Where to retire in the UK
Discussion
DaveyBoyWonder said:
Another vote for the Isle of Wight. Everything you need seems to be there, the house prices are really reasonable for the south (I guess because the additional cost/time of getting to the mainland) but I honestly can't think of a nicer place to spend my remaining days than wandering around Bembridge or St Helens, a walk along the beach etc.
Seconded but I came to the Isle of Wight when I was 26 not 66. The Solent is a great barrier from hoardes of people. There are some beautiful beaches, villages and countryside. London is a 90 minute train journey for fixes of the arts/ theatre/ airports. Property prices are 'cheap' compared to the rest of the south east.There is most stuff you'll need on the island. Getting specialist vehicle servicing/ tuning is a pain because you need to get a ferry, but most main dealers are represented here. (I couldnt get my vx220 serviced here and now need a walnut blast on my 330i meaning a trip over the water again.....)
Shopping is not really my thing, but my wife gets a passenger ferry over to Gunwharf in Portsmouth or West Quay in Southampton for her capitalism fix. To be honest, I do all my shopping on the internet nowadays - some items are restricted in being delivered (paints, flammable liquids and batteries are a pain) but you can find suppliers who don't comply.
People here are friendly, trusting and welcoming and easy to find others with a similar outlook on life (hence why they are here...)
I love it and would only move now if my employment forced me to having lived in Cardiff and Leeds.
pubrunner said:
ARHarh said:
Porth y Waen right on the border to Wales. Are you in Ruyton-XI-Towns? I got that from earlier in the thread
Blimey, that's only a mile from me in Trefonen !Anyone considering moving to close to Oswestry, should take their car from Oswestry towards Trefonen and about a mile out of Oswestry, take the turning right for Llansilin. Follow the road to Llansilin and you'll see some of the best views in the UK.
Other great driving roads to try, are Chirk along the Ceiriog Valley to Glyn Ceiriog and then on to Llanarmon DC. Also worth a visit is driving from Llynclys along the Tanat Valley to Llangynog or Llanfyllin.
I'm a keen runner and my better half loves cycling; we own a Rhodesian Ridgeback dog and for us, the locality is a brilliant lifestyle choice - very easy access to the countryside and many great walks.
Edited by pubrunner on Friday 26th February 14:31
Siko said:
Trefonen is beautiful - we used to go for walks there when we lived nearby. Yes we lived in Ruyton Xi Towns (the only village in the UK with a Roman Numeral in its name apparently!) for a decade and moved to the countryside just north of Shrewsbury near to Hawkstone Park/The Follies. It’s just stunning up here and we do miss Oswestry and the Welsh hills very much, but living in the dream home (for now!) just in the middle of nowhere really.
I work in Aberdeen (6:30hr drive
) although I only need to go up one week in 2 or 3 at the moment, which is nice, funny thing is two blokes at work who live in Aberdeen are both retiring to Shropshire. They mentioned the great links to just about anywhere, the dirt cheap houses and it being a stunning place to live. Who am I to disagree?
Shropshire and Marches pretty much have it all. I moved down from the south Dales thinking nothing could beat Yorkshire, but Shropshire is, in many respects, nicer. The towns and villages are so eclectic- a real mix of houses, dates and styles - much softer than the Dales, which can be a hard landscape at times. I work in Aberdeen (6:30hr drive
) although I only need to go up one week in 2 or 3 at the moment, which is nice, funny thing is two blokes at work who live in Aberdeen are both retiring to Shropshire. They mentioned the great links to just about anywhere, the dirt cheap houses and it being a stunning place to live. Who am I to disagree? We are pretty high up, facing onto Wenlock Edge and across to the Clees, also the Mynd and Stiperstones plus the Huntsman up the road - won't be moving anytime soon.
That Aberdeen drive is a joy - done the run north so many times in winter for the climbing, with plenty of good nights in Aberdeen at the Bar and Grill and the Moustache.
