decision overwhelm

Also window size and placement (sunrise/sunset) and to ensure daylight where you sit in winter.

(My Dad looking forward to his retirement moved to a lovely cottage but with small windows and in a valley - he realised too late that he couldn’t live with the lack of light)

I agree- this is so important.

I went to an area first, did they have a car park? Was it clean and tidy? Did it have good public toilets? I stopped and spoke to people and only then did I look at other aspects

The people I spoke to were very friendly, there were ample varied shops including butcher, real greengrocer/deli etc. Buses, doctor etc. Ticks for all of that

Then I looked at houses, not keen on the David Wilson type homes but there was an old style small builder and I kept being drawn back. I could see the good quality being built on a small development, handy to walk into town. So now I live on that development, only 12 homes and varied ages, a truly lovely and caring community. I only had two snagging issues and have a cosy home, also very easy to maintain

The size of home suited me, I have a sewing room, spare bedroom and a `wellness` room plus my main bedroom. Lounge and kitchen/diner, utility room and large hall plus a very decent private garden. A garage was very important to me, I have 3 bikes and needed storage for all my diy equipment as well as my workbench

I was not sure about a 70s house before I found my home, had a top notch survey done. Money well spent, I rejected that house.

"I haven't thought about when I get (even) older "

"Gosh you have made some very useful points here that I haven't even considered."

( points offered were location, lay-out, transport, services)

Really?

I moved house just over four months ago. My short list consisted of six properties to view. I had already sold my then current home so the pressure was on.
Arriving early for the viewings I decided to do a tour of the properties prior to viewing.
Five of the six houses proved not to be near shops or other amenities.
Because of this I cancelled the viewings.
The sixth house, which happened to be the house I thought I liked best, turned out to be a few minutes walk to shops, GP surgery, chemist, post office, dentist, fish and chip shop, etc.etc.
Also there's a bus stop very nearly.
It's nine minutes into town by bus.
Within minutes I'm at the community centre where clubs meet and a variety of classes are available.
There is even a Community church service on Sundays.
Location is so important as we age.
Best wishes for your house hunting.

The bus stop is very nearby.....not very nearly 🤣

Aldom

I moved house just over four months ago. My short list consisted of six properties to view. I had already sold my then current home so the pressure was on.
Arriving early for the viewings I decided to do a tour of the properties prior to viewing.
Five of the six houses proved not to be near shops or other amenities.
Because of this I cancelled the viewings.
The sixth house, which happened to be the house I thought I liked best, turned out to be a few minutes walk to shops, GP surgery, chemist, post office, dentist, fish and chip shop, etc.etc.
Also there's a bus stop very nearly.
It's nine minutes into town by bus.
Within minutes I'm at the community centre where clubs meet and a variety of classes are available.
There is even a Community church service on Sundays.
Location is so important as we age.
Best wishes for your house hunting.

Aldom, "touring the area" around the property address can be done ahead of viewing,, from the comfort of home, using google maps and street view. Thanks to the little yellow man you can have a mobile tour on foot. Looking at the real places,

From aerial view you can also spot the nearest school/park/ nightclub/ busy junction/ noisy business premises.

I always use it.

Sago

Last year we sold our big old Victorian home and bought a 3 year old house, it’s not on an estate, we have a large garden overlooking a beautiful Church, the building quality is exceptional.

Our heating bills are less than a third of our previous home and we are warm!

It’s a 4 bed, 3 bathroom house with double garage, we can walk to the doctors, there is a Co op, post office and pub in the village as well as good public transport should we ever need it.

It’s the best thing we ever did.

The house we bought was one we kept dismissing online so my advice is to look at everything.

hazelbeech You haven’t told us much about your position, why are you moving, will you be working and have you sold your current home?

There is so much to consider.

It sounds like you have found a perfect home. Well done.
I'm retired and single. I am moving to be closer to family and out of the city. I crave being closer to the countryside.
After everyone's very supportive comments I looked at (another) doer/upper today (bungalow) with a big garden and decided not to proceed. The garden would be fine, and something I'd love but I nolonger relished the challenge of the amount of work the property itself needed.
I also viewed another (totally different) property and I think I may have found somewhere .... a small cottage that's been beautifully renovated with one adjacent room which needs complete renovation so that would scratch the itch I seem to have about doing some work. The garden is small and NNW facing but it is close to allotments with S/SW/W aspect which is a perfect combination.
With online food shopping and a taxi service I will be able to manage in the future.
I really could not live on an estate with houses cheek by jowl with a postage stamp size garden. I really wish I could - it would make my search a great deal easier!
I am yet to enter into negotiations and making an offer as I am having a 2nd viewing at the end of the week.
I have really appreciated everyone's comments. It truly has made me see my situation differently and from more angles.

