Nearly there
Veteran
- Location
- Cumbria
Same here but without the cardboard box by then they'll be like gold dust too
Where are you going to retire to?
- Thread starter The Jogger
- Start date
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MacB
Lover of things that come in 3's
- Location
- Farnborough, Hampshire
I've often wondered about peoples expectations and what they understand of retirement. I've met quite a few retirees in Spain and Portugal when I've been on Winter golf breaks. This is going back a bit so I don't know how bad the housing and recession problems have made the situation now. But a common theme was around being stuck abroad and unable to re-enter the UK housing market. The reasons for desiring a return were varied but generally came down to not really thinking the whole thing through. The saddest were those for whom circumstances had changed due to illness or death, sort of a shared adventure becoming a solitary nightmare. There is so much around us that we take for granted not least of which are a common language and innate understanding of the 'system'. I mean move to a new area or small village in the UK and you could live the rest of your life as an outsider.
Jane and I actually think that London would be a great place to retire to...though that would need a few more quid
Jane and I actually think that London would be a great place to retire to...though that would need a few more quid
Mad Doug Biker
Banned from every bar in the Galaxy
- Location
- Craggy Island
Brighton?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.............................dont do it
Yes, it's the frightening proximity to the likes of Eastbourne and Bognor, isn't it?!?!
OP
OP
The Jogger
Legendary Member
- Location
- West Sussex
I've often wondered about peoples expectations and what they understand of retirement. I've met quite a few retirees in Spain and Portugal when I've been on Winter golf breaks. This is going back a bit so I don't know how bad the housing and recession problems have made the situation now. But a common theme was around being stuck abroad and unable to re-enter the UK housing market. The reasons for desiring a return were varied but generally came down to not really thinking the whole thing through. The saddest were those for whom circumstances had changed due to illness or death, sort of a shared adventure becoming a solitary nightmare. There is so much around us that we take for granted not least of which are a common language and innate understanding of the 'system'. I mean move to a new area or small village in the UK and you could live the rest of your life as an outsider.
Jane and I actually think that London would be a great place to retire to...though that would need a few more quid
Hmmmm scary thought...................,I have the estate agents around tomorrow to get an idea of value and maybe get the ball rolling. I could rent in Chi until I'm ready to retire and buy in Granada but will certainly be giving it a lot of consideration.
Beebo
Firm and Fruity
- Location
- Hexleybeef
I have a relative who moved from Kent to the Shetlands for a quiet life in his late 50's. It seemed like a great idea at the time. He's now is his 70's and would love to move back to the South East to be near his family and support networks but is priced out of the market.
MacB
Lover of things that come in 3's
- Location
- Farnborough, Hampshire
But you know me well enough to recognise that I'm not against the concept just taking my usual pragmatic, glass half full, approach.
I have also met some people that were definitely loving their retirement but they were at the younger end of the retirement spectrum. As Beebo indicates what's great in your late 50's early 60's may not feel the same in your 70s and beyond. Not a problem if you've maintained access to a route back, but many don't or can't.
OP
OP
The Jogger
Legendary Member
- Location
- West Sussex
Hopefully I'll be mid fifties when I get there and still able to enjoy the cycling etc further down the road, I need a plan 
Mad Doug Biker
Banned from every bar in the Galaxy
- Location
- Craggy Island
It would need to be somewhere within walking distance of important services. At that age, that will probably mean next door to the doctor's surgery and pharmacist.
We had a family friend who had a heart attack at Arnamurchan point.
The weather was too bad for a helicopter, so an ambulance had to drive out from Fort William, using the Corran Ferry which had finished for the night, and take him back. A round journey of a good 4 hours!
Thankfuly he was ok, but we were told later that it is apparently the furthest away point in the British Mainland from a Hospital.
I don't know if that is quite true, but it must be getting there!
MacB
Lover of things that come in 3's
- Location
- Farnborough, Hampshire
Hopefully I'll be mid fifties when I get there and still able to enjoy the cycling etc further down the road, I need a plan
that plan could be one of full immersion, language, culture, the lot..certainly cheaper than trying to maintain a des res in the UK as a bolthole...unless of course you plan on becoming a landlord as well
pubrunner
Legendary Member
Given the opportunity, I'd like to live in Shetland, though I don't think that SWMBO would embrace the idea (we'll almost certainly stay in rural Shropshire). What I like about Shetland is the scenery; the wildlife and the fact that it hasn't been 'ruined' (thus far) by over-development. It is far less 'touristy' than the Western Isles - (relatively) little provision is made for tourists.
National Geographic rated it as 3rd best island to visit . . . . . . .
http://www.saxavord.com/about-shetland.php
Lonely Planet also rate Shetland very highly . . . . . . .
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/nov/02/shetlands-scotland-islands-discovered-uk
Your relative possibly found it to be quite a culture shock - I'd feel much the same way, if I had to move to London or somewhere suburban. Of course, the weather in Shetland can be very harsh at times and like anywhere, it can be hard to feel at home, if no relations live close by. It can be very cold and I believe that the highest windspeed in the UK was recorded in Shetland.
For families, Shetland can be an attractive place to settle - there are jobs to be found; the schools are excellent (the Secondary school has been rated as the best in Scotland) and it is a 'secure' place to live, with particularly low crime levels. The elderly are very well looked after and generally held in higher regard than elsewhere.
I can well believe that ! Property in Shetland is much cheaper than on the Mainland. Many people who move to Shetland can buy a property outright and still have a fair stash of cash 'leftover'.
My Grandmother's croft house and land (a modest 25 acres), sold approx. 15 years ago for a massive £8,000. Mind you, since it wasn't on the Mainland, a bit of island-hopping was required to get there. As is required by Crofting Law (I believe), it was offered to family members first, but none of us wanted it at the time . . . . . . . I really wish that I had bought it, though !
Mind you, my Aunt's place may come up for grabs . . . Did your relation live in Lerwick ?
Pedantic hat on
- it is correct to refer use either 'Shetland' or if you want to make it clear that it is an archipelago, 'The Shetland Isles'; but never 'The Shetlands'
Beebo
Firm and Fruity
- Location
- Hexleybeef
Pedantic hat on
I bow to your superior Shetland knowledge.
He has to get a boat to the mainland to do a "big shop". He moved up there following a divorce and even after having to give half his house to his ex wife he was still able to buy a place with no mortgage. The reckons it's worth about £100,000 if he can find someone prepared to buy it, but £100,000 wont buy you much down in Kent, so he's stuck up there now.
pubrunner
Legendary Member
H'mm, I'm guessing that he lives on either Fetlar, Whalsay, Yell or Unst; if he lives on either Foula or Fair Isle, then he is living in a remote place.
Most remote, would surely be The Outer Skerries - I've only ever met one person who has been there !
This is part of our plan. Whilst we want to live in / near Chi after work, we've also been contemplating heading down there as soon as the brats are out of school - if not before.
