Moving

Quite a task you have set yourself. Perhaps think about the sort of person you are and what you will need in your new life to make you happiest.Try making a list of the positives and negatives of where you live now and what you might miss. We made the big move a year ago, a real gamble but we love the area. We didn’t do much research but I knew on my first house viewing (without him indoors as he went to another part of the country that day.)
What looks good on TV programmes may not be right for you, and some areas may not be welcoming to incomers. I can recommend go for visits go round the shops and cafes - do they feel comfortable and welcoming? May be some locals would chat to you - nothing like the insider’s view.

I wish you all the best and hope you find the right place.

Try East Hertfordshire.. we like the market town we live in , diverse community and lots of clubs to cater for all ages and mobility: we have Stansted Airport 4 miles away but we very rarely hear any noise , M11 motorway less than 2 miles away and our local train station is situated close to the town centre ..just 25 minutes to Liverpool Street or go north to Cambridge and beyond !!! Hatfield Forest is just a couple of miles away for lovely leisurely walks , lots of pretty villages around us so it’s a great place to live

Wherever you chose, make sure that you have a store nearby, on a bus route, have Doctors surgery.
Lots of lovely places and scenery but no good if you can no longer drive or walk very far.

We moved to South Devon to retire 3 years ago. We have every thing here in this town and its near the sea and rural walks. The locals are friendly to incomers and very helpful if you are stuck for anything. Lots of people from the North have retired here too.
We had a caravan on a season pitch for 3 years and thoroughly researched the area before moving. Decided against a village as no Drs or shops in most of them. Research well before moving OP and if you choose seaside make sure you have a spare bedroom for family visiting.
We've seen more of family since the move than we ever did before lol

What town are you in sazz1? If you don't mind me asking?

I moved to Devon 7 years ago as I was widowed 2 years before & DD had moved to Devon. I live in a small Town about 5 miles from Newton Abbot, 11 miles from Exeter. I'm originally from Yorkshire, 11 miles from Skipton & 11 miles from Settle.

I lived in Sunbury on Thames for 23 years, following DH's retirement I took early retirement as his health wasn't good, he was 14 years older than me we moved to Somerset, a hamlet near Yeovil which we loved.

I love Devon & the people are lovely & friendly, there's lots going on in Town, clubs etc. Small Tesco & 2 Co-op shops plus lovely Independent shops . Unfortunately the lovely Post Office/General Store closed about 3 years ago, I could walk to it. Buses are every half hour to Newton & hourly to Exeter but the bus stop is too far for me to walk & there's no bench to sit on. Doctors Surgery in Town has a volunteer driver scheme attached to it which is booked through Reception, they will take you to the Surgery or local Hospitals/Dentists.

I have no regrets moving here despite being a "blow in".

I am from Alnwick Northumberland too! I recommend it as being friendly and near the sea and beautiful countryside. I agree main hospitals are some distance away as already stated. So again think carefully about that. Good luck! Plenty of interest groups to join in Alnwick.

Ilkley is lovely and has a good amount of shops. Check out transport links that you would require...taxis no problem at all.
I suppose it depends if you want to be near family.

How about considering Norwich. It’s a beautiful city, not too big and there are lovely villages not too far from the city.

I'm in Cheshire and only a short train ride away from Chester, Liverpool and Manchester (with excellent motorway links too). There are lots of villages and small towns and all very friendly. Counties further north are beautiful too (Yorkshire, Cumbria, Northumberland) but are quite a bit colder than Cheshire. In my experience I find the further north you go, the friendlier people are and the Scottish people are the friendliest of all!

Have a look at youtube, there are many tours of small towns and lovely areas. I did like york when I watched that

Northumberland is lovely, very friendly people but colder. Areas around liverpool, not as pretty as northumberland but the friendliest people and very good transport links, also still very good value homes. My sister lives up there and goes walking in the forest every day

Market towns in general, I can hear cows when they are bulling and horses going down the main road but ten minutes easy walk to all the shops, most of which are the old style small shops. Everything I need is within that walk, buses are five minutes away

Depends on your budget

Lots of advice already but not a mention of weather ( except one)? ! South uk is usually drier and warmer- not so extreme. Check risk of flooding too.
Distance from family- is this a factor to consider for you?
Transport links- vital!
What sort of arts, clubs, cultural events on offer?
Op mentioned lack of taxis- may become an issue?
Health services? Distance, type, efficiency?

I would second SuzieHi’s point : the weather is noticeably colder and snowier the further north you venture! I’m originally from the North East but I couldn’t manage the winters now.

We retired to the rural northwest and were just saying last night as we get older or one is left which will be inevitable a move will have to be made. We have no....Shops, fresh milk, doctors, dentist, solicitors, active social gatherings, WI, hairdressers, library, bus service and finally nowhere safe to walk on your own.
If or when either of us has to move we would be looking at a small town where there are amenities and keep away from the honey pots, like Ilkley, Seatle, Kirby Londsdale, Boston Spa, Keswick and Kendal where the price of housing is through the roof.

Don’t move to Matlock!

How do you find a town that is friendly ? It is impossible to tell before you move and try it I have found the one we moved to not be friendly ( locals ) incomers like me were fine . If you have good friends where you are stay .

Karmalady just read about what you said about areas around Liverpool not being as pretty as Northumberland . Sorry but I have to disagree. As you know I moved from the West Midlands nearly 3 years ago to the Liverpool area. There are a lot of very pretty places here . You are definitely right about the people I have never met such friendly people and the health care here is excellent. Transport links are brilliant. And once women and men get to 60 get a free bus / local train pass. I can go as far as Chester on the train for free.

Wide choice of beautiful properties and the cost of living here is cheaper . Tradesmen are brilliant and don't charge the earth. Perfect example I had a new up and over garage door and frame my friend in the Midlands had identical work done and door. Cost me £800 cost her £1,500.

Where I used to live getting snowed in for a week at least every winter was a yearly event. Here we don't get the snow but have got used to the high winds. I forget I live close to the sea.

Since my move I live my life to the full no longer just exist. I quickly made friends and GP etc are a bus ride away.

I live in a Herefordshire market town ,which is rapidly growing with new housing estates. Many people are moving into the area which seems idyllic but unfortunately the infrastructure just cannot cope . We already had 3weeks wait for the Gp pre-covid, have no NHS dental services taking on patients and schools getting overcrowded. The nearest shopping centre, cinema, hospital and railway station is 15 miles away , buses hourly but the last one being at around 6pm. All these things need to be considered before taking the plunge and moving. I moved here over 40 years ago when the place was much smaller but much better served. We do have several good supermarkets for everyday purchases. and lots of independent shops that tourists love, but they are either too expensive or niche for most people, and many estate agents and charity shops. If you need clothes or shoes you have to travel, or shop online as I do as I don't drive.

Theo - think very carefully before you leave the London area. I wish I had taken my advice.

Why billybobdid it go wrong

I wish I'd stayed in London too Billybob4491, but when he was promoted up here I didn't have a choice.

sorry 'he' is my late husband. I do wish we could edit posts.

What has been the issues with leaving London

Know that if you want to you Can come back

We moved to Peterborough and wanted to come back to London so we did

I didn't have the budget to go home, unfortunately. Our tiny two bed Victorian terrace in Whitton is now £575K, I got £275K for my 5 bed up here - admittedly in need of renovation, but still 264 sq m.

We lived in North Bedfordshire, there are some lovely villages and countryside and it was only 40 minutes from London on the train, probably less now.