Who do you turn to?

Me!

I moved here after 35 years in Kent, where I had few friends. My DS lived nearby but died not long ago, just before my DH.

DD lives not far which I why I moved here, but both she and her husband have demanding jobs and they have two just teens, one of whom is disabled.

DS lives in India ATM and only comes home for a month in July.

I am fortunate in being in excellent health and manage everything despite not having a car. My neighbours would help but they have worse health than me and have lots of family nearby.

So I am totally self-reliant. I hate to think what would happen if I needed help…

We have no one to turn to, all notions of community seem to have disappeared in England. We have three daughters spread around the UK, all are incredibly busy with careers. The nearest lives 45 minutes away. We have a family WhatsApp but we only actually see any of our three half a dozen times a year.
I often feel lonely.

Neither of my DC live within a hundred miles so I have to be self sufficient though I am very grateful for helpful neighbours, two of whom sorted out my cow damaged rear fence yesterday. On the whole, though, I pay. At least living in a village there is usually someone fairly local to tackle most jobs.

Half of my family live abroad, DS lives a 45 minute drive from me but I have a sister who lives at the other end of my town. I have a neighbour who has door keys in case of emergency.

We have children fairly close and good friends and neighbours close by so are fortunate. My port of call has always been my DH , but since his dementia diognosis I have to recognize that he is no longer quite as reliable and rational as he was - and I know it will get worse. That is hard!

My AC live close by and I also have MrA here now but I did spend many years alone. some years ago.
All the neighbours keep an eye on one another here too, which is good too.

Our children both live in the same town as us but at the moment it is usually the other way round they call us for help.

Fortunately I still have my DH and our family all live within 20 mins of us.
In fact as youngsters of 70 and 72 we are still the ones who look out for DHs mother ( 92) and one neighbour ( 86 ).

I've just moved to be closer to family so I have seen them far more which is nice as I used to go days without seeing anyone. But if I need practical help I have to pay someone.

My new neighbours on one side seem nice but apparently the chap on the other side is something of a recluse.

I live alone and sometimes really need someone, anyone, just to talk to. For me it helps to come here and join in a thread.

Once when very depressed I called Samaritans, they're there 24hrs a day and they saved my life. That's about it really...