If you retired this week where would you move to in the UK (South maybe).

[MonumentalLentil]

Would you want peace and quiet? Coast? Busy town?
North, South?
I am particularly interested in places which are quiet, but with shops, vets etc. but if you have any better suggestions please go ahead and suggest.

No schools needed - unlike most of the where shall I live threads on here.

(I am not actually retiring this week but wishful thinking and looking ahead with hope, and South would be easier and closer to family).

Nice to know you are all settled and not going to retire.
It crossed my mind that people might think I was a lazy journo. I'm not, have been here for years on & off, fancied a new name, looks as if it was a mistake to use it though.

I think its just that you have asked a tricky question!

I would probably choose Winchester as it’s near coast and New Forest but also a smart town with enough arty stuff going on.

Or possibly Folkestone.

Not south at all but possibly North Berwick. Lovely place, on the beach, great places to eat.
DH would like to move to the north highlands of Scotland where is family are from, but realistnot a great idea when you are older, very isolated.

Bath

I'm near bournemouth and it's not quiet now all the Londoners have moved here, plus all the retired people in the numerous retirement flats.

I want to move away, probably to the Isle of Wight but can't whilst my kids still live at home.

Being realistic? Winchester
Day dreaming? Scilly Isles

I liked Bournemouth, but only to visit, it was always full of drunk students at night. Shops used to be good but the ones I liked closed. I never really saw any older people there though, unless they are further along the coast?

Would settle for a smaller town, in fact I think I would prefer it, as long as it had what I need.

I don't know Winchester, New Forest is nice but seems a bit remote and small villagey, or am I wrong?

"Nice to know you are all settled and not going to retire.
It crossed my mind that people might think I was a lazy journo. I'm not, have been here for years on & off, fancied a new name, looks as if it was a mistake to use it though."

Crikey erm, yes, stay down south. Lizard point?

I'd love to be near the sea so it's a toss up between a South Devon village or somewhere near Brighton.
There was a thread recently on retiring to central London, I quite fancy that too but I think better to have a small flat in London for staying over weekends and another home somewhere else.
Something amazing will have to happen to fund all this.

Bath.
I'd go tomorrow.
Failing that, Canterbury.

Winchester is great and not at all small villagey. Have you got any budget constraints? - It is very expensive. I'm not sure if this is down south, but it is south of me, so I think Cirencester would fit the bill or one of the other villages or towns in the Cotswolds. Possibly Stroud because its a nice size, in beautiful countryside and has a hospital which could be handy as you're getting older. On the other hand I think it would be great to be in a city with lots of amenities, good public transport and things going on - in which case Oxford if I had the money for somewhere centralish.

Depends on budget tbh.

I love Deal in the Kent coast, love Winchester.

Love the North (north north) too

We will retire to the Suffolk or Norfolk coast. Probably Suffolk because although the North Norfolk coast is beautiful a lot of the villages are remote and easy access to hospitals are trickier (something to consider if you plan to move somewhere til you're ancient!)

My retirement involves a village hall, a pub within walking distance and lots of open space for dog walking. I have always lived by the sea and can't imagine not.

Stay where you are when you retire. Why would you want somewhere new? If you hate where you live - move now whilst you’re still young enough to enjoy it.

Stroud is lovely. Beautiful area and lot of wonderful walks but also a lively market town with lots going on. It does have a hospital but mostly just a cottage hospital affair so be aware you may need to go to Gloucester or Cheltenham for specialists and A and E.
Maybe one of the local villages with good access into Stroud itself would work for you?

Depends on budget, lifestyle, hobbies etc. South coast small resorts, cities, New Forest, Jurassic coast can be lovely but also £££

*I liked Bournemouth, but only to visit, it was always full of drunk students at night. Shops used to be good but the ones I liked closed. I never really saw any older people there though, unless they are further along the coast?

Would settle for a smaller town, in fact I think I would prefer it, as long as it had what I need.*

Yep bournemouth has gone very downhill, I'm along the coast a bit, christchurch/lymington/new forest, it's smaller towns and old people, though lymington is not as bad.

Loved Canterbury too. Also love Arnside near the Lakes. Harrogate.

So many lovely places if you have the £££££

I’m hoping to retire to the Isle of Wight. Well not retire, don’t want to wait that long, step back and do an easier job and move to the Isle of Wight, hopefully mid to late 50’s.

We live on the south coast anyway so not a huge change.

London.

Norfolk coast

Isle of Wight here. I 'retired' here 5yrs ago. Love it!

That's why I am asking, no way do I want to stay here, If I can find somewhere that is quiet and suitable to be old in I just need to hope it stays that way.

What is it like for medical care, vets etc.?