Siko said:
pubrunner said:
I'm certainly familiar with the drive to Aberdeen - when I go to visit relations in Shetland, I drive there to catch the ferry to Lerwick . . . . . . . never done it 6.5 hours though 
, especially if I stop for a brew at Peggy Scott's near Forfar.
Small world-a bit of Narnia was filmed in a cave in our field! We also walk around Clive and Grinshill which are lovely. Upto last summer I worked/lived in Shetland half the year which is an amazing place. I really miss it...., especially if I stop for a brew at Peggy Scott's near Forfar.dingg said:
You've probably flown me to the foinaven, Shetland one of the worst places on the map, bleak miserable and dour.....
Yes indeed! Flown to the Foinaven many a time - was at a party in Shetland with a local who worked on the Foinaven. He told me about the largest wave you guys had there and I thought he was joking....next time I landed there I passed a note to the HLO and asked him the same question ...it was exactly the same and something incredible like 140 feet! Foinaven is one of the more, ahem, challenging decks we landed on.....I don’t miss it now I’m largely office based instead Siko said:
Upto last summer I worked/lived in Shetland half the year which is an amazing place. I really miss it....
Shetland is an amazing place. Last time we were there, we went to St Ninian's - which is one of the best beaches anywhere, with no-one on it. If it had been in Wales or Cornwall, it would have been packed. Afterwards, we went over to Sumburgh Head, when after about half an hour, a pod of Orcas came along and put on a display- they 'washed' a seal off a rock, tossed it in the air and then devoured it. Seeing Orcas in the wild is something special. It seems that Orca are becoming more frequent visitors to Shetland.If I didn't live in Shropshire, East or West Burra would suit me ? Oh yes, I also love the live music in the Lounge Bar in Lerwick.
Vasco said:
TwigtheWonderkid said:
I live in London suburbs. Due to retire in a couple of months, and the dream would be to sell up and buy a nice flat in C. London. Soho perhaps, somewhere with a W1 postcode. Wife not so keen though!
I don't understand this desire to retire to somewhere quiet and tranquil. The older you get, the more noise, hustle and bustle you need to stay young.
Everyone to their own but many people find London (and many other centres) far too noisy, too congested and too expensive. Real peace and quiet, in glorious scenery is massively relaxing and enjoyable - and a city centre is still an option any time.I don't understand this desire to retire to somewhere quiet and tranquil. The older you get, the more noise, hustle and bustle you need to stay young.
We didn’t even wait for retirement to get some peace and quiet. Moved to rural North Yorkshire in our late thirties as we hated where we were living in a sprawling and characterless town in Wiltshire. We certainly don’t miss noise, hustle and bustle or need it to stay young.
Sticks. said:
I sometimes go to a pub in a small rural village and that's put me off the idea. Oh it's lovely, and there's a great sense of community around the pub. But if that goes, there's not another for miles, no shop, no mains gas, no mains drainage for many, poor wifi and you depend on being able to drive - which isn't a given as you age. Not all rural villages are like that, and I can see being in the centre of one which is still alive, but I do notice all those in the pub from old houses wearing more layers than I need to.
I get the lure of the coast.There's enough to do, cafes, theatres, sports etc, but at a more sedate pace and in a way which is geared towards retirement.
Its really not difficult living in the country. Yes we might not have a shop, but a bit of planning has that one sorted. You don't need a pub to have a community. We don't have mains gas but if you ask nicely someone will bring fuel, you wont even notice the lack of mains drainage, the internet is not bad everywhere in the country, and there are plenty of alternative methods of connection. not all rural houses are cold and drafty.I get the lure of the coast.There's enough to do, cafes, theatres, sports etc, but at a more sedate pace and in a way which is geared towards retirement.
Escort3500 said:
Quite agree! I used to hate having to occasionally work in London - noisy, congested and unfriendly.
We didn’t even wait for retirement to get some peace and quiet. Moved to rural North Yorkshire in our late thirties as we hated where we were living in a sprawling and characterless town in Wiltshire. We certainly don’t miss noise, hustle and bustle or need it to stay young.
