Retiring to a City or the Country?

[GreenBeanMcGee]

Which would you choose to retire to? Or indeed the Suburbs.

I'm in my 30s so retirement is a long way off but I was discussing this with a friend and personally I think I'd probably choose to retire to a major city. The reason being ease of access to Doctor/Dentist/And other care providers. Also shops being close by as well as theatres and museums. Also better public transport.

I don't think there's a right or wrong answer as we're all so different but what would you choose?

I'd go for a large market town or small city. I grew up in a village and while they are lovely, you're very reliant on cars. What might be possible in terms of driving at 70, might not be possible at 90.

Like you I'd want to have easy to use public transport near by

I agree. If I ever get to retire, it will be to a city.

My grandparents moved to a housing estate surrounded by countryside. Lovely when they first moved in their 60s. Nightmare from their 80s to 90s.

City. I'd want to be within walking distance of shops, a pharmacy, some sort of community space and a doctor's surgery, and be on a direct and frequent bus route to leisure activities, a railway station and a hospital.

I already live somewhere that meets those criteria, and I'd be happy to stay in my current home when I retire.

I'd aim for somewhere with good public transport. I've got 3 Grandparents in the late 80's still living. The Grandma who lives by the bus stop has a much better quality of life than the Grandparents who live on the edge of a city but with no bus route.

My cousins retired to the country, but then about 10 years later, moved to a market town while still active enough for it to be a choice rather than forced, where they are so isolated in bad winter weather.

My parents aren't that rural but seeing how difficult it is for them to get healthcare now they're both infirm/very unwell has really made it clear to me that suburbs with good public transport and easy access to health services is more sensible than the countryside idyll...even though the countryside is far more "me".

Id want urban enough to get to facilities but quiet enough not to be too disturbed.

The amount of older people I’ve met in work capacity that have very limited lives because they are isolated rurally is really sad. Often moved down to live the retirement dream in a house that is difficult to adapt, partner who was the driver passed away and family don’t visit as often as they would like is really sad.

Well resourced market town. Ours has cottage hospital, dentist with big NHS caseload, pharmacy with consultation room, regular bus to the bigger town nearby and tonnes of activities aimed at older folk.

I currently live in the suburbs and I moved here because of my children. We craved a big back garden and great schools and so many activities for a younger family.

Husband and I are waiting for our youngest to finish university and find her first professional job (fingers crossed in two years) and we are leaving the suburbs for good and returning to the city.

I would hate to be dependent on a car when I'm older and I'd appreciate being close to amenities that I can't get in the suburbs or the country.

I’m hoping we’ve identified a good spot:
On the edge of a national park and by the sea
Small town, with amenities and useful shops, banks etc and plenty of community stuff going on.
Train to nearby large towns for culture, shopping, sports, hospitals etc
Quiet neighbourhood walking distance to post office and shop

I would prefer a house in London, one in Norfolk and another in the Scottish Highlands.

I want both - a flat in central London and a cottage on the south coast. I need to earn a lot of money in the next twenty years....

I had a bit of a daydream the other day of living in Central London when I retire, within walking/cab distance of all the theatres, galleries, museums etc.

If I was single I would choose a city as long as I had a garden. As part of a couple I would choose rural for a bit more space and peace.

I've always been a city person, and my immediate thought was a city.

But actually I want more rest time, more peace and quiet, and more space (indoor and out).

So would end up in the country I think.

Probably here (and quickly get rid of the purple)

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/110031149

I’d like to move back to the large village near the sea that I grew up in. DH would too (he holidayed there as a child).

Realistically though it’s tricky. Health care in that area is getting worse.

Maybe we’ll save up enough to buy a flat in the Barbican as well as a house there

Market Town or small historic city within waking distance to main shops/ supermarket/ restaurants etc. Things to do.

Preferably On a bus route and near a train station and motorway.

Avoid the suburbs- very isolating. Nice village with a few services would be ok. Not rural so need a 20 min drive to get milk. Not a huge city either with congestion 24/7.

@SkepticalCat

I had a bit of a daydream the other day of living in Central London when I retire, within walking/cab distance of all the theatres, galleries, museums etc.

This is my dream - I want to spend my week days bombing around the West End on a Vespa (I've always wanted one), watching shows and eating in nice restaurants; and my weekends gardening and entertaining friends in my coastal cottage. Again, I'm going to need a much bigger pension than I currently have...

I want a silver Vespa and a pink helmet. 😍

Love this thread.