DH and I are in our late 50s. and starting to think about what retirement will
look like for us. Our kids are grown, and flown the nest. We are mortgage free and debt free. I am unable to work due to medical reasons. DH is working and would like to retire early or at least drop down to part time work before his pension at 67. We have a decent income and live reasonably comfortably. And we will have pensions.
Our dilemma is whether to sell up and move, to a nicer area maybe coastal.
we could move anywhere in UK our dc’s are following their own paths one is likely to emigrate. And the other is likely to move around a lot with their job. We have no other significant ties here, siblings are spread across the UK, No parents either side to take care of.
the pros of our house
No mortgage
good amount of equity.
3 bed house with good sized garden perfectly adequate for two of us.
we like our neighbourhood it’s peaceful and quiet. Never had a moments trouble or worry. Neighbours good, though many are quite elderly so don’t know who future neighbours could be.
the area has great transport links for London where we go often, and other nice places coast and countryside within driving distance.
loads of amenities on our doorstep and good bus service
we really like our house and raised our family here, So am emotionally attached to our home.
cons
the area itself has a reputation for being grotty and rough. but like anywhere
has it’s nice neighbourhoods and not so nice ones. We live in one of the safer and more pleasant neighbourhoods.
the area itself has become run down and changed over the many years we have been here. Loads of good shops left or closed down. The town centre is no longer very nice, and we go in less and less these days. Crime in the centre itself is on the increase and it is just starting to look run down and scruffy. I think it will only get worse over time but the centre can be avoided for shopping.
Housesin this area and surrounding are expensive as is in south east.
if we stayed in this area, or surrounding areas in south east, and moved,
we would literally just be doing a like for like swap property wise, even downsizing to a two bed in some coastal areas is same price as our three bed with all the costs moving would entail. We have only ever lived in London and south east but am open to moving elsewhere in UK.
my DH says we should sell up and move somewhere cheaper in UK to benefit from the equity in our home I am torn, about what we should do, I see the logic in downsizing somewhere cheaper but my dilemma is where to go? We could go literally anywhere and I am finding that so overwhelming it seems easier to just stay put.
Also if we move it has to be right as don’t think we could afford to come back to the south east, , as would be priced out. This move will be our final move. So wherever we go we are looking at it being our final home.
I am currently looking at best places in UK to retire But am not sure whether we need to move. I am torn and overwhelmed.
anyone in same position? any thoughts or opinions?