Southport area for single retiree?

[morningtoncrescent62]

I'm hoping to retire in a couple of years. I'll be in my mid-60s, so I'm not looking for actual retirement accommodation yet!

I have two adult children. DD1 lives in the Midlands and DD2 hasn't settled yet. I'm in Scotland at the moment, near the coast. I'd like to move a bit closer to DD1, but not right on top of her, and I'd love to continue to be near the sea. It'll also be important to me to move to an area where it's reasonably easy to make friends - I'm a joiner, and happy to make the effort, but I'll need things to join. Due to health reasons I don't drive.

I've been wondering whether the Southport area would fit the bill. Coastal, a fair-sized town, and within easy public transport distance of big cities. Does anyone know whether it's a friendly place where I'd be able to be part of a community? Or anywhere else along that stretch of coast that might work?

Hi!
I live on the Wirral so not too far, I love Southport to visit but I'm not sure about living there.
I'd recommend joining fb groups in the areas you narrow down and see where seems the most welcoming.
For seaside you've got plenty of options Merseyside way.
Crosby beach is lovely but not much else going on, New Brighton is fun, I enjoyed it but haven't lived there now for many years.

I think Southport has a bit of snobbery in parts to disassociate themselves with scousers but that's not to say they're unfriendly, it's just like anywhere else really if I'm honest.

Moving in your 60s for a new adventure is so cool, I'm excited for you!

I'm originally from Liverpool but I moved over the water a while ago now and much prefer it, because I've Liverpool City centre and Chester within driving distance, North Wales isn't far and Southport isn't either.

If you want any help looking at property or areas let me know, I've friends in Southport etc who would tell me where needs avoiding if any places and I can tell you similar if you look Merseyside way more.

Cheshire has some nice parts for countryside but not much for beaches and its quite pricey too, but it's nice to have within driving distance.

Hope you have a wonderful retirement x

I know kits of single retirees who are very happy in Southport. As you don't drive (and probably even if you did as it's so lovely) I recommend liv8ng as close as possible ti Birkdale village. It's quite friendly and you're right by the train station for going into Liverpool, Formby, and Southport itself for meetups etc. Plus you have all the lovely shops. Nice places to walk roundabout also, and particularly good if you have a dog - you'd soon make dogwalking friends.

I love Southport but it's not the place to live if you want to be near the sea 😂 (if you know you know)

:)

If you lived in Birkdale (a suburb of Southport) you could be by the sea in Ainsdale in 5 minutes via the coastal road - that's a nice beach for dog walking, wandering through the dunes, etc. Yes there's a Pontins there but it's a huge beach snd doesn't cause any issues except I'd avoid it during the big concert/rave weekends. Formby is 15 minutes away and there's a nice community of people who swim in the sea there if you're into that. Southport itself had a good beach but as others have alluded to above the tide doesn't really come in that often - the sea itself stays quite far out!

@FrodisCapering 🤣 That's what I was going to say!

I've lived in Southport for 15 years and have seen the sea right in probably 5 times! 🤣

I agree that Birkdale is lovely. Churchtown is too, on the Preston side, but the transport links aren't as good because it's not near to the railway.

I love Southport but I've just re-read your original post and I am wondering whether or not Lytham might suit you better.

There is definitely a community there, with lots going on. It can be a bit snotty but I suppose it depends on who you make friends with.

It's very safe and pretty quiet, but it has a lot of amenities. You could get to Preston or Blackpool very easily on the train and you can travel on to pretty much anywhere from Preston. It's definitely out on a limb in a way that Southport isn't though.

Hi

As we are thinking of moving to thr seaside maybe we like Southport in the next 12 months we are late 50s and are semi retired --- it was nice to see how many nice people are giving advice about this.

Live in the Midlands and always wanted to move near to the seaside but not sure where the best place would be it's great to have local knowledge, as I would hate to be stuck in a area I feel uncomfortable in.

We have lived where we are now since birth so its a big thing to move area for us

Thanks for any tips or assistance with this big step for us 😀