Shall we ? Your opinions please

Hope all goes well with the house sale and move BBbevan. It is both stressful and exciting at the same time but well worth it in the end. I'm delighted to say we have exchanged contracts on our new house today and
we are really excited about our move back to Lancashire after some time spent away.

Check what activities are available locally. Are there things to do that you will enjoy doing so that you can build a social life independent of your family, however much you love them.

My parents found a retirement home in an area they liked, put in an offer that was accepted, went to the library to check on local activities and found nothing that interested them and withdrew the offer and looked elsewhere. When they did move they checked that there were activities locally they enjoyed and as a result had a very happy retirement with lots of friends and things to do.

Thank you everyone for all the sensible advice. Estate agent and photographer coming on Tuesday

How lovely the decision has more or less been made for you. Go and enjoy the rest of your life in a place you want to be. As for making new friends, church if you are inclined, WI, and bowling is a great way to meet people in your new area and make friends. Good luck in your new adventure!!!

Just went to see my attached neighbours to tell them about moving. He is retiring soon and they hope to spend a lot of time out of the country. They propose to rent the house out. So that has really decided us

We moved from town to country and love it. We do have friends and family in the area and are still in touch with friends from our last home who visit from time to time.
It is much more difficult to make new good friends later on I think and also a very good idea to rent first and try it out. Good luck whatever you decide

As you're not happy where you are, I think it's a good idea to move somewhere quieter and prettier - and nearer your daughter (though I don't think that should be the primary reason). West Wales is lovely.

I wouldn't go too rural though. Make sure you have shops, doctors, library, good public transport, etc., at hand.

Good luck - I hope you enjoy the adventure.

Aw, that's lovely BBbevan. It's how I have sorted out dilemas in the past, like which child I like best. If the house was on fire, which one would I save? You know, that sort of thing? I mean, of course it would be the dog anyway, but still. ONLY JOKING. (for anyone who thought I was serious) No, it would seriously be the dog.

Are you in a position to rent for a period for a time say 6 or 12 months (you could let your property for this time if money is a problem) and see whether you would like to make it permanent. After all, a fortnight on holiday is different to living there. Friends of ours used to holiday in Yorkshire twice every year and loved it. they decided to move there but, due to a period of ill health, realised that doctors, hospitals, shops, etc. were too far away. Difficult, when you are active to know what it is like when you are not.

Thank you Soop, I`d love to BE your neighbour!

Emelle I don't think it's selfish. Just because we are all getting on, it doesn't mean that any move has to be final and trying things out is the only way to be really sure. You can't sacrifice your own happiness for others however close they are. It sounds like you have had a good opportunity for a proper reflection and know what is going to suit you best.

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We moved to N Wales after thirty years in Northamptonshire, partly to move from a rambling old house which was too much to look after, nearly an acre of garden, high fuel bills etc, have lived here over a year now and love it. The house is about thirty years old, fully double glaze, still quite big but much, much less housework and the fuel bills are down to about one third of what they were. We have beaches fifteen minutes away, can walk on the Clwydian hills five minutes away, the health service is brilliant, we are in Caerwys, a small town with a shop, pharmacy, hairdresser, butcher, post office, two pubs, cafe, food at the golf club which is very down to earth and not at all stuffy and, best of all, only 25mins from out son and family in Chester. There is a regular bus service, lots of activities, no regrets at all.

I just asked DH your suggestionruby We will ring estate agent tomorrow ( we had a valuation a few months ago) W Wales here we come

If you were on holiday somewhere else than your DD, and were making your way back home, which area/home would you like to be driving back to? There's your answer. Good luck.

Wondering why on earth someone would want to move from Anglesey to Prestatyn. I agree it is very important to think about location of house. Think yourself forward in time and maybe you might not be able to continue driving - so it is a great advantage to be in a small town with all facilities to hand and not in some idyllic spot in the countryside (with a huge garden that could lose its charm...)

What a wonderful opportunity! You have said you don't particularly like the area you are living in and you found Wales, where your daughter lives, to be quite and peaceful. I would get that estate agents pole in the garden pronto.

I have a second home in the Lakes but would not stay there permanently as the nearest hospital is about thirty minutes away and does not have a good reputation. I keep thinking if we had a stroke or heart attack we would not make A and E in time for effective treatment.

number I would love you for a neighbour. It's swings and roundabouts...we love the slow pace of life in Kintyre. The village has a good heart, as do the people living in it. We enjoy the marvellous scenery and wild life. It is, as you rightly say, not too much fun when one needs to travel to Glasgow for hospital appointments. Family live in mid and southern England. We all meet for weddings and such. For one weekend in the year, our entire clan gathers for a huge, happy-making catch-up.
We cannot imagine not living here.

Always better to move TO somewhere rather than FROM and do it while you are fit enough to get out and about making friends and joining things.
It is a wise idea to take into consideration all things medical. DH wouldn't move nearer to DD as she is in a much busier area but if anything happened to him I know full well that is exactly what I will need to do. On my own I would never manage the house we have downsized to so Assisted Living it would be if I wear him out!

I would give anything to be able to move to the Kintyre region of Scotland, my favourite place on this earth, but for health reasons we need to be near medical treatment, so will have to stay put.

Think carefully before you move, it is much harder to make new friends when you are older, no meeting people with similar interests at school gate! We live close to my daughter and although people come here regularly for meals it is not reciprocated. People of your own age are very tied up with their own grandchildren and busy lives and have already established their own friends and are not necessarily wanting to start new ones or have the energy! Think carefully!

Could you try renting in the general area for a year maybe and letting out your current home? This would give you a real insight into what it is like to live there even in the dreadful weather and how you would fit into your family's life once you were closer.

Best thing we ever did! Moved from a commuter village on the edge of a city which was deserted after 8.30 to seaside Suffolk. Main criteria was that there had to be a real community with plenty of things to join in with. Now full diaries, new friends, new interests and a really supportive community. Most friendly place I've ever lived in.

For many reasons, it would be better for me to live closer to my sons' families, one in Berkshire, one in Oxfordshire. I am now 75 and for a few years haven't been in the best of health. However, I don't know if the value of my house here in Cheshire would buy me an equivalent property. I have friends here and excellent GPs. One family would like me to have a granny apartment with them if they can find a suitable property. So many questions!

For many reasons, it would be better for me to live closer to my sons' families, one in Berkshire, one in Oxfordshire. I am now 75 and for a few years haven't been in the best of health. However, I don't know if the value of my house here in Cheshire would buy me an equivalent property. I have friends here and excellent GPs. One family would like me to have a granny apartment with them if they can find a suitable property. So many questions!