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Original poster

Retirement location - unrealistic wish list?

102 replies

SenoritaFajita · 10/04/2023 16:18

My parents currently live overseas, and are hoping to move back within the next year or so. They’ve asked me to find somewhere which meets the following criteria:

  • Village or small town
  • Within 50 miles of Central London
  • Transport links to larger cities (bus or train)
  • New build estate, or max 5 years old.
  • Within walking distance (10 mins tops) to amenities. Not just one village shop, must have eg supermarket, butchers, GP/dentist, library, leisure centre would be great? They don’t want to drive unless absolutely necessary.
  • Open views from property

We live in the South West so ideally it would be somewhere our end rather than towards the East. Their budget is up to 1.5m. Can anyone suggest anywhere that meets all these requirements?

OP posts:
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15
Ooolaaaala · 10/04/2023 21:35

If this is their final home then it makes sense that it is in your direction for the future.

If you are SW do you see yourself needing to use a train to visit them (or them you?) - then what line does it need to be on?

Or if it’s driving then make sure it’s on a good motorway as if you need to be doing weekend round trips you - you will need to minimise those if you will have organisational/admin/ caring responsibilities.

If they are 70s you need to be thinking about how it impacts you as to where they live - that’s if caring will come your way.

Crikeyalmighty · 10/04/2023 23:12

@user1477249785 Yep the one I put up in Bradford fits a lot of the criteria apart from open views

Shoemadlady · 10/04/2023 23:19

All of that is a great wise list but dependant on budget. There had a to a compromise and that's a very specific list.

Crikeyalmighty · 10/04/2023 23:27

Brand new next to open land and hugely within budget- newbury

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/131419040#/?channel=RES_NEW

SheilaFentiman · 10/04/2023 23:43

Farncombe? Godalming leisure centre is actually in farncombe, it has a co op and a few places to eat, and a train to Waterloo. Not sure about new builds though

NellyBarney · 10/04/2023 23:46

I was also thinking about Newbury. 50 minutes train to central London, about 1.5 hours to Devon and 3 hours to Cornwall. Loads of newbuilds going up on the outskirts where you have nice views of the south downs. All facilities they want. Might be longer than 10 min to walk into center, though.

GobbieMaggie · 10/04/2023 23:50

jellybeanteaparty · 10/04/2023 16:48

Henley but not sure many new builds

Zero

Keepthetowel · 10/04/2023 23:59

Sounds like they need a retirement village

echt · 11/04/2023 00:22

Add A&E hospital, even a triage one, to the list.

Kennykenkencat · 11/04/2023 00:34

I think some of the things they want are at odds with each other

If they want to be close to amenities then the chances are that they aren’t going to get a new build

If they want open views then again they won’t be close to stuff.

and if it’s open views they want and to be newbuilds then the open space will probably be earmarked for more new builds.

Also when they say 50 miles from London are they planning on going in and out of London regularly because some places might be only 50 miles away but the trek you have to do you will end up not bothering and then they will end up not doing what they set out to do in retirement.

GobbieMaggie · 11/04/2023 01:35

Fantasy list.

Whichnumbers · 11/04/2023 02:42

Thatcham

Mummikub · 11/04/2023 03:13

Bradford on Avon is my dream retirement town!

Whatevergetsyouthroughthenight · 11/04/2023 06:36

Hungerford. There’s a new build estate on the edge of town for the views (if you can get the right plot) but it’s very close to the leisure centre and about 10-15 minutes walk to the station with trains to London. Tesco is the local supermarket in walking distance (by the railway station).

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/128895053#/?channel=RES_BUY

Check out this 4 bedroom detached house for sale on Rightmove

4 bedroom detached house for sale in Jethro Tull Lane, Hungerford, Berkshire, RG17 for £725,000. Marketed by Marc Allen Estate Agents, Hungerford

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/128895053#/?channel=RES_BUY

Changeau · 11/04/2023 06:37

Hertford

BillyNighysWife · 11/04/2023 06:42

Oxted

Pepper12345 · 11/04/2023 09:02

Charlbury in Oxfordshire.

It's a bit more than 50 miles to London but has direct train to Paddington in 70 minutes.

It's a very small town but has everything on the wish list.

TheFullPicnic · 11/04/2023 09:16

Battle

Sevenoaks

Hawkhurst

CountingToThree · 11/04/2023 09:21

Amersham, wendover

Crikeyalmighty · 11/04/2023 11:18

@Mummikub Yep beautiful little town with a suprising amount of activities for the 'more mature' handy for Bath (but cheaper) the only downer for older people is it's pretty hilly

Bluevelvetsofa · 11/04/2023 11:42

West Sussex. Trains to London, Brighton, Portsmouth, Southampton. Lots of new build houses around, including in Chichester. Theatre, plenty of supermarkets, South Downs, bus services.

Kennykenkencat · 11/04/2023 11:50

Mummikub · 11/04/2023 03:13

Bradford on Avon is my dream retirement town!

Friend moved there.

Moved back to London 10 months later.🤣