Am I utterly stupid and deluded to think I might ever live in London as an older person?

[figwine]

Just back from a trip there and as always I'm filled with a yearning to just stay there. I love travelling and love pretty much everywhere I go, but nowhere affects me like London does. I did live there for a couple of years in my 20s but then lived abroad for a while where I met exh, who persuaded me to move to the Midlands!

I would never uproot the dc (12 & 14), and certainly wouldn't be able to afford a family-sized home anywhere near anyway, but I have been wondering whether a small flat might be within reach in a few years. Obviously no one can give me an answer with regards affordability as we are talking about 10 years' time and if I can't afford it that will be the end of it. However, in theory, does it sound like a stupid idea?

As things stand I have no partner. I do have a career but it's one I could do anywhere and I would be coming to the end of it then anyway. I just feel the area we are in is so limited and dull, but obviously being alone and not massively well off in a big city might just be shit. I just wish I'd stayed when I had the chance, but that that ship has sailed. I have friends on FB who live there but I haven't seen them for years and couldn't assume I think that I'd be able to pick up where we left off.

Does anyone have any thoughts or relevant experiences? Perhaps I just need a shake!

I think it’s a good idea. I know loads of retired people in London who have a great time visiting exhibitions, theatres etc. There are lots of volunteering opportunities if you want to make new friends.

I’ve often dreamed about retiring to London. I think it’s perfectly possible and a good idea. Theatre, restaurants, cinemas, hospitals, community gardens, etc etc. An isolated cottage wouldn’t suit me.

Well to start does your house value roughly equal the price of a small flat in an area you'd consider (ignoring the fact we don't know which area will appreciate faster) and will it be paid off by retirement? I think housing costs is one of the biggest factors in London living. As far as being older, I imagine there's actually a lot more going on and obviously public transport is great in most areas.

I lived in London in my 20s and am now in the sticks in Northern Ireland. Not sure I'll go back to London but we are definitely talking about a big city for retirement. Country living is hard work (we currently have land though only for hobby not for a living) and I think museums, theatres and more people will be a welcome change of pace in our later years.

I already live in a city but would absolutely love to retire to London, for all the reasons already mentioned. Only thing putting me off is the property prices!

I love London. I relocated further because I needed to put my kids somewhere and could't afford a house and decent school, like most of us.

Nothing wrong with living in a central area, where you don't need a car, have all amenities at hand, have things opened pretty much 24h a day, and have endless things to do, parks included.

It's possible that you find the noise, crowds, busy aspect not so appealing when you are older, but apart from that, London is great.

Assuming the money is fine - yes, I think London might be a truly wonderful place to live when you're older.

I always envied those with the £ to buy/rent a flat in the Barbican estate and retire there. Especially those there at the right time to purchase them for (relative) peanuts, due to them being covered by Thatcher's Right to Buy.

I moved to London when my DS turned 17. I'd always wanted to live in London (or at least try it). He got a job there so I followed shortly afterwards. Have been here 8 years now.

Finances do make it tricky to move in as house prices are so over inflated.

But if you can get over it I’d say it’s a brilliant place to retire! I’m not at that age yet but I can see the appeal. So many things to do abs the ability to do them when it’s quiet during the week.

Also so many opportunities to volunteer and meet people.

I have small kids at the moment and work PT. Enjoying all the stuff London has to offer (especially since lots of it is free) on my days off has been an absolute joy.

Only thing I would factor in is do you enjoy the outdoors? There is lovely countryside around London but can take an age to get to in traffic…..and when you get there you’ll sometimes find the rest of London is there too.

There was a live in job at Buckingham Palace last year, I think it was for something like a dish washer and around £20k I thought that would be perfect if I wasnt a single parent. Live in the very centre of the city and spend your free time exploring, going to exhibitions and the theatre.

Glad I'm not being totally ridiculous! It will come down to finances - at the moment my house looks like being valued at a similar price that 2 bed flats are being sold at, but that tells me nothing about the future, of course.