Where did you end up?We didn’t even wait for retirement to get some peace and quiet. Moved to rural North Yorkshire in our late thirties as we hated where we were living in a sprawling and characterless town in Wiltshire. We certainly don’t miss noise, hustle and bustle or need it to stay young.
I’ve already bought my retirement house in North Yorkshire. It’s just a shame that I’m both 20 years and 6000 miles away.
Royal Jelly said:
Escort3500 said:
Quite agree! I used to hate having to occasionally work in London - noisy, congested and unfriendly.
We didn’t even wait for retirement to get some peace and quiet. Moved to rural North Yorkshire in our late thirties as we hated where we were living in a sprawling and characterless town in Wiltshire. We certainly don’t miss noise, hustle and bustle or need it to stay young.
Where did you end up?We didn’t even wait for retirement to get some peace and quiet. Moved to rural North Yorkshire in our late thirties as we hated where we were living in a sprawling and characterless town in Wiltshire. We certainly don’t miss noise, hustle and bustle or need it to stay young.
I’ve already bought my retirement house in North Yorkshire. It’s just a shame that I’m both 20 years and 6000 miles away.
Edited by Escort3500 on Saturday 27th February 08:51
Siko said:
Yes indeed! Flown to the Foinaven many a time - was at a party in Shetland with a local who worked on the Foinaven. He told me about the largest wave you guys had there and I thought he was joking....next time I landed there I passed a note to the HLO and asked him the same question ...it was exactly the same and something incredible like 140 feet! Foinaven is one of the more, ahem, challenging decks we landed on.....I don’t miss it now I’m largely office based instead
I would know who it was, was on there since first oil till I retired , yes some rough weather in that location. Don't miss it one bit... Plenty shelties on board as part of the deal was to employ locals from the islands :-)
Vasco said:
I'd agree with much of that. To me, the key problem with Lincoln nowadays is the terrible traffic congestion.
Yes, with the population expansion over the past couple of decades, congestion at certain times of the day is a bit of a pain, although it’s very relative, and compared to most other places of a similar size, still way better.Also the ongoing bypass/ring road improvements are helping, with the most recent eastern bypass section really improving things. They just now need to complete the last quarter to complete the full ring.
sociopath said:
I can heartily recommend north wales.
Moved here in 2014 after 30 years in London.
We're 10 minutes from Chester, which is a great city (think york without the crowds), snowdonia is 20 minutes away, we're only an hour from Manchester or Liverpool if you really want crowds, amd the countryside is literally across the road.
Houses are (relatively) cheap too.
My parents lived in Solihul for the 12 years before they retired to Ynys Mon. Moved here in 2014 after 30 years in London.
We're 10 minutes from Chester, which is a great city (think york without the crowds), snowdonia is 20 minutes away, we're only an hour from Manchester or Liverpool if you really want crowds, amd the countryside is literally across the road.
Houses are (relatively) cheap too.
I pleaded with them, that if they wanted to form a relationship with their Grandchildren, they should move closer to me, in Merseyside.
I also said, if you are moving to the back of beyond, how the hell do you expect me to support you in your old age. But no.
They've had 20 years with a view of Snowdonia. My dad is now fluent in Welsh.
But they don't have much of a relationship with their now grown up grand kids.
Pit Pony said:
My parents lived in Solihul for the 12 years before they retired to Ynys Mon.
I pleaded with them, that if they wanted to form a relationship with their Grandchildren, they should move closer to me, in Merseyside.
I also said, if you are moving to the back of beyond, how the hell do you expect me to support you in your old age. But no.
They've had 20 years with a view of Snowdonia. My dad is now fluent in Welsh.
But they don't have much of a relationship with their now grown up grand kids.
Sounds to me like they did the right thing. Grandparents don't always want to live their lives in close proximity to their family !I pleaded with them, that if they wanted to form a relationship with their Grandchildren, they should move closer to me, in Merseyside.
I also said, if you are moving to the back of beyond, how the hell do you expect me to support you in your old age. But no.
They've had 20 years with a view of Snowdonia. My dad is now fluent in Welsh.
