Anyone moved to London in their 50s and loved it?

But there are plenty of nice places outside the banana - London is Big!

I'm in the banana!

I’m in London too but we are mulling a move more centrally and this sounds amazing ! Just the kind of vibrant life we would want at 54

My aunt, 70's just bought a little flat over looking the thames. It's such a safe area, really clean... she loves it. pops over to the Tate, takes the water taxis... talks to people all the time. If she lived in a cottage int he country she would just get old and die lonely

Only if you live in the london banana:

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/london-banana-house-prices-b1245819.html

As a Londoner, I moved back, in my 50's, to a London suburb, after some years in a Sussex village (oh, God.,,😳😳😳😳).

I love being back. 👍🍾🥂

50 was old when we used to afford to retire at that age... these days people in the 70s are planning their retirement lives in a totally different country, let alone moving to London. If you want to move, move. Why regret it?

I can definitely see the appeal of moving to a city, not necessarily London, when you get older. I'm 60 next month and once dd3 leaves home (she's 17) I'm thinking of upping sticks and moving somewhere livelier with better public transport.

Definitely would. Our parents were Londoners who moved out so we have always gone back to see family. One DD now lives there and the other commutes there for work. Ideally we’d be somewhere in a leafy outskirt so we could get in easily but also have the benefits of green spaces and countryside. But that costs £££

I'm older than you, live in what I imagine most people would call a sketchy part of London and love it. But you need to be realistic about prices - you won't get a one bedroom flat anywhere for less than £250,000 and anywhere 'nice' you can add a £100k minimum to that. But if your budget allows, go for it!

We are less than an hour out of London on a fast train. I've enjoyed visiting much more since getting my senior railcard.

My bro moved out of London in his 50s after living there since uni. He didn't regret it, but I've always felt that I wouldn't have done that

Those are two extremes though, there are plenty of nice flats in leafy areas with shares of gardens from zone 3 outwards - lots of SE London is leafy and reasonably affordable if you're happy with a false

I know someone who moved from the Lake District to London after they retired in their early 60s!

Still loving it 10 years later

Rent out your place and rent for a year to see if it works, but worth giving it a go

As a general point I think moving into an urban centre is a good idea for the last chapters of life - much easier for transport, making friends, getting out

I am in London in my 50s and while I love seeing family in the country and friends in smaller cities I can't see me moving.

I’m 55 and live in E1 right on the boundary of zone 1 (so Spitalfields). I don’t think MN would call it a naice area as it’s a real mix of urban grit, Bangladeshis, bankers, creatives, students and hipsters. But I love it! There’s always something going on and it’s walkable to all of central London. I own my flat in a lovely gated development with gardens and fountains and I know most of my neighbours as it’s a real community. Everyone who visits is always surprised how friendly everyone is here and also what an “oasis of calm’ it is (compared to the madness outside lol).

My 60-something cousins came to visit (from the NW) recently and they were blown away by what a great place it is to live. Over the years I’ve had so many (well-meaning) digs from my family (and school friends) about me living in London so it was lovely to see some of them understand why I’m here. Not just understand even, they wished they could move here after experiencing it! They loved that we could walk to the Tower of London (as a local resident it only costs me £1 for a ticket), Sky Garden, Borough Market, St Paul’s etc and the quality of food and coffee just blew their minds. I’m lucky that I live so centrally (I can walk to work in 20 mins) and that I’ve paid my mortgage off but there are plenty of people living near me with low incomes and they seem to manage just fine. London is great for free events and things to do.

Barratt Homes give key workers 5% of house cost as a deposit!

I wouldn't but then I'm an introvert and dislike crowds. I'd love to live in a very rural area without many people, just lots of countryside. That is the dream. But im pretty happy on the coast where I am.

Would you buy or rent!

We did the second our last child went to uni. Best decision ever, wake up happy every day. We’re in zone 2/3 in a very nice area with loads of amenities and a hospital 4 minutes drive away.

There is SO MUCH that is free or stupidly cheap. I’m still under 60 so I’m paying for buses but it’s £1.75 for me to get a bus to the South Bank.

London is the best place to be low waged in my opinion if you’ve managed to buy a flat as everything else is cheaper. My council tax is second lowest in country - think it’s £130.

I know several people who moved there on retirement, all to Zone 1/2.i think it’s an excellent plan and would consider it when older.

Yes me! My children are in their twenties and I went through a quite awful, drawn-out divorce. I met someone and we’re renting in North London. I just went for it - massively downsized and sent about 2/3 my possessions to charity (including furniture). My children were incredible - so supportive of my new life. I love it!

I’m 50 next year and it’s something I’ve been considering. I grew up in west London and my Dad still lives in the house I grew up in. I’ve been living in rural areas away from London most of my adult life but I’m finding I’m enjoying the vibe of London more and more when I go home to visit Dad. My children are pretty much grown. My youngest has just started college so it is something I might consider once she finishes education and can move where she wants. My children can’t see the appeal of the city though lol.

I’d love to do this. I think it depends how much you have to spend on a property though. Whilst you can probably live (relatively) frugally in London with good transport, lots of free activities etc the housing costs are brutal.

A friend moved here from the NW in her late-50s after retiring from teaching, partly to help with childcare and wanting a change of scene post-divorce.

She loves it here and like me makes the most of city living - it really is a great place to be older!

A friend moved here from the NW in her late-50s after retiring from teaching, partly to help with childcare and wanting a change of scene post-divorce.

She loves it here and like me makes the most of city living - it really is a great place to be older!

I think it's a great idea, as others have said, loads of free stuff to do, good teaching hospitals. You could find a good two bedroom flat near public transport in a nice area if you don't mind being a bit further out. What's your budget?