Returning to London at 60 🤔

[jjW29]

I’ve already posted about this a few months ago under London topic and tried posting this today in Retirement section but not much response.I would love some points of view from people that may understand my dilemma a bit more or may have been in same situation as me…sorry but I just need more opinions.
Im 59 and relocated to Norwich around 17 years ago with then partner(from London and has since married)and our 2 young children.
Fast forward to now I’m an almost empty nester in a large mortgage free house and have been single apart from bit of online dating etc for 12 years.I just can’t see me living out the rest of my life here,I miss London so much.I have a handful of friends in both Norwich and London but no family so friends and family wouldn’t really be a factor.
My house is worth around £350k and I’m on a low income £25k or so and have savings of around £50k.I feel I need at least 2 beds so that my 20 DD at uni and DD 18 can still have a home.
I know I should just make the move but people keep saying why would you want to move there,the crowds,the crime,the cost,you’ll be lonely there on your own in your old age!! I’m finding the logistics hard to imagine also,having moved house many times I know what it’s like but seems a mammoth task now…I suppose I’ll have to prepare to be out of work for at least a few weeks as need to hand notice in a month before move and then no guarantee of finding job within a month.
Would welcome any advice or thoughts please on relocating to London alone age 60ish xxx

If you miss London, you miss London.

Consider a shared ownership scheme where your capital sum towards ownership may give you unexpected choice.

Also can you take up a short let or room in a house to test drive a new area?

The Elizabeth Line has opened up several quieter parts of the city, so you may find yourself looking at areas where you'd be a relatively early adopter.

Plumstead is said to be nice & villagey.

www.peabodynewhomes.co.uk/find-a-home/lombard-square/

I haven’t looked into mortgages yet but a bank loan may be sufficient as would prob only need 20-30k as will have around £400kish depends on property and whether it will need work.Hopefully earning more in London but would maybe like to do 4 day week or 5 shorter days like around 30 hour week?
I’m not sure what my potential earnings could be doing office/admin/reception work..it seems to vary a great deal.

Have seen these but too expensive as I would want to buy outright and 2 bed apartment is £455,000 with probably a huge service charge also.
I would want 3 bed flat or maisonette or 2 bed house with potential for using living room as 3rd bedroom if needed while still having kitchen dining room.
I could also rent a room out if had 3 beds and still have spare room ☺️

Yes that’s so true.
I have a dog so my renting options would be limited and feel I would just be throwing money away but I may look into it as it’s something I haven’t considered.

What part of SW London are you please if you don’t mind me asking? Just interested to know people’s views on the area where they live,what are your thoughts on your surroundings?

That’s interesting to hear,I did think about that but then I thought it must be easy to find something in London.Im just not really sure about the processes now,do places advertise on their own websites now,use agency staff,recruit from Indeed etc
I know someone who’s been trying to get a job with TfL for a couple of years and they never seem to advertise for general station/customer service staff only management or engineer type roles.I suspect they maybe use an agency or similar??

@jjW29 I live in Southfields. We are a 35 min bus/train ride from Gatwick, a 45 min tube ride from Heathrow and a 20 drive from the countryside. We have two large commons/royal parks nearby and I really think it’s the best of both worlds. I can be in Victoria in 25 minutes with a fair wind. Far enough to be in a real neighbourhood where we know lots of people but close enough to be able to dip into London easily.

Sounds lovely,will need to look into that area!