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Retirement

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Original poster

Ideal retirement location

13 replies

OldBun58 · 01/08/2025 09:52

Any recommendations on places to retire to in the South?

We recently moved out of Surrey where property is expensive, and now renting in Horsham, where it is nice but not that much cheaper. We are now thinking of buying our last home, but can't afford it in this area. Whilst in our mid 60-s, we are not in great health. Joints are failing us and hubby is fighting cancer.

We need to retire this/next year and buy a detached bungalow on a limited budget of around 350K. Ideally somewhere in the south (better for joints), perhaps near a coastal town or a bit further inland, but somewhere warm and sunny. Somewhere peaceful and picturesque but with all necessary facilities nearby. With plenty of bungalows to choose from but not too remote to go shopping/see some life etc. Could be a holiday town but not extremely busy with holidaymakers. Not too shabby, with a bit of class. Is it possible?

OP posts:
averythinline · 01/08/2025 10:19

Selsey ? Easy frequent bus to Chichester..but all amenities in village and very near the sea... And definitely in your budget .
Bogner amazing beaches half seemed more holidayish but the west half much quieter...

Lots of bungalows around there...or further along the coast Milford bit inland or highcliffe ?

Original poster
OldBun58 · 01/08/2025 11:51

Perhaps, the edge of a picturesque market town?

OP posts:
Mary19 · 05/08/2025 17:41

Maybe start with places with big hospitals nearby+ decent public transport. Getting out of Surrey Sussex gets cheaper. So what about Fareham Hampshire. Close proximity Portsmouth and Southampton for Hospitals. Out skirts Bournemouth has Hospital, Dorset, likewise Exeter Devon, or Taunton, Somerset. Or go into Kent Broadstairs etc

Wotrewelookinat · 08/08/2025 10:58

If you're prepared to look outide of the South (you don't say if you have family commitments etc) you could consider Suffolk. We moved here from South London/Surrey 10 years ago. the climate is dry and generally sunny, there are loads of lovely market towns, coast if you want it, and still an easy train ride into London if you want that, and it's a lot less crowded, busy and expensive than Surrey/Sussex.

elizabethcharlotte · 10/08/2025 04:42

Wotrewelookinat · 08/08/2025 10:58

If you're prepared to look outide of the South (you don't say if you have family commitments etc) you could consider Suffolk. We moved here from South London/Surrey 10 years ago. the climate is dry and generally sunny, there are loads of lovely market towns, coast if you want it, and still an easy train ride into London if you want that, and it's a lot less crowded, busy and expensive than Surrey/Sussex.

We have thought about retiring to Norwich as perhaps Suffolk is too quiet for us. Do you have any particular Suffolk market towns that you would recommend as good places to retire too?

Ladedahlia · 10/08/2025 07:20

Any recommendations for places in Suffolk? ? I don’t know the area at all. Looking like OP for somewhere peaceful with lovely countryside but a friendly active community, good shops and facilities. We have relatives in Sussex.

Wotrewelookinat · 10/08/2025 08:05

@elizabethcharlotte @Ladedahlia re Suffolk. We live near Woodbridge. It's a lovely area. There are the 3 estuaries near here of the rivers Deben, Orwell and Stour. 15 mins to the blue flag beach at Felixstowe, 35 mins up the A12 to Aldeburgh and a bit further to Southwold. There is loads of wildlife, including RSPB Minsmere. Sutton Hoo and the associated history. There are Orford and Framlingham castles. Loads of watersports (we're into sailing, kayaking and swimming). Woodbridge is expensive, but there are suburbs of ipswich you could look at.Also other market towns - Framlingham, Wickham Market, Saxmundham. Further away from the coast there's Sudbury, Bury St E. Beccles and Bungay are both lovely too, and nearer to Norfolk and the Broads. From where we are you can access some lovely parts of essex and Norfolk in a day.

A couple of provisos would be that Suffolk can be quiet in the winter (still great for walking and cycling as usually quite rain-free), and the public transport outside of the larger towns isn't great.

Happy to answer further questions!

fussychica · 14/08/2025 09:42

Warminster area, Wiltshire, halfway between Bath and Salisbury. Market town, quite a bit going on, fantastic park, small theatre, great countryside on your doorstep.
Unusually there's quite a few detached bungalows on the market at the moment within your budget. We love it here.
Downsides, a bit far from hospitals and the coast both of which maybe an issue for you.

MyElatedUmberFinch · 12/09/2025 13:15

Eastbourne perhaps.

Crikeyalmighty · 14/10/2025 21:00

@fussychica my FIL moved at 85 to Frome from Kent!! ( we live in Bath) Frome does have an urgent care centre and a small modern cottage hospital - although not a full scale A&E - but it’s more than a lot if similar places have - my FIL paid £404, 000 - 3 bed bungalow in nice order plus garage

Silverbirchleaf · 14/10/2025 21:10

I would look see what facilities you want and work backwards - train to London, hospital, theatre, cinema, walks etc and see what fits your criteria.

Worthing
Folkstone
Deal
Christchurch
Rye
Manningtree
St Neots

Possible locations?

Greenwitchart · 14/10/2025 21:30

If you want to stay in the south: Deal, Walmer, Broadstairs, Sandwich, Folkestone, Sandgate and Whistable.

I moved to Deal for a slower pace of life and it is lovely :).

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