Where to move to?

Sarahmob, Lincolnshire is indeed a lovely county, but if the OP wants shops, best avoid Boston, the death knell is sounding.....……….

You’ve missed out the East Midlands which has its own airport and has 2 others close by in Manchester and Birmingham. Plus there are some beautiful places to live in the Peak District or in Nottinghamshire, far prettier than Slough and property is considerably less expensive than the South East of England.

Slough is not picturesque but it abuts and is adjacent to Burnham, Wexham, Stoke Poges, Taplow, George Green, Iver and Iver Heath, the Farnhams and some rural surroundings.

I live in a village a couple of miles from Slough and you would think you were in the middle of the countryside.

We're ninety minutes from Bristol, MCR and Liverpool airports, 40 minutes from BHX.

To the east we have the West Midlands conurbation with shops, eateries and entertainment; as for culture, we're an hour's drive or train ride from Stratford upon Avon and the RSC. and Birmingham has the NEC and Symphony Hall.

Within easy reach to the west we have the rolling countryside of Shropshire, or north Worcestershire and the Severn Valley.

Property is not expensive and though others may denigrate our area, as someone has remarked, more fool them. I think you can work out where we are from what I've said.

Oh, and the coast is about ninety minutes for either Somerset or North Wales.

“Chewbacca”. We live in North Wales and are just over 45 minutes from Manchester and Liverpool airports.

N.Ireland ! You could buy any house you wanted here for the price of a 2 bedroom cottage in the Cotswolds. Beautiful scenery, good standard of living, friendly people. Because we are small you are rarely more than an hour away from Belfast with it's (normally) host of restaurants, 3 theatres, shopping and cinema. We live 25 mins from Belfast outside a thriving village, we are also only 15 mins from the sea, and 45 from the mountains. Also 2 airports to those from. What's not to like? ?

No Nikdumpling. No airports in North or West Norfolk or motorways either but nevertheless it’s a great place to live!!

Can I suggest you explore the area around the little country market town of Cowbridge, about 30 minutes drive from Cardiff in South Wales? It’s got stunning coastline nearby, the town is small, upmarket and quite vibrant. Cardiff airport is about 25 minutes away or travel an hour or so to Bristol airport to double your choice. The countryside is beautiful around there. Indeed Charlotte Church was a resident nearby for many years sso a complete range of property, styles and prices. Definitely worth a visit

I suggest North Hampshire / Surrey border. One hour from London, coast, and two airports. Good hospitals especially Frimley Park. Top hospital. This area often comes up as best in country. Nice for shopping especially Guildford. Hope that helps.

I don't live anywhere near Slough, but I have spent many happy years in another town people like to be rude about, more fool them.

I live in Buckinghamshire which has some beautiful countryside and lovely villages and not too far from Heathrow and Luton airports so might be worth a look for you.

10 years ago, we were looking for a place with land in a rural location but couldn't find anything we liked enough to uproot. Now, I am so pleased we didn't. My joints are getting worse and I have watched my mother become less able to get around so I am now looking for something in easy reach of a decent supermarket I can get to without a car. I am also more aware of how hard it is to get home help when you live out in the sticks, where the decent hospitals are and the need for a smaller garden.
It is also difficult to suggest places without knowing a ball park budget. You'll pay much higher prices in West Sussex that West Cornwall or Wales!

That's just about every area of the country now that's recommended so you'll have to decide.

New Brighton and the wirral, direct train to liverpool

Ramsbury in Wiltshire is one of the nicest places to live in the UK - I live in the next village which is also good! Beautiful countryside in the North Wessex Downs AONB. Hour from Heathrow or Bristol ..... one of the best GP Practice 's in the UK if that is also important?

Other areas - Alnwick, is supposed to be lovely but there are some beautiful areas in all parts of the UK ..... Yorkshire, the Lothians/Edinburgh area, Somerset, definitely NOT Slough though! Blurgh .....

Start with your budget and what you absolutely need to have, then look at areas.
Oxford to Paddington is only 45 mins by train, you might need to stand up all the way though and by road on a good run is only an hour and a half. But property with land is very expensive, again depends on your budget.

Like Bazza, I'm also from Surrey, but husband is from Essex, Saffron Walden is a very pretty town and within easy reach of Stanstead. It's quite rural and rolling and very unspoilt in that county, lots of oldy worldy villages, once you get away from the Greater London vicinity. I think I'm right in saying, and because you said you like the coast that isn't too far away either. As you say, many gorgeous places to choose from. I'd investigate some of the many suggestions put forward here.

Chipping Campden! Or one of the satellite villlages nearby like Stratford on Avon, Broadway, Moreton in Marsh etc All gorgeous places with great shops and restaurants nearby and less than an hour from Birmingham Int aiport. Not too far from Luton and Bristol airports either. Good luck!

Come to Shropshire, its a beautiful county with lovely towns like Shrewsbury & Ludlow. Lots of outside space, largely unknown & free from visitors and an hour from BHX & about 90 mins from MAN, tho that's from our place 8 miles south of Shrewsbury - it would be less to MAN from north Shropshire & to BHX from east Shropshire. I've lived here all my life and I wouldn't live anywhere else. Often features on Escape to the Country.

We have friends who moved to Danbury in Essex, and we were both very surprised at how pretty it is, lots of other lovely villages nearby. A short hop to Stanstead airport and near the coast. I’m a Surrey girl, but I found Essex is much less crowded.

Having done the last couple of years looking for a retirement place and having no family we could move anywhere. The best prices and largest properties are in
Lincolnshire. I am not sure if there is a airport near though
Withernsea is nice and Bridlington and the Yorkshire cost is
lovely and this is going through a regeneration over the next few years. We have decided on the isle of Aran. it is small enough to feel part of a community but has everything on the island you would need like a small hospital etc. 6000 population so not too few that everyone is into your business. Nearest airport is Glasgow 30 mins by train.This is defiantly where we are going to retire unfortunately will have to work a few years yet as though work from home it will not travel out of the area we now live. Good luck with where ever you move to.

I think I would go South if I could choose - Cornwall, Devon, Hampshire. That’s because I live in the North and I’m used to the area and can visit anytime. Be nice to have a new adventure in a new place. Our family ties dictate where we live and I don’t mean that unkindly, I love being close to them. Good luck! xx

Harpenden, St Albans, or Bedford And surrounding areas, all nice places close to Luton airport the M1 and M25.
Let us know where you decide. Good luck

I'm sorry your bereavement means you need to move home. How about a camper van and travel to all the different areas where you might consider living, spending a few days just looking at the area, visiting estate agents - do this each weekend until you find what you're looking for. It's good to have something besides your loss to keep your mind busy.

Not the north or east of Norfolk that's for sure! (Unless you own a helicopter)