the wife would consider living anywhere other than the UK!

So my question to those that have moved to the coast is does it get you down in the winter?

[FocusRS3]

Julia121 said:

We're going to live in hotels for a few years and rent out our house and see if we like the life. I've met quite a few like minded people and they've got few complaints.

I suppose if you are full time in a suite then no so bad.

I'm assuming you chuck all your kit into a laundry service ?

[shirt]

I’d like to have the resources to retire to northern Italy. Good food, wine, weather and old people just seem to hang around villages doing nothing in particular. Sounds good to me

[Julia121]

FocusRS3 said:

Julia121 said:

We're going to live in hotels for a few years and rent out our house and see if we like the life. I've met quite a few like minded people and they've got few complaints.

I suppose if you are full time in a suite then no so bad.

I'm assuming you chuck all your kit into a laundry service ?

Yes it would all be suites and either laundry service or do it ourselves as some have guest laundries.

[dirky dirk]

Wouldn't want to live with a sea view
I know that it wont get built on,
But your looking out on grey all year.

Hills have grass and frost and snow and sunsets

Sea is grey, that's it

[anonymous-user]

FocusRS3 said:

So my question to those that have moved to the coast is does it get you down in the winter?

I am down on the south east coast,the weather is generally clear with cold and windy in winter so not too bad,now theres not many tourists at this time,and the locals realise that you live here which helps.
I moved here with plans to retire in the distant future so i got in early and am sorting out the house as i would like it while i can.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

Have a 4 bed detached family home in West London suburbs. Really want to sell up in due course, and retire to.......a flat in Central London. Somewhere with a W1 postcode, Marylebone High St area maybe. Get rid of the car.(not very PH).

Wife not so keen on the idea!!!