Where can we retire to.?

Hello Lottie, a very warm welcome to POE (Pictures of England). 

I am sure the wonderful members on POE will assist you. 

You do not mention where you are staying now (presumably you want to move away from there- so it wouldn't be any use someone suggesting it!)  Have you any personal preferences, perhaps places you have visited or spent holidays at?

Good luck with your research.

I've often wondered if it is a good idea to move to another place when one retires. 

I can understand that it may be preferable to move to a smaller house but to move away from the area you know and are known puzzles me. 

We have moved many, many times with my husband's work and it has got more and more difficult as we have got older to make new meaningful friends, to get to know a new area, to find out where everything is, to find your way around, to get to know neighbours, and to visit old friends.

Until you can establish yourself in an area it can be very isolating (unless you have friends or family in the area already).

I would think very hard about why I would want to move!

Early retirement! - in the prime of life!  Now that is a different situation!  And the fact that you will know people in all the places you mention, as you say that makes it more of a wonderful opportunity. 

In South Africa everywhere is so far apart and takes many hours of travel and the population largely speaks a different language.  Different places - different problems, lol.  

I tend to forget how much closer (and how much better public transport is) in England. You are actually not far from anything are you?

So members how do you feel about Barton upon Humber, Porlock or somewhere in West Yorkshire?  Lottie needs your input!

Hi Lottie:  Ruth, from Phoenix, Arizona, USA here.  I can't say I know any of the particulars of any area of Britain as far as lifestyle is concerned, and I've only spent 17 days of my life over there.  But I really fell in love with North Yorkshire.  If you like the city, York's perfect, not too big or small, but very cosmopolitan and historic at the same time.  And the countryside outside of York is just jaw-droppingly gorgeous, especially going toward the shore, up towards Whitby, as well as the Yorkshire Dales.

Dorset is also very lovely, a lot of small quaint villages.  Seems very peaceful.  You've a lot to choose from.

Just my two cents.  Nice meeting you, BTW, Lottie, and best wishes  wherever you end up.