Where to retire to

[countrygirl99]

We will both retire in about 4 years. Neither of our children live locally so we aren't tied to this area long term. Plan is to downsize and free up some cash should we need help/care as we age. We are currently being run ragged by 4 parents who aren't local but need a lot of help but won't admit it and we have no intention of doing that to our DC. Ideal location would be a smallish market town surrounded by nice countryside. We don't like the fens, too flat for our taste, would prefer something more up and down but doesn't need to be mountainous. Hobbies are horseriding (though won't replace my elderly gelding), flyball, walking and bird watching. We like good restaurants. We would like to plan a few trips to suitable areas before focusing on 1 or 2.
Any suggestions? Budget would be around £400k for 3 bed.

Monmouth, Ross on Wye, Chepstow. Some of the villages around Cheltenham (Cheltenham itself is lovely but pricey).

That's an area on our possibility list. We've had a few holidays and weekends in the Herefordshire/ Powys border/Shropshire area and love it.

Consider how far away you want to be from various amenities, particularly healthcare..........local transport network..............shops. Visiting an area and living there are very different realities.

Came on to say Shropshire/Powys border but you beat me to it.
I retired there ( but have since relocated again to Scotland).
Transport links are quite poor though. Beautiful part of the country.

By far the most important thing is being on a good regular sustainable bus route,
and near hospital, chemist and GP. My parents between them visit one of these places every day. You won't be driving forever. Good WiFi networks, and near the supermarket also good.

Granllanog that's why we want to give it a few years consideration - plenty of time for decent research. It's also why we are looking at a small town rather than a village, much as we love village life where we are. We love North Norfolk but those considerations are big downsides there. Definitely don't want a city though.

What I'm looking for is suggestions for places. Dealing with 4 olds I'm pretty clued up on what is needed practically, it's where to find it.

Oswestry? You’ll get a lot for your money there.

Stroud, Frome, Bradford Upon Avon.
Or Bridport/ West Bay

My aunt is in a similar position she lives in London with her partner and wants to retire to the country she keeps having weekends away her shortlist is

Sleights or Filey near Whitby
Lincolnshire in a village somewhere
The Lake District

Love Dorset but wonder how far yhe budget would stretch. Also love the Yorkshire coast, DH could certainly indulge his bird photography passion there.

Dorchester!! - here's a an idea of what you can get for £400k ish
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/113894288#/?channel=RES_BUY
:D

Sorry, not my sort of thing I want a garden - love my outdoor space and we have 2 dogs.

Lewes or Rye?

Interesting that the suggestions are mostly areas we already have as ideas. Suggests we aren't likely to be missing any gems 😊

Devizes or Pewsey.

I think Lewes would be a stretch on £400k, ditto Rye. And both eventually going to be underwater – seek higher ground! Nottinghamshire? Somewhere near Sheffield?

Skipton is lovely (the villages around are pricey though) - calendar girls filmed there, I think Rylstone

Some good places in Derbyshire- loved Bakewell (market really good) - went to Chatsworth lots, it's really good - you can get a yearly pass - we took the dogs, was fab. If I lived there I'd be there all the time.

Tring, Hertfordshire, plenty of birdwatching available at the nearby Tring Reservoirs, wonderful hacking locally in the Chilterns, 30 minutes from the Euston by train, many positives.

Budget may be a wee bit tight, but possible

Bakewell? It's heaving with tourists in the summer, parking is impossible etc. I speak as a tourist ...

This thread might contain some useful info OP.
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/property/4345490-Where-should-I-relocate-to-I-need-your-help-please-read-the-post-to-understand-better-TIA

Crickhowell or Abergavenny? Abergavenny has the bigger shops (Waitrose!), hospital and train station; Crickhowell more independent shops and small town atmosphere. Great countryside and lots of choice for eating out round there.

hello, you will get some good replies if you go onto gransnet. Lots of helpful people there as well, an more likely in your situation, even if you are not yet a grandparent.

Thanks. No, not a gran yet. DS1s partner can't have children and DS2 lives abroad.

Stamford is lovely, also Chester though maybe too big? Are you just looking in England?