UK area to retire to

It would be Sussex for me - good climate, lovely countryside and coastline, nice people.

Exmouth in East Devon has good shopping, a local hospital, good bus and train links - and a wonderful coast. It's also got a good mix of house styles and prices.

If you enjoy living in Southend, you probably enjoy the East Anglian coast, resorts like Great Yarmouth, Gorleston and Lowestoft. These towns have the advantage that they are much cheaper, certainly for buying property, so presumably for renting.
They will have access to public transport and you will not be too far from friends and family in Southend.

However, I would not move further from your current home than you absolutely need to and Petra is very right, you should first investigate every possible way of staying in your current flat before considering moving.

Making friends and developing a social life somewhere new, especially if you cannot get out very much can be difficult when you retired. Many older people who move to new places in retirement get very lonely and isolated. I had a friend who did just that and then could not afford to move back. I am sure that led to her early death.

I too wanted the sea when I retired, I'd have like to go back to Sussex where I grew up, but that was far too pricey. So I moved to Somerset. I now live in Burnham. The view down the Bristol Channel is spectacular, Wales on one side, Exmoor on the other, and the Atlantic straight ahead. It isn't quite the English Channel, and certainly not Cornwall, but affordable

My in-laws retired to Burnham-on-Sea in Somerset, the town is well gears to those who are a bit older, it's only in the past couple of years (now in their mid 80s) that their social life has reduced & that is their choice

I live in Worthing. It is flat. There is a bus/taxi scheme which is call Dial-a-ride which my grandmother used.....picks you up at your door, picks other people up along the way and drops off at central points I.e. Town centre. Picks up at prearranged time later and takes you back to your front door. There is also a place she used a lot...Methold House....go for lunch, organised outings, in house events, have a bath, chiropodist, hair done....she loved it. We have two cinemas....very modest sizes and two theatres along with other entertainment venues. There are a number of tea shops and coffee shops as well as places doing appropriately priced lunches for those who need. We have the sea one side and beautiful downs the other which creates its own little micro climate and has earns us the name ....sunny Worthing.

Here in Hemel Hempstead, we have everything we need. Surrounded by countryside but with excellent transport links, it's just the job. Last year we considered moving to Broadstairs but are so glad we didn't now as we are beginning to value just how lucky we are. An easy walk into the main town centre but even closer to the historical Old Town. The local authority is regenerating where needed and there are plenty of nice restaurants as well as theatres, cinema etc. All this and Ashridge estate on our doorstep. We have it all.

I sound like an estate agent, lol, but it's true. Hemel Hempstead has had bad press in the past, e.g. Ugly town but it's so not true.

The downside is that, with it's links to London (airports too), Cambridge, Milton Keynes etc., property is getting more expensive. This could be because people are realising the benefits, selling up in London (e.g. sell a flat there, buy a house here) and moving here. I like the Cosmopolitan atmosphere, street cafes, markets etc.

Good morning, have a look at The Royal Seabathing in Margate, right on the sea front, usually a flat or two to rent, not expensive and Margate is very up and coming. I wouldn't live anywhere else, and I have lived all over the country.

Up the road from Margate - Cliftonville. Loads of flats to rent and many with expansive sea views. We have fantastic sunsets and transport links are OK. It's a cheap property area.

Frinton,lovely retirement area by the sea just up coastline from Clacton but lot quieter.

devon or dorset are good choices as is cornwall. generally cheaper in the west country and there are loads of lovely places to live.
but i'm prejudiced - born in torquay and only left there to go to poole when i was 40.
and the cornwall bit? my father was cornish.
i wouldn't want to live any further north or east thank you!

Would it be possible to find a cheaper flat in Southend? My parents retired there and all the family loved it. It is less pricy than many of the places suggested and it has lots to offer. The estuary is very interesting to watch as there are so many different kinds of boats passing by. Often a sea view is just that; a view of the sea. Good luck in your decision.

Suffolk is a lovely place to retire to very unspoilt

I made what I hope is my final move last year to Devon, my Daughter & family are about 10 miles away. I live on the edge of a small Town, there is a bus service into Exeter or Newton Abbot (from where you can go all over) also train station in Newton Abbot. Doctors Surgery with Lloyds Pharmacy attached in Town & we have a volunteer group who will provide transport to Surgery & local Hospitals/Dentists. Lovely shop/Post Office at the end of my road who also deliver. Fabulous part of the UK & have lived in many areas. Also consider looking at Park Homes - this is my 2nd one - they are cheaper than bricks & mortar with lovely communities My Town has lots of activities going on which provides opportunities for making new friends.

My move to Devon followed my late Husband losing his battle with cancer - I waited 18 months before making the decision but we had already discussed my future as a Widow

Oh dear don't do it. this is just a dream. You will miss Southend and its not so easy if you don't get out to find friends. I live in place people come to in retirement and actually a lot go backhome.
A view is lovely but it can't comfort you if you fall on bad times. Stay where you are where you are in controll of things.

I live in Bournemouth and love it but properties with a sea view definitely don't come cheap!

Yes, why nor stay in Southend.

Wherever you move to on a coastal position will be expensive.

Unless it's up north I would forget it.

Google properties on right move and see what I mean.

The first priority to consider no matter where on the map of the UK you stick a pin is where's the nearest hospital and is it a good one?

I've been looking for something similar. I found a place called Mablethorpe Leistershire.
Bungalows seem to be inexpensive from £90,000 - £140,000 and most didn't red anything doing to them. Hope tho is helpful.

I would be very cautious about moving, particularly if you are already in a seaside place you find pleasant.
think of these things.
Are you on your own?.
Where are friends and family?
What is your health and mobilty like?

You will know what you can afford as regards housing costs

A lot of quieter seaside places might be rather empty in the winter and crowded in the summer.

The grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence.

Mablethorpe is in Lincolnshire and has a lot of caravan holiday parks. It is next to Skegness.

I think you will be making a mistake moving in your retirement. I live in Southend and am retired and would not live anywhere else, as it has everything you need and you are used to. Are you ready to make new friends in a strange place.

A neighbour is in the process of moving to Cleethorpes in Lincolnshire. A very nice 3 bed chalet bungalow for just £120,000. Same type of property here in Central Bedfordshire is £400,000. I do not know about transport but it should be quite easy to look up. Hope you find something you love,

How strange * ellenemery* my friends also moved to Cleethorpes just after their retirement, mainly because it is flat and the H has breathing problems. Also a chalet bungalow although I think they paid slightly more. We have been several times to visit them and it would take a battalion of heavy artillery to get me there. I cannot understand the attraction. Does that make me an awful person?

Tynemouth. Beautiful, historic (3 kings were buried at the Priory) and well-connected by the Metro to Newcastle, 8 miles inland. Loads of good eateries have sprung up and Longsands is a wonderful surfing beach if you fancy taking up a sport in your retirement.