But they don't have much of a relationship with their now grown up grand kids.
Vasco said:
Pit Pony said:
My parents lived in Solihul for the 12 years before they retired to Ynys Mon.
I pleaded with them, that if they wanted to form a relationship with their Grandchildren, they should move closer to me, in Merseyside.
I also said, if you are moving to the back of beyond, how the hell do you expect me to support you in your old age. But no.
They've had 20 years with a view of Snowdonia. My dad is now fluent in Welsh.
But they don't have much of a relationship with their now grown up grand kids.
Sounds to me like they did the right thing. Grandparents don't always want to live their lives in close proximity to their family !I pleaded with them, that if they wanted to form a relationship with their Grandchildren, they should move closer to me, in Merseyside.
I also said, if you are moving to the back of beyond, how the hell do you expect me to support you in your old age. But no.
They've had 20 years with a view of Snowdonia. My dad is now fluent in Welsh.
But they don't have much of a relationship with their now grown up grand kids.
aka_kerrly said:
bristolracer said:
Stroud (a bit hippy)
Haha, there is a slight hippy aspect & flair to Stroud but it doesn't really impact your life. Recently there have been one or two clowns in the town who have been particularly vocal about their feelings regarding the Covid situation. This led to some silly 100+ people marches in town & a protest or two in the park. On the whole though, Stroud isn't bad at all, it offers some wonderful countryside with a bit of town life & easy access to city life. The neighbouring towns & villages like Nailsworth, Tetbury, Minchinhampton, Eastington or Uley are rather pleasant places to live with good access to facilities , the M5+M4 are only a short journey allowing efficient travel North/South/East/West. Within 2 hours you can be in either of Birmingham, Cardiff, Bristol or Oxford by car or train.
Oh an since this is PH there are many fantastic roads around Gloucestershire plus Castle Combe & Prescot hill climb track!!
Rh14n said:
Vasco said:
Pit Pony said:
My parents lived in Solihul for the 12 years before they retired to Ynys Mon.
I pleaded with them, that if they wanted to form a relationship with their Grandchildren, they should move closer to me, in Merseyside.
I also said, if you are moving to the back of beyond, how the hell do you expect me to support you in your old age. But no.
They've had 20 years with a view of Snowdonia. My dad is now fluent in Welsh.
But they don't have much of a relationship with their now grown up grand kids.
Sounds to me like they did the right thing. Grandparents don't always want to live their lives in close proximity to their family !I pleaded with them, that if they wanted to form a relationship with their Grandchildren, they should move closer to me, in Merseyside.
I also said, if you are moving to the back of beyond, how the hell do you expect me to support you in your old age. But no.
They've had 20 years with a view of Snowdonia. My dad is now fluent in Welsh.
But they don't have much of a relationship with their now grown up grand kids.
If you visit in the summer at the weekend, and time it badly, it takes 3 hours each way. You can't just pop in for a cup of tea.
Pit Pony said:
Rh14n said:
Vasco said:
Pit Pony said:
My parents lived in Solihul for the 12 years before they retired to Ynys Mon.
I pleaded with them, that if they wanted to form a relationship with their Grandchildren, they should move closer to me, in Merseyside.
I also said, if you are moving to the back of beyond, how the hell do you expect me to support you in your old age. But no.
They've had 20 years with a view of Snowdonia. My dad is now fluent in Welsh.
But they don't have much of a relationship with their now grown up grand kids.
Sounds to me like they did the right thing. Grandparents don't always want to live their lives in close proximity to their family !I pleaded with them, that if they wanted to form a relationship with their Grandchildren, they should move closer to me, in Merseyside.
I also said, if you are moving to the back of beyond, how the hell do you expect me to support you in your old age. But no.
They've had 20 years with a view of Snowdonia. My dad is now fluent in Welsh.
But they don't have much of a relationship with their now grown up grand kids.
If you visit in the summer at the weekend, and time it badly, it takes 3 hours each way. You can't just pop in for a cup of tea.
Your parents still chose to move, despite your concerns.
Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff