The Right Time To Move

Go for it,, being miserable without your kids/ grandkids isn’t worth where you live. I’d live in a rabbit hutch to be near my family... it’s all that matters. Again.... go for it

As has been referred to, first and foremost will your equity release raise its head when you move?
Plus sometimes children move on. Leaving old friends and all you know is sometimes daunting.
We didn’t move, my roots were too deep. Plus when the other died, would the one left be ok with this.

What a lovely and genuine post, asking for advice. And what great advice has been given. I do hope you find the right new home closer to your daughter and wish you both the very best. Good luck!

Why ask GNers their thoughts on a life changing subject?
This is a de idiom only you can make so what we think is of no consequence.
Your post clearky shows that you have made up your mind to move, anyway.

de idiom decision.

clearky clearly

I think, if people read the OP properly, that they would realise she mentioned moving to another COUNTY not country to be near her daughter. Her daughter lives in another county.
Three stepchildren live abroad.

I think it's quite reasonable for someone to ask advice on a forum such as this as it can help them to clarify things in their own mind. What I find very frustrating is that posters don't read the whole thread but just a couple of the later replies and repeat the same stuff ad nauseum. If reckon if you can't be bothered to read the whole post, however long, don't bother to post.

GabriellaG54, I think it's quite a good idea to use a forum like GN to get the views of others.

Yes, it sounds like the OP has thought it through but I think with any big decision it's easy to have nagging doubts. Other posters have sensibly pointed out one or two pitfalls/things to think about and offered encouragement.

I think I am reasonably decisive but always welcome the views of others when I have a big plan.

I

Day6
I see your point but still think to ask the views of strangers on such a subject, is strange, akin to asking whether one should buy a certain house.
I would think it more appropriate to ask known friends and family, if anyone.

You're right, County! silly us.?

Your plan seems ideal, and most people seem to agree that it's a good idea. Remember, though, when choosing a new home, that you may not always be able to drive. My friends bought a lovely house, then after some years the husband died. She couldn't drive, and was also suffering with some mobility problems by then. She had great difficulty in walking the half mile to the nearest bus stop, and getting about became a real problem.
I also foresee similar problems for myself at some point. I'm a widow, and very mobile until recently. Now osteo arthritis is setting in, and I know that if I have to stop driving life is going to be difficult. I will probably have to think about a house move myself, before too long.
Whatever your decision, may I wish you 'all the best'.

greengran, you do it too, don`t delay. I am almost at exchange and the whole process is very very stressful, starting with where exactly you want to live. Not just accessible to family but somwhere you access buses at the very least. It is not just the move but the clearing, de-cluttering, downsizing. OP is at a good age to get cracking on this. So far it has taken over a year out of my life, taken my energy. Starting with the finding a home process, giving up on the big garden and so on. The adapting is not just about the house but finding a good compromise

Nanaplenty have you looked on Rightmove etc to see how much you need to pay for an acceptable property in your daughter's area? I'm just wondering how much money you will actually free-up after estate agents, solicitors, surveyors, stamp duty, removal costs and paying back the equity you've already borrowed.

You husband is 66 and presumably you're around the same age, so any money will hopefully have to last a long time. Unless your current bungalow is on Sandbanks I'm not sure you'll have enough to be making many visits abroad to see the step-children.

Like many people on here I have half an eye on downsizing to release money but the sums don't work out, if I want to live in a decent and convenient location, that suits my lifestyle. I'm always on the lookout though!

FarNorth I read your post, not sure anyone else did it is not possible to give general advice on how much it costs because most of the costs depend on how much your home and you new home are worth. However you can calculate stamp duty on the government website and I think Which? probably has a rough guide to what solicitors' costs will be. Estate agents and solicitors will always give free quotation and I think I looked on the BAR website for removal costs. Hope that helps.

craftyone You are so right. Moving is one of the most stressful things you can do and it makes sense to do so before you become too frail or ill, and it's not easy doing so alone. At least light is at the end of the tunnel for you and hope your house soon sells.

Thank you, Nonnie.
As many people were urging that sums should be done, I wondered how to get an idea of the figures for the sums without actually getting involved in the process.
Thanks again.

Sounds a good idea in theory. But you will need to get a statement to see how much you owe the equity release company. The compound interest racks up really quickly apparently. I hope you have enough unallocated equity left in your property to make the move.