My parents want to up sticks and move - if I tell you what they want will you tell me where they should live?

[IHeartKingThistle]

They have lived with the same villagers and neighbours and local gossip all their lives and have recently decided they won't live out their days there and that they want an adventure. Which is amazing, but they're not sure where they want to go.

They are both in their 60s, doing well, both retired. They have a campervan and dogs. Both have creative hobbies outside the home and my dad has to have a garden. They want the sea, or a view of the sea, and places to explore, and peace and quiet, but also people

Currently they live in the South West, have a nice house to sell but it won't fetch megabucks.

We're in the SE and coming near us I don't think will be an option sadly due to house prices.

They're considering Wales or anywhere where they can get a nice place with a garden and room for chickens and dogs near the sea. My siblings and I are all over the country and they have nothing tying them to their village since the last of our grandparents died.

Their plan sounds lovely - but where is this place? Also, where is it not? Worried they'll end up in a seaside town with a gang problem if they're not canny!

Hope I've painted a good picture of the kind of people they are! Any suggestions gratefully received!

My DC are FURIOUS at the plan BTW

mamimawr has raised an important point, I think. My parents moved to Australia in their 60s leaving the village they both grew up in. My sister lives in their new Australian city but she stressed to them the importance of getting out to meet people and that she'd be doing her own thing. Ten years on they have not managed to create a friendship network and they aren't getting on. They are completely isolated in their seventies and Mum is drinking heavily. I'm sure your parents are more sociable OP and of course it may work out as a fantastic adventure for them.

www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/55810346?search_identifier=6abd8838804ff6d36ddf6d58e7412eed
The Solway coast in Dumfries and Galloway is lovely - with little villages like Rockcliffe and Kippford.
Or North Berwick -Which is in easy striking distance of Edinburgh

I know, I'm worried about those things too! My mum is insanely sociable but my dad not so much. I do worry they have never experienced life outside a community where everyone knows them and who their parents and grandparents were. But they say that's what they want to get away from.

They are very anti the Isle of Wight, no idea why! I love it there!

I'd suggest that they do not sell and let their house out and use the income to rent somewhere like Northumberland. Then if it works great and they can sell and buy. If it doesn't they can move back home. It sounds a bit like grass is greener syndrome and it could all go tits up so to speak.

@Sciencebabe
Very cheap houses? 🤣🤣🤣🤣

iheart my two went around and told everyone that they (other villagers) were living in a dump and that they were off to paradise in the sun. My father is sociable but my mum isn't and she won't go anywhere. Effectively he's her carer. I'd say your parents are probably more stable in terms of relationship and socialising.

Bardsea - relatively cheap, friendly locals, sea and many adventures for them and their dogs with The Lakes on their doorstep.

They did buy a flat at home and that's let out but I don't think they'll come back.

I was going to say IOW but then saw they dislike the idea.
Suffolk Coast- Aldeburgh or Southwold maybe.
New forest - Lymington, Mudeford area maybe
Eastbourne might be cheaper than some of south east.

Pembrokeshire is beautiful but a very long drive from south east.

My best friend and my parents both relocated in their 60s.

Mine moved to the City, close to my sister and I. Park on their door step, shops etc. They are in good health and in their seventies. There are doctors and chemists and shops andBars and restaurants within easy walking distance. A bus runs from The end of their street and before lock down they were never home. My sister and I can walk to their house and they can see their grandchildren’s school from their garden. It was a big relocation, but they are so much happier.

My friends parents moved to a beautiful part of the Northern Ireland east cost, outside coleraine. It is amazing, I have been over to visit. But it is isolated, no Shops or doctors near, everything is a twenty minute cr journey at least. Their health is starting to fail, they can’t drive anymore and they are trapped in the house. No family close by and relying on neighbours.

I know it Sounds depressing but make sure they plan for the inevitable health issues - make sure they move somewhere that they can cope without a car, where they can access essential services easily and where one of them can live alone okay.

Sorry to be so sensible, but in my group parents health is starting to fail.

@Londonmummy66

I'd suggest that they do not sell and let their house out and use the income to rent somewhere like Northumberland. Then if it works great and they can sell and buy. If it doesn't they can move back home. It sounds a bit like grass is greener syndrome and it could all go tits up so to speak.

I agree with Londonmummy66, do they holiday much OP? Maybe the just need to travel a bit, motorhome or even a narrowboat for a year, have a look about themselves and get a feel then make a decision after that.

The west coast of the Wirral peninsula. I live there and won't leave! And it is no myth that Northerners are friendly.

You haven't said what sort of budget they have. That would help narrow it down.

Yes, budget is needed really.
Newton beach Porthcawl is great, year round dog friendly beach. 2 pubs, church, handful of shops in the village. They’ll need around £500k to be near the sea though. They could go more in land and just take their camper van to the beach. Not sure what Porthcawl town is like.
Ogmore by sea Bridgend £250k ish less if you aren’t so near the sea.
Pembrokeshire...

Whereabouts in the south west are they now? I'd stay there, but move nearer the sea. That way they can have a new adventure but still be within easy reach of any old friends.

How big a place do they want to live in? Another village? Town?

I'm biased .... what about Wiltshire? Glorious countryside lots to do here. But near larger places such as Bath, Salisbury, swindon and London is just over an hour away....

Anywhere from north of Scarborough up the north Yorkshire coast to Scotland.

We have relocated to SW Scotland and I love it, we have so much to explore etc although weather isn't as great as the South.

Why are the DC furious, sorry..... It intrigues me.

THEY CAN'T MOVE! WE LOVE THEIR HOUSE! IT WON'T BE THE SAAAAAME!

etc etc

Bugger Englandshire, come up to the Borders

I hear your dc though, my parents are in the process of fecking off to Europe, I'll never go 'home' again in my life I think when they leave. That spot on the beach i spent many teen days reflecting and crying on, never again. It's sad!

I suspect your parents would actually hate to move really

Filey, lovely none commercialised, only one amusement arcade, slow, gentle paced, not full of yobs & loud pubs. Loads of bungalows with enough room to keep their chickens & lots of walks for their dogs.