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Shall we ? Your opinions please

(87 Posts)
BBbevan Wed 08-Jun-16 08:33:57

We have lived in our present house for 40 yrs.We have never particularly liked the area but circumstances, frail parents, children in good schools etc have kept us here.
There is now only my sister in this town and she is thinking of moving
We have just come back from a holiday in N Wales which was quiet and peaceful. Returning and driving down our road we were struck again by the congestion and cars everywhere. Local lanes which we could walk the children along a few years ago are now dangerous rat-runs and every small space is being built upon.
My daughter who lives in W Wales has suggested we move nearer to them. We are in our early 70s. I think we may like to move, but is it a good idea at our age? DH and I are still in reasonable health and quite active.
Your views would be much appreciated.

Jaycee5 Wed 08-Jun-16 19:14:53

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.

numberplease Wed 08-Jun-16 22:08:01

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

chrissyh Wed 08-Jun-16 22:39:30

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.

rubylady Wed 08-Jun-16 22:40:40

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. grin

Eloethan Wed 08-Jun-16 23:23:03

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.

CheekyGran Thu 09-Jun-16 08:48:10

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

BBbevan Thu 09-Jun-16 16:10:19

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

carerof123 Thu 09-Jun-16 16:22:34

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!!!

BBbevan Fri 10-Jun-16 12:39:47

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

M0nica Fri 10-Jun-16 19:38:50

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.

Emelle Fri 10-Jun-16 21:25:28

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.

rubylady Fri 10-Jun-16 23:34:13

Don't forget the fresh flowers on the table, fresh coffee smells and baked bread or cakes. I don't know if this still works but I sold a house in 13 days doing this. Good luck. X

BBbevan Sat 11-Jun-16 05:20:30

Apparently it takes an average of 5 weeks to sell a house where we live, so we will wait and see.

gettingonabit Sat 11-Jun-16 09:48:08

Fingers crossed, BB!

Sugarpufffairy Sat 11-Jun-16 16:13:18

I am watching this thread because I really do have to consider the future in my decision on where to stay.

BBbevan Sun 12-Jun-16 11:52:26

Spent the morning in the loft. Gosh we have so much 'stuff' Still we will sort it out slowly and carefully.

nigglynellie Tue 14-Jun-16 21:24:52

Sounds fantastic, very good luck to you. My BiL and his family lived in West Wales, and we had some fabulous holidays there right on the coast which is very beautiful. They are in their 70's and are in the process of moving to Builth Wells to be near their son and his family. A new holiday location? We hope so!!

cornergran Tue 14-Jun-16 22:20:14

A beautiful location bb, if you don't try it you will never know. [smile. The very best of luck.

BBbevan Thu 16-Jun-16 11:16:20

Well the For Sale board went up this morning. It is real now

Nonnie1 Thu 16-Jun-16 11:23:38

I lived in my old house for over thirty years. When we moved I cried.
Not only that I kept going back to visit it.
I would take a deep breath and drive past. One day to my shock and horror, the Japanese Kanzan Cherry tree which was a thing of beauty and had flowered so magnificently for us had been cut back so hard I almost crashed the car.

I realised then that the house was no longer mine, or the tree for that matter which had been a birthday present.

I had put down roots.

I'll never do that again.

I love my house where I live now, but I love the garden more.

I'll move again no problem, and when I do I will remove every living thing from the outside and take it with me......

Joking smile

MOVE. You won't regret it in the long run. You'll be glad to did and it will give you a chance to get rid of clutter.... and 'home' is where you are, where your heart is, where your family are.

gettingonabit Thu 16-Jun-16 11:33:59

bbevan have you seen anything you like yet?

Greyduster Thu 16-Jun-16 12:22:51

Nonnie I could have written your post. The house we sold after having it for thirty one years came up for sale again a few years later. I had a sneaky look at the agent's details and couldn't believe what they'd done to the beautiful garden I'd worked so hard on. Every feature they'd raved over when they came to see it had gone. They'd transformed it into a featureless desert. Every tree, bush and bed - gone. Paving, pergola, the lot! It broke my heart. But, as you say, once you've sold it, why should you care? It doesn't do to get attached. BBbevan. I hope you'll be very happy when you move. We are off to St David's in August for a week that will pass far too quickly and we'll drag ourselves home looking over our shoulders all the way to Carmarthen and beyond!

BBbevan Thu 16-Jun-16 13:24:00

Not yet. We need to be there really It is a 5 hr drive from here.. But my DD has said that if we haven't found anything by the time we need to move, we can stay with her and put our stuff in storage. We wil have the leisure to investigate properly and will have the advantage of being a cash buyer

BBbevan Fri 17-Jun-16 05:33:22

Well, we have 3 viewings today. All a bit sudden as the house went on the market just yesterday.

BBbevan Fri 17-Jun-16 05:36:56

Looking back over this thread I wondered how Sugarplumfairy was ?