Relocating after 30 years

In October we made a move identical almost to the one you describe , right down to location.

We left behind 2 daughters and their families including 4 grandchildren.

Best decision ever!!

We love the area, live in a village with a doctors, bakers, butchers etc. 25 mins to Norwich. Great value property compared from where we came from. We see less 30 min pop ins from our family , but in actual fact have seen them far more than when we lived 15 mins away. The trip is 1.45 hrs so very do able .

We are really enjoying our retirement and can’t recommend it too highly. You will need to make efforts to maintain relationships but for us it’s worked really well.

Him m m! All I can offer is our situation; almost 14 years ago, and definitely not part of our long term retirement plan, we moved from a city to a relatively small market town, in order to support our daughter and 2 small grandchildren. Usual tale, husband left, but in this case went back to Mum! Instead of Mum saying ‘Get yourself back there boy and sort it’ her response was more ‘Oh, my boy, Mummys here, there, there!
All I can say is, ‘this was never part of our grand plan’, but we wouldn’t have it any other way! Because we’ve played such a huge part in our grandchildren ‘s lives we have the most amazing relationship with them and this is something that we can’t put a price on.
They too have benefited, they’re brilliant with my husband, their Grampa, who now has Vascular Dementia, so they have learnt skills that they may not be aware of.
Keep all of the lines of communication open , listen, digest before you comment, but more importantly, be there for their way , not yours.
From experience I would live anywhere and anyway if it meant having the wonderful relationship we have with our lovely grandchildren.
Think carefully!

We moved from Surrey to Norfolk (5 miles out of Norwich) 9 years ago and still feel thrilled about living so close to real countryside and a wonderful city.
My daughter is here and son is in Scotland, I hated having to choose, but Norfolk won because we loved the wide open spaces. Even if sons/daughters are close by now, there’s no guarantee the won’t move away with jobs etc. so it’s really important to be where you feel happiest

I felt very guilty for moving from our London home of 28yrs 3 years ago to the country 2 1/2 hours away. One son was living with his girlfriend there but the other was still living with usome aged 27. Ďespite a year of telling him we were moving he didn't make arrangements and we had to make him homeless on thè day we moved. He sofa surfed for 3 months till he found a home. He is now married and looking for a larger house to buy. Best thing we ever did for him.! Both couples come for a weekend every 2-3 month or so and friènds and family stay too. If g c's come along we might want to move back but for now life is great as we have quality time now instead of quick visits. All you can do is take a deep breath and jump! Good luck

Thank you everyone who commented for sharing your experience, including words of caution and positive stories of your own moves.
This has been so helpful as my husband and I made a list of everything we think is important in terms of area and house.
We have found a good house in a nice area, close to shops, pubs and hospitals ? and have spoken to all our AC who understand and support us. So hopefully a new lease of life!

Welcome Home!

Wishing you all the best for your future ?

Hope you will be very happy in Norwich!