Looking for somewhere new to retire to

[kfl]

I am looking to move house in the next 18 months. I have decided to relocate and start this new chapter somewhere fresh.

Can anyone help me decide where to move to, please. My criteria are:

picturesque
not too far from the sea
not to far from a major city
good healthcare nearby
smallish, friendly community

I'm happy to look anywhere. The country is my oyster.

Weird questions. Do you live in a lovely place people retire to? Do you think everyone should stay in the cities where they worked after they retire? Where would all the young working people live if they did that?

Lymington New Forest is lovely.

the Moray Coast ( hospital in Elgin major hospital is Aberdeen 90 minutes away) and Fife near Dundee and Edinburgh are by the coast and pretty dry and sunny as on east of Scotland no midges but not as hot as the South this summer was nearer 25 in heat waves not 35

As a retiree of some years, I would advise you to make sure your new abode is future "proofable!", is near public transport and within walking distance of life. You may be driving around fine right now, but no one knows what's in the future. Just saying.

I didn't move when I retired as I have everything I need here, including the above and I did future proof this house a couple of years before retirement. I have everything at my doorstep but live in a quiet cul de sac with a big park at the back, so while it's a lively area it looks rural from the bedroom window lol.😊

I know we can get everything delivered to the door these days, but getting out and about is very important in the event that driving is not that easy anymore. Hence the local bus/tram/train.

Others will advise on areas that meet your criteria. I don't blame you wanting to move away from Ex and mistress. Run!

Newcastle. Great hospitals (better north of Tyne), culture, shops, parks, Northumberland national park and beaches on doorstep. Well connected to airport and east coast main line. You’ll get more for your money property wise.

I think it might be fun to research a few areas then go on a few visits. I agree with pp who said try not to go to rural. As you age you might need to be in walking distance of shops, post office and chemist. You'll need bus routes into town or city for GP and hospital and I'd also avoid hilly areas and lots of steps too. Try to age proof an area.

I'd go to the North East outside Newcastle - great transport links with the east coast main line, Northumberland on your doorstep, good public transport, relatively affordable house prices, easy links the areas you mention for family/friends, and an international airport.

Stonehaven near Aberdeen.

Social connections are hugely important in retirement, especially if you’re single. You can build those if you move to an area you have no links, but it’s hard. Much easier to retain the local friends you already have.

Also too many retired people moving to an area can cause problems - pressure on GPs, schools closing, lack of available workers, shortages of domestic care. Lots of attractive rural villages, especially in the SE, experience this. The healthiest communities have a real mix of ages. Don’t move somewhere where everyone else is the same age as you!

With respect, I get where you're coming from, but have you looked at the prices lately? Topsham is not as expensive as it was.
It's a buyer's market. We're not in Topsham - but nearby - a house has just sold on our road for £90,000 under market value (3 sold last year for full market value).
I think Topsham would offer the harbour, many beaches within 20/25 mins drive (Exmouth, Dawlish etc)
The RD&E hospital in Exeter is nearby. Good ambulance service.
Good doctor surgeries.
The only thing I'm struggling with at the moment is finding a decent dentist surgery since COVID, mine shut down (if you know the area @RainRainKeepComing and could recommend one I'd be very grateful) :-)

I can't help you with dentists. Sorry.
We're all shooting in the dark here.
One thing I've learned from MN is that posters' ideas of a healthy budget vary hugely. OP needs to be more specific.
Someone would think £300K expensive, someone else wouldn't bat an eyelid at £900K+.

@kfl I'd say take some holidays where you want to live and ideally maybe rent for 6 months or more to see if you like it.