Life is getting a bit trying! Should I relocated!

Libby definitely go for it - the combination of your son being delighted to have you near and you valuing your independence is a wonderful thing. Hampshire is lovely, we have relatives in Andover.

After Mum died my Dad (86 at the time) moved from the Hampshire coast to the Midlands to be near us.
It's been tough over the last year with all the lockdowns, but he's starting to make friends. He still drives so is very independent.
We're both working still but Dad comes to us every Sunday (as a bubble).
He said he feels safe living in his extra-care apartment and we're only 15 minutes away now, not four hours away. It's reassuring for us as well.
We're all looking forward to lockdown easing and life becoming a bit more sociable again!

Go for it Libby65 , it’s wonderful here .

Definitely do it and look on it as an adventure, something to look forward to and have fun meeting new people. Join the U3A if you’re that way inclined. They have any club you could wish for and a great way to meet other like minded folks. Good luck whatever you decide. ?

Sounds exciting-go for it. It’s definitely sunnier down there!

My husband and I migrated to Australia in our mid sixties to join our daughter ... you’re never too old if you’re fit and well. Top tip for resettling (we’ve done it several times) Join every club you think you may be interested in ... you can stop going to the ones you don’t like later ... we hated the table tennis club but made a good friend there. Good luck!

I say what’s stopping you and there are grans living there. When everything’s settled you could probably have meets ups. That would be wonderful for you go for it!

Good luck go for it... Welcome to Hampshire.

I would go for it. Your son is happy with the idea. At the moment, the physical distance between you is about as far as is possible on this island of ours.

You and me both, Libby65. DH died six weeks ago and if all goes well I'll be upping sticks and moving from East Anglia back to Hampshire where I come from.

I'm 73 and I'm looking forward to being close to family and old friends. After 45 years in EA it will be a wrench but also an adventure.

Go for it!!

Good move Merlotgran,

merlotgran well done, it's good to have some plans and something to look forward to.

Libby65 another one who says yes, go for it but make sure you join social activities and make friends as others have said.

I live in a remote part of Cumbria and was widowed 5 years ago. My DH loved long distance driving, I don’t. The family live in Surrey and Australia and I have found it increasingly tedious using public transport to reach them and it’s a long trip up for them. Our remaining friends here were my husbands and have now drifted away. There is little to do here for a single older person unless you’re fit enough for walking in our lovely countryside. Therefore I sold my lovely bungalow and am moving to the city. There I have a mainline station, only 3 hours to London and hopefully clubs and societies to join when we diminish COVID. Although I’d decided to move before the pandemic, the lockdowns have emphasised how lonely and cut off you can feel and I’m someone who likes their own company.
You need to think how you will manage and feel when you’re a lot older. Think hard about it. The younger and fitter you are, the less stressful it will be to uproot yourself. And, believe me, it is stressful!
Good luck!

Two years ago OH, at the grand age of 75 moved from Hampshire to live with me in the Midlands.

He says it’s sooo cold up here compared to the South Coast?

There’s some lovely places down there. One of the nicest counties I think.

Peasblossom my Dad thinks it's colder here in the Midlands as well! In fact I've just had an extra radiator fitted in our lounge next to where he sits ?

Yes , go for it. We did at exactly your age, four years ago, to be near D D . Love it where we are now

My DH is 71 and we are considering emigrating to New Zealand "at some time in the future"!

Go for it. Hampshire is a fantastic county. Coast,countryside,great for getting to London,ferries to France,can’t recommend it enough. Emsworth is a fabulous small town. Do it!