Where to Retire To ?

Eye2013

I'm just planning my early retirement strategy, and wondered what other people's recommendations / ideas were for the best places to retire to (Realistic please, not fantasies!) ? I'm probably looking at semi retirement first working say 3 days a week if possible.


My options seem to be :-


1. Cornwall / Devon - Great countryside, beaches, nice people ? (don't know anyone down there)


2. Midlands (Birmingham area) - Nice beer, down to earth people, friends about. Cheap to live. Miserable weather, boring countryside.


3. Surrey - Where I live now. Close to London, south coast, south downs etc. People not too friendly. Expensive, but good prospects of part time work.


4. Abroad - Possibly France / Spain - Would need to learn the lingo, potentially very cheap to buy property, lots of possibilities but limited ideas.

littleladybird

For me it would be easy - given the opportunity I'd move to the Highlands.

The most wonderful scenery, friendly people and great places to eat and drink ..... absolute heaven.

Oh well, one can dream

kidmugsy

Take some holiday rentals in different places, to assess them. For instance:
http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/north-berwick/

Attractive wee town in a lovely county, houses with gardens where you just go down a few wooden steps straight onto the beach, regular trains into Edinburgh, so you are not cut off from a city.

Linton

We are having similar thoughts....

Is this your last move or will you plan to move somewhere less hilly and closer to facilities later, but before you are too old to contemplate another move?

On the places you have mentioned:

1) Cornwall/Devon - a bit far from the outside world, parts can be horrendously busy during the summer but very quiet with facilities closed during the winter. For us, though, East devon near the coast is a possibility.

2) There are some good areas with easy access to Birmingham - northern Cotswolds, southern peak district and some attractive small towns.

3) Surrey - Lots of traffic, busy.

One obvious omission in your list is north Yorkshire both near the North York Moors and the Dales. The scenary is glorious, the roads pretty quiet, housing is relatively cheap and the towns are very attractive.

The other area we are looking at is Dorset. Very attractive coastal scenery, closer to elsewhere than further west, housing is reasonable once you are beyond the London commuter belt. One problem - there is the urban sprawl of Bournemouth/Poole and many very small villages but not a lot in between.

mgdavid

I wouldn't move far from where you are. Somewhere between London and the south coast sounds ideal to me - but what are you planning to do? Live a quiet life in rural self-sufficiency? visit lots of galleries and theatres? time on the golf course? What are you into - music? motor racing? sunbathing? Surely you first decide what you want to do, then where to do it...

[Deleted User]

Eye2013 wrote: »

I'm just planning my early retirement strategy, and wondered what other people's recommendations / ideas were for the best places to retire to (Realistic please, not fantasies!) ? I'm probably looking at semi retirement first working say 3 days a week if possible.


My options seem to be :-


1. Cornwall / Devon - Great countryside, beaches, nice people ? (don't know anyone down there)


2. Midlands (Birmingham area) - Nice beer, down to earth people, friends about. Cheap to live. Miserable weather, boring countryside.


3. Surrey - Where I live now. Close to London, south coast, south downs etc. People not too friendly. Expensive, but good prospects of part time work.


4. Abroad - Possibly France / Spain - Would need to learn the lingo, potentially very cheap to buy property, lots of possibilities but limited ideas.

Cornwall/Devon without a doubt. Friendly people and a nice part of the world even in winter.

The further North you go weather does begin to be a factor - how much can you stand the cold.

Avoid France or Spain. The former is rapidly becoming as bad economically as the latter.And Spain's property market is as saturated as the Somerset levels.

Final point - consider selling you current house sooner rather than later and renting if necessary. The UK, particularly around the South, is undergoing a housing bubble and like all bubbles it will not last for ever.

millysg1

Linton wrote: »

The other area we are looking at is Dorset. Very attractive coastal scenery, closer to elsewhere than further west, housing is reasonable once you are beyond the London commuter belt. One problem - there is the urban sprawl of Bournemouth/Poole and many very small villages but not a lot in between.

As a Dorset dweller myself, I would obviously recommend it. I agree to stay away from the central bournemouth and poole but recommend Christchurch, Ringwood, Wimborne Minsterand it's surrounding area, Fordingbridge, lyundhurst . All easy reach as east Dorst and not far from M27/M3, near beach and also close to country side (new forest).

Depends on what is your prorities are!

fufu_banterwaite

Sutton-on-Sea in Lincolnshire!

atush

I agree you should try out different areas.

But I expect property prices and jobs will limit you. I like the idea of dorset, outside the commuter belt (but choose a place you can either get work or commute to work easily).

I will be spending half the year in FL. I don't like the summer there, and I don't need a visa.

SailorSam

Out in the coutryside sounds great but you need to take into consideration what publis transport is like to get to the shops etc. As you get older it may happen that you can't drive if you have some health problems.

Davef_2

If you want decent weather and a more relaxed lifestyle I would definitely recommend you consider France. You can get some fantastic properties for not a lot of money especially if you are into DIY and don't mind getting your hands dirty. Downside is you need to learn a different language.

In terms of this country if you don't mind the rain you could consider Cumbria. Great views, fantastic walks, good pubs, fresh air and it's where we are going to move to very soon....hopefully