Where would you like to live when you retire?

[Echobelly]

Having seen what life is like for elderly relatives, I reckon I'll want to make sure I live somewhere on or near a lively high street. Screw quiet and leafy, if I'm not going to be able to drive and/or not very mobile for years I'll wanted to be within shuffling distance of a number of shops and services so I'm not stranded in my home.

Berlin or Luxembourg

Where I live now! (Kent coast) 5 minutes walk to the beach. Love it through all the different seasons not just Summer.

Central London - Barbican would be amazing but I'd settle for a little Zone 1 mews flat somewhere...

Carmel, California. Heaven on earth.

New Zealand, South Island. Most probably back to Christchurch.

The Barbican would be perfect, if I won big on the lottery.

In the real world, we moved to the market town we live in because it was great for our child and for retirees. Great doctors, hospital, theatre, shops, pool, nice walks, nice restaurants, cinema - we see older people having a great life here.

I'm planning on staying in our current house (rural, but great supportive community), but wintering on the Gulf Coast of Florida.

Central London (but not the Barbican - hate the place). But DH wants greenery so we'll end up in one of the home counties.

@Disfordarkchocolate - would you mind PM-ing me where you live please? That's the sort of market town we're looking for.

By the coast somewhere. Lots of beaches and green spaces to walk in. Want to be in a village or small town with a lots local community activities going on. A nice local pub with a real fire. A decent bus or train service.

French Alps

Somewhere warm! By a beach.

I think we’ll have our main house in the South Downs, near Chichester and a London pad. Would love another home in Puerto Banus too but it seems a bit expensive and stressful to run 3 properties.

I already live in my ideal retirement spot and am actually retired. Lovely small university town by the sea. House in a semi rural location on the edge of town along with my DH and my Labrador. Living the dream!

Planning on Spain

The Algarve. Sunshine and the sea

Cyprus, my second home!

I also hate the Barbican @milliefiori !

I would like to end up in Rutland maybe, or the west country

Its funny you say that op, I live in a small town with a small high street, a butcher, a Timpson, a Boots, the doctor, the pharmacy, a community centre, some charity shops, couple of coffe shops, library, two supermarkets, a couple of nice pubs, a small community theatre and a leisure centre a bus ride away.

Tonnes of bungalow properties near the town and average age is well over 50. On a mainline commuter line. I may never need to leave!!

The Villages of course.

We'll retire where we are now. Northumberland coast, the village has all the facilities, the buses are regular and there's a kebab shop.

I find the concept of moving somewhere completely new when retired a bit strange. I can't imaging wanting to establish a completely new friendship group and start afresh at retirement (which for me is probably going to be pretty old!)
I'll probably stay in the same local area, but as OP says, move to be within walking distance of shops and transport.

But Ecuador does sound nice!

We’re in West Sussex, close to the beach, shops, garage etc within walking distance, bus stop across the road that will take me to a town where there are good links to Southampton, Brighton and London.

If we move again, it will have to be somewhere with the same amenities nearby.

Carmel, California. Heaven on earth

Absolutely agree.

I want to live near but not too near to my children so I can see grandchildren (Still a way off as my children are not at that age yet) without having to stay overnight with them... ideally near shops / restaurants so I can go out without having to drive... In my dreams this would be near a beach