Should I move?

keepcalmandcavachon

Allira

undines

Bungalows and 'future-proofing' make me shudder! Stairs are excellent exercise. 'Use it or lose it' - focussing on decline can encourage it. Do what makes you happiest.

Yes, but you can lose it even if you live in a house. What then?
You have to pay someone to clean, garden, decorate, that is if you can find anyone.

I agree Allira, the future is out there and I'm gonna' be ready for it

There's a window of opportunity - don't miss it!

Right, I'm off up the wooden hills to Bedfordshire 😁

Well, you’ve all given me plenty to think about. I’m so close to everything where I am and really don’t need a car (in fact when I couldn’t drive for over a year I didn’t really miss it.) I couldn’t live in a flat without a garden as I spend all my time out there in the warmer months.
Can you get stairlifts for steep narrow stairs? I do worry about maintenance but I’m an old house person too. I have a very useful ex-husband who lives down the road and does lots of jobs for me.
I just love the idea of living on one floor but maybe it’s a pipe dream….
And I have an ancient cathedral on my doorstep and am a mere 20 minutes from London on the train (the station is a short walk.) I think I’ve talked myself out of it by posting so thank you for helping me think about it!

I’ve moved 6 times, so hold not allegiance to bricks and mortar, I’ve moved my memories with me. I’ve realised having moved this many times (to accommodate growing then them leaving to go their way, including grandchildren) that we need to adapt to the changes in our health and wellbeing.
I’d defo say a bungalow, not a flat or anything that you have to share with anyone, above, to the side or below you, as my garden which is small enough is my wee chill place. I also would suggest moving somewhere fairly close to shops or train station or has a good bus service for when you cannot drive, so at least you can get to shops and places of interest. It’s great having good neighbours, but they could eventually decide to move as we don’t know how life will go, so i agree with other post, maybe start looking at wee bungalows, perhaps drive into the area and stop for a coffee or a wee shop and get the feel of the place and the locals, and get excited about all the new places and people you’ll meet. Then you can invite your old neighbours over. Good luck.

Good to hear you've made your decision LaCrepescule.
Moving is a nightmare, even if you are lucky to get everything moving smoothly, it took me years of buyers pulling out and my purchase folding for whatever reason. Wish you every happiness.

Someone I know moved from our market town in East Midlands to Middlesex.

They moved from a 4 or 5 bedroom detached property to a 3 bedroom semi-detached bungalow. They moved to be closer to their ACs working in London and the cultural scene in London.

I do not know how they managed to arrange the real estate viewings from East Midlands. It is a case of where there's a will, there's a way. I believe if you want something bad enough, you make it happen.

LaCrepescule

Well, you’ve all given me plenty to think about. I’m so close to everything where I am and really don’t need a car (in fact when I couldn’t drive for over a year I didn’t really miss it.) I couldn’t live in a flat without a garden as I spend all my time out there in the warmer months.
Can you get stairlifts for steep narrow stairs? I do worry about maintenance but I’m an old house person too. I have a very useful ex-husband who lives down the road and does lots of jobs for me.
I just love the idea of living on one floor but maybe it’s a pipe dream….
And I have an ancient cathedral on my doorstep and am a mere 20 minutes from London on the train (the station is a short walk.) I think I’ve talked myself out of it by posting so thank you for helping me think about it!

Good. I love to be out working in gardens, my husband and I can diy most anything - your xH sounds similarly helpful. Well done deciding!

I moved over 100 miles to the north west nearly 7 years ago best thing I have done since my husband died in 2004. Love my 2 bed bungalow. Neighbours are brilliant. Have joined several groups have more friends than I have ever had. Transport is excellent..If it wasn't for the healthcare I received here I wouldn't still know what my disability I was born with when I was 63 when I was 62 found out I was also born with a hole in the side of my heart.

After my husband died I existed I didn't have a life . The house wasn't home anymore.

Now I live my life to the full and the time here has flown by . You couldn't pay me million pounds to go back too where I used to live . I moved on my own and sorted everything out myself .

I have a friend who always said to me that we should always make plans, whilst we're able to. However she didn't! Her stairs were unsafe, too steep. Many more problems too. She had to move into a care home earlier than she would have liked. Although I understand people's worries of moving into a ground floor flat. If you have the good fortune to buy one in a good location they can be ideal., if it's ground floor with a small garden. It would be a shame to move away from friends. It's just thinking about enabling you to remain in your own safe home for much longer. None of us know how or if our health will deteriorated not how quickly. But I do know if you try to move when your health goes downhill, it becomes so much harder unless you get a lot of help. I suppose it is about taking responsibility for about how long you want to remain in a home of your own, with as much safety and independence as possible.