I am sstc and hoping to exchange after Easter.

The only downer I ll add is allotments here have years long waiting lists

SynchroSwimmer

Also window size and placement (sunrise/sunset) and to ensure daylight where you sit in winter.

(My Dad looking forward to his retirement moved to a lovely cottage but with small windows and in a valley - he realised too late that he couldn’t live with the lack of light)

Plenty of natural light has been one of my top priorities. Agree, it's so important.

BlueBelle

The only downer I ll add is allotments here have years long waiting lists

My name was added yesterday and I'm 4th on the waiting list if I move into the parish! I couldn't believe my luck. If it takes 18 months that's fine, I'll have plenty to keep me busy.

Sometimes people are happy for you to have a half of their plot as they age.
My friend has taken on half an allotment.

Please don’t forget to look up any future developments. Our lovely village is being forced to have 2500 new houses built on productive farmland. Also public transport, Arriva buses have reduced our half hourly bus service to hourly with no service after 6pm and none on Sundays.

Also doctors, ours is not taking any more patients. Incomers have a long trip to find one.

On-line shopping and a taxi service?

Doesn't sound like anywhere I would move to, but each to their own...

hazelbeech. Wishing you well with your move. Sounds like it’s ticked all the boxes for you. Enjoy your new home. 💐

NotSpaghetti

Sometimes people are happy for you to have a half of their plot as they age.
My friend has taken on half an allotment.

I'll definitely have half an allotment next time, for sure!

keepingquiet

On-line shopping and a taxi service?

Doesn't sound like anywhere I would move to, but each to their own...

Only required if I become frail and inform
I'm far from that! It's a beautiful area.

hazelbeech

keepingquiet

On-line shopping and a taxi service?

Doesn't sound like anywhere I would move to, but each to their own...

Only required if I become frail and inform
I'm far from that! It's a beautiful area.

Online shopping and grocery deliveries can be invaluable if, for any reason, you are unable to visit the shops.

Taxis are not abundant round here but could be useful if you find you can no longer drive for any reason.

We never know what is waiting for us around that corner, keepingquiet.

Wyllow3

Unless you are a younger gransnetter, choose the one easiest to look after as you get older and least needing doing and an easy manage garden. Think of what you might need when you are less able. think of what is nicest if you spend quite a bit of time in your home not abut and about.

Think - supposing I cant drive anymore, which is best. (local shop? Nice cafe? good buses? )

I agree x

Cossy

Wyllow3

Unless you are a younger gransnetter, choose the one easiest to look after as you get older and least needing doing and an easy manage garden. Think of what you might need when you are less able. think of what is nicest if you spend quite a bit of time in your home not abut and about.

Think - supposing I cant drive anymore, which is best. (local shop? Nice cafe? good buses? )

I agree x

Yes.

We watched Escape to the Country today, an older (but not elderly) couple although, I think, she had had a hip operation.
One of the houses they chose for them to view had beautiful views but, of course, was on a hillside with a lot of steps.

Not practical for the future.

Good luck and I hope it works out.

I would just add one word of caution, health and situations can change in a blink of an eye so please do think about this, however we already have our food shopping delivered weekly, topping up with fresh stuff when needed and I’d have no issue with taxis or buses.

SynchroSwimmer

Also window size and placement (sunrise/sunset) and to ensure daylight where you sit in winter.

(My Dad looking forward to his retirement moved to a lovely cottage but with small windows and in a valley - he realised too late that he couldn’t live with the lack of light)

This might be the deal breaker :0(
It literally has everything, even a view which I'd given up on, but I will never get the sun beaming into a room, even for a short while.
I've tried to convince myself installing a skylight would suffice but I'm not sure.
I might post a separate thread.

Which area, I will come with you , I want to move to saint Anne's on sea lancs, but I too have no support it's scary on your own

Yes future proofing now are good suggestions. This house bought 13 years ago looked good for doctors dentists shops schools (for onward selling!) bus stops nice kept properties around. It also had straight up and down stairs which I didn’t give a thought to 13 years ago. But then an unexpected illness meant a stair lift and straight up and down stairs proved to be a godsend because a stairlift was easy to install and cheaper than those needed for staircases that twist or curve. Also look for a garage for storage that’s not needed indoors, or a good sized garden that could accommodate a proper shed. I love my shed and keep the garage for proper storage stuff. Good luck with the hunting. Do please find someone to go with you if you possibly can.