I also feel a bit bad about moving so that dc don't have a base with me as soon as they lave uni. Their df has already told them he'll be emigrating as soon as they leave school!

The house boats are always very affordable, not sure how I'd cope doing that though, I'd be worried about the security off it I guess.

Where are you/your dcs currently living? If you can get a 2 bed flat in London, I am sure they would love to visit and use the 2nd bedroom as their base to explore. They might want to find jobs in London after uni and will be really handy to be able to stay with you.

My retirement plans are similar - it is not to go out to pasture in the countryside but into London with abundant public transport and free museums, parks and more restaurants of every stripe and price range than you can shake a stick at.

@HPandTheNeverEndingBedtime

The house boats are always very affordable, not sure how I'd cope doing that though, I'd be worried about the security off it I guess.

until you remember the maintenance fees, licencings, mooring fees..

London as a retired person is incredibly appealing for all previously stated reasons. Get a 2 bed place with a sofa bed so the kids have a bit of a bolt hole ?

It is all down to money in the end - not just for housing (though that's the biggy) but for living too.

I also love London (it's my home town) but when I see what friends are paying for frankly, fairly unspectacular flats w high service charges, my plan is to live elsewhere and visit for a week a few times a year.

So interesting as I and my friends/family are all discussing moving out of London once children are a bit older. It’s a wonderful place and there is nowhere else quite like it but it can become exhausting and the pace of life is a lot quicker than most other places. Let’s swap OP?

It all depends on your disposable income, in my 30s I would not mind selling my big house to move to a tiny cute studio in a good area of London if my pension afforded it, but now that I am older, I still want to sell the big house for a nice little place in a good area but I just want peace and quiet

My old manager moved out of London in his early 30s to have a family and then back into London when he and his wife retired. They have mostly loved it but did escape to their small holiday home in the countryside near their daughter when nothing was open during Lockdown. They love the theatre, go to classes for things like cooking, gin making, cocktail making but the best part is the endless free activities in London. There's always something new to do or see when they want to get out.

It is possible. If you're flexible and not fixed on Mayfair or St John's wood.

What about close to london areas too? Like edgware, barnet or
watford.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/109592378#/?channel=RES_BUY

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/107867657#/?channel=RES_BUY

I am planning it if dh dies before me and I'm of sound mind and body. Would hate to stay in the sticks on my own.

To strike a discordant note, speaking as a born Londoner who has lived here almost all my life the place has been steadily turning in to a shithole for the last twenty or so years. Shockingly expensive, unbelievably overcrowded (pop'n 1991: 6m. Now: 9m), run by idiots at both city and borough level, and where actual Londoners are fast becoming a minority (though this being Mumsnet that last point might not bother you).

If you really are that influenced by cultural opportunites, I'd suggest living outside London and having day trips in, while living somewhere quieter, more civilised and better value for money, and remember London is not the only place that has parks, theatres, cinemas etc.

I would love to retire to London. A nice flat maybe in Swiss Cottage (DH likes that area and used to work there) plus a holiday place maybe in Pembrokeshire. I've lived in London before and didn't get to enjoy it as I was working all the time. I'd like to go back when I'm able to wander around the parks and museums, go to all the lovely restaurants and have afternoon tea in posh hotels on weekdays. I often browse Rightmove for a suitable retirement flat.

I think I would prefer to live outside of London but have frequent visits for the day or short stays.
I couldn’t stand the noise and dirt and crowds for long.

@Gumboots29

Finances do make it tricky to move in as house prices are so over inflated.

But if you can get over it I’d say it’s a brilliant place to retire! I’m not at that age yet but I can see the appeal. So many things to do abs the ability to do them when it’s quiet during the week.

Also so many opportunities to volunteer and meet people.

I have small kids at the moment and work PT. Enjoying all the stuff London has to offer (especially since lots of it is free) on my days off has been an absolute joy.

Only thing I would factor in is do you enjoy the outdoors? There is lovely countryside around London but can take an age to get to in traffic…..and when you get there you’ll sometimes find the rest of London is there too.

You can get out to the chilterns on the tube/train for less than £5 off-peak!