Retirement locations for single, hippie 70 something

[jaffacakes882]

Hello! My Mum emigrated from the UK in the late 70s when she was 25. From the north originally.

She lived in the new country, worked, raised me, got divorced and still lives there. Is very social, has many good friends, in good health, still works a bit (needs/want to) but is basically semi-retired.

I moved to the UK about a decade ago. I'm in London. Have a partner and a child (her only grandchild, I'm an only child)

My Mum had a combination of bad timing and making a bad decision when she sold her house a few years ago. She's now renting and priced out of where she lives. She's in denial about it. She's okay for now, but that could change.

I am already thinking of possible solutions, one of which is that she moves back to the UK and lives near us. She has mentioned she could consider this. I know it would he a massive thing for her.

I'm wondering where might be some good spots for her. She loves the sea, it couldn't be in the North (she has childhood baggage about moving back there), she's not a typical 70 something. Looks 10 year younger and has the attitude and energy of someone in midlife. She's very social, loves music and theatre, is into alternative medicines, a Labour voter through and through. She has mixed feelings about the UK. Of course it's her roots, loves the humour, pubs, etc. But she never missed the class consciousness that exists here and doesn't like the "Little England" mentality that exists in some parts. I know if she moved back, she would need to be somewhere with like minded people as she would be looking to make new friends.

Any ideas of where could fit the bill?

The west country would suit. There's all sorts in Bristol, Bath, Devon, Totnes.

She will find there are plenty of hippyish 70 somethings around wherever she goes - high tory petty blue rinse is more concentrated in the generation above her. Does she come back to the UK often, and does she really want to leave all her friends and social life though?

She is best to be within an hour or so of you isn't she? If she's moving all this way she may as well be close by.

Stroud. It's got quite a hippy vibe and it's where extinction rebellion began.

Is she planning on buying again? if so, look at what she can expect for her budget!

I wouldn't recommend Brighton. It's very expensive and pretty unfriendly. I'm saying this as someone who's lived here for 30 odd years. We're considering Hastings when we retire. Also, out of interest, what is a "typical" 70 year old?

Bristol if she’s like a city, especially south of the river. Or Stroud if she wants a town rather than a city.

I agree that Totnes sounds what you have described. If you weren’t restricted to being nearer London I would also suggest some areas in Wales - St David’s, Solva - that is where I want to retire to.

Thanks again for the additional replies. Yes, London is out for budget reasons to buy.

I don't know her exact budget, but as she's said she's willing to consider moving here, it's something to explore more with her (and then visit!) when she's next over

I missed of Wells and st Leonard's /Hastings from my list .

Hastings . Cheaper than Brighton and has most of what she's looking for .

@hattie43 I agree- and I have several hippie friends who live there

If budget is an issue but you're looking at cities, I second Norwich. Definitely worth considering.

I 3rd norwich. North city (nr3) is pretty cheap but walkable into town. The arts scene is actually great if you know where to look, have a Google of norwich theatre, norwich arts centre, the norwich university of the arts, the sainsburys centre, Norfolk open studios and the Norfolk and norwich festival if you want a better picture. It’s pretty left wing in outlook, there’s plenty of quirky shops and eating places in the lanes and it’s just under 2 hours by train from London and there’s great of beaches nearby.

If she moves back after such a long time away, would she still be eligible for free NHS treatment?

If she is ordinarily resident here then she will be entitled to free treatment. I moved back after 25 years overseas with no issues.

Ooh Norwich. Adding that to the list. And the other ones mentioned as well. Thanks again

Yes still entitled to NHS treatment, as she's still a British citizen. Just has to establish residency first and then she's eligible

Can I be the first to add a alight note of caution? I have all four parents/in laws living, and all four entered their 70s in good shape. Now, in their mid to late 70s, two have got dementia/cognitive decline and wouldn't now be able to live alone without their partner's support. Mobility issues have also developed over this time.

Hopefully, your mum will continue to be independent and sprightly for many years, and I'm not suggesting you put her straight in a retirement village or anything. But, I would recommend just having in the back of your mind that decline can (sadly) happen quite suddenly and unexpectedly at that age, and that your mum might need support or adaptations sooner than you imagine. This is particularly important as you're an only child. Try to get get to live in a not unsuitable house, close to shops, GP, public transport etc. Think about how far you'd be willing to travel if yiu were visiting very often, or what would happen in an emergency (especially as it might take a while for her to build up a local network of friends). If she settles really happily, she probably won't be keen to move again.

Sorry for the downer!

Hastings is the most easily accessible to London, by the sea and has that vibe.

OP's mum might be fit and healthy now butin her 70s may need to use NHS in the future. Parts of Wales are lovely but health service (Labour run I'm afraid) is worse than England and waiting lists long.

Where is she now - what is it about her current place she likes. Think about how best to replicate that.

South-East:
• Shoreham-by-Sea
• Hastings & Battle

South-West:
• Anywhere from Land's End to Bristol

Wales:
• Cardigan
• If she'll settle for mountains rather than sea, LLanidloes in Powys

The East coast's fabulous and often affordable, but could be a cultural mismatch. You might look at Ely.

She sounds great! Hope she finds her happy place.

Glastonbury

Norwich would definitely suit her, by the sound of it, and it is much more affordable than most of the West Country places that would also fit the bill. You can rent a one-bed flat for about half what it would cost in Bristol, for example, and there are little two-bed terraced houses in some of the nice areas for £250k or so. Lots of lefty, arty, alternative, musical type people around and things to get involved in, short trip to the coast, and easy enough train to London.