My last move - where to move to, please?

treliac

Jennifer_Jane wrote: »

I am looking for ideas! I think my brief of having to have a Boots/Library/Swimming Pool/active and interesting U3A will mean it won't be too small a place.

Jen,

Sidmouth is a lovely place IMO - lots of character, sheltered position, nice set of shops but still quite small, swimming pool, old-fashioned little cinema. Lovely place to visit and wander round. Don't know about prices or the U3A though - yes just checked and it does ... http://www.u3a.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=474&Itemid=238

The south-eastern corner of Devon is generally very pretty.

http://www.visitsidmouth.co.uk/frontpage.htm

staffsnat

Hi Jen, we've been going through the same scenario the last few months, hubby (54) retired last year through ill health and we;ve been looking for our 'last move', we looked at a warden assisted complex, walked in the foyer and a hundred pairs of eyes looked up from their bingo cards upon our arrival, we made a sharp exit! We like the idea of having assistance for our later years but are not ready for the retirement home just yet . Nat

molly_mandy_2

Quote "Torquay would be perfect" ROFL !!!!

Hi JJ. I'm in Torbay (which is made up of Brixham/Torquay/Paignton). Torquay used to be wonderful 20 years ago - as many seaside towns. Now however, many parts of Torquay have become 'asbo areas'. Some parts of Torquay town at night can be a bit rough to say the least! Other parts of Torquay - the expensive sea view parts, of course (!), are still lovely. Property prices have dropped a fair bit down here so properties are more reasonable now. But do research and DO be careful!

molly_mandy_2

Maybe I should add - of course everyone thinks differently about places. My new neighbour has had to move out from Torquay as she had had enough. Her family can't understand why, as they love it - but they only spend two-week sunny holidays there lol

hethmar

I think a smallish town where you will quickly integrate is the best bet.

EdInvestor

molly_mandy wrote: »

Torquay used to be wonderful 20 years ago - as many seaside towns. Now however, many parts of Torquay have become 'asbo areas'. Some parts of Torquay town at night can be a bit rough to say the least! Other parts of Torquay - the expensive sea view parts, of course (!), are still lovely.

To my mind this is a bit of a trade-off - bigger towns which have the facilities you want - pools, libraries, hospitals good shops,regular buses and trains,restaurants etc may also attract an element (usually only at night at the weekend) which one would prefer to avoid. On the other hand,small villages which have no problem element also tend to have few facilities, no transport, and are dead as a doornail after 5pm.

It's a moot point how many retired people will normally be wandering around late at night in the centre of town, of course...

molly_mandy_2

i've found the answer is to live near the seaside town, not in the centre of the town. Then you can still walk to your local beaches, local shops, live in a quiet area and take a bus to the main town.

I wasn't thinking of retired people walking round late at night in the centre of town - thinking more of the noise when clubs/bars close etc.

Jennifer_Jane

treliac, staffsnat, molly_mandy, hethmar, and EdInvestor:

Thank you all so much, this was exactly what I was hoping for when I started the thread. So much good advice from everyone. I will add Sidmouth to my 'Rightmove' list (which is getting longer and longer), and treat Torquay with some caution!

EdInvestor - yes, this is the problem! I couldn't be too rural - a town of 20000 people or thereabouts is probably the smallest. It should ideally have the facilities for an old lady (not me just yet, you realise!) to be able to walk to without too much difficulty), and the U3A that I've set my heart on for the social life.

Thanks
Jen
x

Francesanne

Jennifer_Jane wrote: »

Oh, I'm unsure where to post this, but would be glad of some thoughts and advice, please...



I am 62, single, and have a half-sister and brother who live in the West Country. I am retiring in September, and have always planned, (in the 9 years I've been here) to move (from Cheshire) to be closer to them. I have two questions:

1. I thought that I would like Weston-super-Mare as it has the sea, and I spent all my holidays there when I was a child (granny lived there), so it's one of the constants in my life. Would that be a good idea, or would anybody suggest somewhere else (sister is in Wells; brother in Bristol)? I could probably sell my house for about £150000 (who knows, it sold two years ago at £160000, but the sale fell through).
2. I would like this to be my last move, so as I'm wondering about the types of flats that have access to a warden. Does anyone have any other ideas at all? I know that the monthly charges for these places are expensive, and I won't be well off at all (about £870 a month after tax).
3. I need to be somewhere safe, fairly tranquil, within walking distance of library, swimming pool, shops.

Would anyone help, please?
Thanks
Jen
x

It's a difficult decision to make but if you're in good health and fairly fit, I'd leave sheltered accomodation as a last result. My elderly Mum is planning on moving to Plymouth and buying a McCarthey and Stone retirement flat but she's 20 years older than you and getting very frail. Good luck on whatever you decide to do and hope you enjoy your new home.

Errata

oops - it was me that suggested Torquay

It may be rough in the club part of the city centre late at night, but otherwise there are a lot of retired people living there so there's a ready made social life 'pool' and also a better likelihood of a good spread of 'stuff' for retired people. Not least support services, although what they might be like 20 years from now nobody could guess and that applies to those services in the future in any town/city.
Retirement complexes, such as McCarthy & Stones, may be totally right on paper now but a buyer would have to be aware of the high current service charge and how much control they would have over future increases in those charges. What can appear to be a reasonable purchase price could after 5 or ten years carry an unaffordable service cost.

JJ I'll keep looking for you !