UK area to retire to

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.

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!

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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

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.

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.

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

Barmouth

Surprised nobody has suggested the North West yet. There are fantastic transport links all over Merseyside and train and bus travel is free to over 60s throughout the region. I'd suggest having a look at Formby and Southport, Crosby is nearer the city, or Wallasey on the Wirral.

Devon and Cornwall get very crowded in the summer
All those grockles and emmets

Norfolk sounds nice

I looked at property in Silloth when we nearly moved to Cumbria. Yes, a lovely spot but the house I was viewing was just a tad too close to the sea and I was thinking 'global warming'.

Silloth is a lovely place - I am just along the coast at Allonby. for an ideal retirement place I would go to Llandudno. The views are lovely and the town has lots of activities for pensioners with good transport and a good variety of shops.

I live in a beautiful small unspoilt seaside town called Silloth on Solway, the views are spectacular whether across the sea to Scotland or to the west and the Isle of Man (not visible every day). The sunsets are wonderful!

Vissos I'm not far from you, Shoebury. I'm afraid that I think southend has it all. Although there are many who still think it's just kiss me quick hats.
Without knowing your personnel circumstances it's difficult to comment. But what I can tell you is: if you are going to claim pension credit, the maintainance payments on your flat will be paid for. Not insurance. And you are allowed £10,000 in savings and still claim credit. Find out all you can claim before you move to a 'strange town'
You say you don't get out much. Have you looked at 'Steetlife' in southend, it's brilliant.

Forget the rest
St.Andrews is best !

What about Eastbourne in East Sussex? It's the sunshine town of the UK - allegedly!

I would suggest the Northumberland coast. It is absolutely beautiful, but it might be a bit far for you. Have a look at some of these . My favourite is Beadnell Bay.

Northumberland coast is glorious but you need to be hardy to live so far north. The view to the Farne islands is wonderful.

Why not stay where you are and move to a smaller place? Southend has good transport. shops, rail services, and sea views!

South Wales? Cardiff Bay or Swansea (cheap as chips) and bloody gorgeous. Plenty to do, excellent links, friendly people and no shortage of choirs to join.