Where to Retire To ?

kidmugsy

atush wrote: »

That is why I spend my hot weather time in a country with a/c lol

as for Scotland as retirement country you have to be kidding. Cold, dark, wet .

East Lothian is not wet, and the lighter summer evenings more than compensate for the dark winter days. It's cooler in July and August than the south of England, true, and Spring starts later: but I'd prefer it in July to our local hot-and-sticky weather. Much, much better soil for gardening too than our horrible clay, and good access to a remarkably beautiful city. Though I might prefer Sandbanks as a retirement spot - there's just one problem…..

chucknorris

We think that our best option is to stay put in the UK in the summer, we aren't fans of extreme heat so the UK summer is ideal for us. We are considering spending the winter months in Southern Spain or the Algarve, which is also easier to get to with our dog via the ferry to Santander/Bilbao. Although we can afford to buy we are put off by the complications of foreign ownership, so we will probably rent.

Alisha2008

Being from southern spain I find the best combination is UK summer and spanish winter.


Some parts of Spain have the same temperature all year round though, like Canary Islands (around 20-25 degrees and sunny). Bit boring

Triumph13

If only there was a way to have the English summer and the Australian winter...

chucknorris

Alisha2008 wrote: »

Being from southern spain I find the best combination is UK summer and spanish winter.

That's what we hope to do, but we are only at the early stages of planning it yet though. We spent 3 weeks in Nerja the year before last and also had a holiday in the Algarve last December. We found Nerja (which probably represents most of the Costa Del Sol) wasn't particularly dog friendly, particularly on the beaches and also at Lake Venuela where we had to keep him on a lead. I know that technically all (99%) beaches in Spain ban dogs, but I have heard that in the Cadiz region it is far less populated and in the winter months there wouldn't be too much of a problem taking a dog onto a beach, does this sound reasonable to you?

michael21

Hi, Forget Spain, I have just sold my villa and have to pay 21% CGT as a resident. The brits there are potless and look like beggars because they can't sell or get work. Government bodies , town Hall even Traffico can raid your bank account for monies owed without any notice whatsoever. Glad to see the back of the place after 30 years. Sorry for the rant.

hcb42

we are in the Midlands now, having lived in Scotland/Australia in the last 20 years and from the NW originally.

I think we would move back to the NW, nearer family, and it always feels so nice being back near ones roots.

locations we would consider include Buxton, Macclesfield area, Knutsford or going slightly north perhaps Hebden Br or Uppermill.

Definitely want a towny location, having spent 25 years miles from nearest shops etc.

Another place we do like is Truro, but that doesnt give us quite the same benefits

I think the difference between north England and south England is marginal in terms of temperature, would never make my decision on that...and the south seems to be suffering much more with extreme weather lately.

chucknorris

michael21 wrote: »

Hi, Forget Spain, I have just sold my villa and have to pay 21% CGT as a resident. The brits there are potless and look like beggars because they can't sell or get work. Government bodies , town Hall even Traffico can raid your bank account for monies owed without any notice whatsoever. Glad to see the back of the place after 30 years. Sorry for the rant.

I am more drawn to the Algarve, it just seems better. But thanks for your comments, we will carry on exploring with an open mind.

fedupnow

Norma_Desmond wrote: »

Where we live makes Tredegar look positively cosmopolitan.

Our experience is totally opposite - as English incomers to north Pembrokeshire 11 years ago, we were made to feel more welcome and people were friendlier than anywhere I've ever been.

If going back in time includes community spirit, low crime, a gentle pace of life and some of the most stunning, unspoilt coastal scenery in the world, what's not to like?

Shhhhh

Pembs is awful. Just awful. Some of the native Welsh even speak their own language! Stay away. It's awful!

atush

kidmugsy wrote: »

East Lothian is not wet, and the lighter summer evenings more than compensate for the dark winter days. It's cooler in July and August than the south of England, true, and Spring starts later: but I'd prefer it in July to our local hot-and-sticky weather. Much, much better soil for gardening too than our horrible clay, and good access to a remarkably beautiful city. Though I might prefer Sandbanks as a retirement spot - there's just one problem…..

You can say how great East lothian is all you like. I went there in summer and nearly froze to death lol.

Ok, it was Edinburgh, not EL but close enough. And was June/july.