Would you move away from family and friends to retire?

[DareIask]

Something we've been toying with for a couple of years.

Would love to move to a more rural area (that we know and love) but our family and friends are in our home town.

I'm reasonably sure there will be grandchildren in the equation soon too.

Has anyone done this? I love our home right now and we've been here many many years.. could somewhere else be 'home'?

I would not do this myself. In addition to not being able to visit family for say a cup of tea and a chat (an hour let's say), what are in a town fairly basic and standard things are becoming less available in rural areas or have never been there. Banks, post offices, choice of food retailers and adequate broadband come to mind.

We are toying with the idea of doing the exact opposite.

the exact opposite to the op, that is.

Kind of ..it's a little different for us as DP and I don't yet live together, he is from (and currently lives in) a beautiful area about 200 miles away.

Our plan is that I will move up there permanent in the next 5 years when I semi retire (early 50s). House prices are a fraction of what they are here and it means I'll be able to give my DC a large deposit on a house. I'll also be living in a 4 bed house so ample room for visitors.

When I move eldest DC will be 27, youngest 23. Obviously I'd be more than happy if they wanted to come with me.

I don't have any immediate family or close friends so if I move I wouldn't be losing much. Grandchildren is a possible concern but my DC could end up living anywhere, I'm not convinced they will stay where we are now.

My mil lived half hour away and we could offer a lot of support, and she needed it . My dm lives in Ireland and best will in the world I don’t see her as often as I would want to. Dm could really do with us next W, especially as Df has passed.My kids have seen the difference and don’t want us to be far away

Fully intend to be in Spain in about 4 years time. C,one enough to fly back to the uk in an emergency