Life Begins By Kate McLelland Rural retreat or urban hub: where will you retire? With Dorset, North Norfolk, East Devon and Lincolnshire still ranking amongst the UK’s top retirement spots, it’s clear that most people’s preferred option for a home in their later years is a seaside hideaway or rural retreat. In recent years, however, an increasing number of Baby Boomers have shunned a conventional ‘roses round the door’ retirement, taking the decision to move to cities like London, where they can enjoy a wider range of cultural activities. Good transport links, adequate healthcare provision and enjoyable leisure-time activities are all essential to a successful retirement, so if you’re making a choice between town and countryside, which one offers the best quality of life? GETTING AROUND COUNTRY: Rural bus routes have been shrinking for many years and the Campaign for Better Transport has recently claimed that these services are “in crisis”, as older people can no longer rely on them to access healthcare, shops and social activities. If you are able to drive, this shouldn’t be a problem, but before you fall in love with that pretty, isolated cottage, remember that in winter some rural roads can get cut off by snow or floods. TOWN: Urban transport services are generally much better than those in rural areas and, as bus journeys are free to the over 60s, you may be able to get by without a car if you choose to retire to a town. A Senior Rail Card can reduce the cost of rail travel, but if you are planning to take frequent rail trips to visit friends and family, be aware that the costs will mount up. Which one wins? Town-dwellers win on transport provision, but it’s relatively easy to get around in the country if you can drive. HEALTHCARE COUNTRY: In a recent report the Local Government Association declared that “Overall, health outcomes are more favourable in rural areas than in urban areas” but went on to admit that there were “reductions in resources to care for the older population”. Living an active life is undeniably good for your health, but the downside can be poor public transport (making it harder for you to reach your doctor or local hospital) together with slower emergency response times. TOWN: Make your home in a town and you’ll probably live within reasonable travelling distance of a hospital; you’ll also have better access to specialist doctors. On the flip side you can expect higher air pollution levels, which can increase your chances of stroke, lung cancer, heart disease, respiratory illness and possibly dementia. The faster pace of life can feel stressful if you’re moving from a quiet spot to a large town or city, so prepare yourself for life in the fast lane. Which one wins? If your health is good, living in the country is the better option, but people with long-term conditions may prefer to live in an urban area, within easy reach of medical services. HAVING FUN COUNTRY: If you love the natural world, you’ll enjoy living in the countryside. You can also participate in outdoor pursuits 50 Log into www.cr5.co.uk your local community website! such as Nordic walking, golf, riding or swimming, but trips to theatres, cinemas and shopping destinations will inevitably involve travelling to a town. While that’s no problem in the summer, getting around can be harder in winter, particularly if you live in an isolated location. Integrating into a community takes work, so prepare to join local societies and clubs, attend church or offer your services as a volunteer if you want to build up a social network. If you’re not a natural ‘joiner’, then country life may not be for you. TOWN: It’s natural for parents to want to be close to their children and grandchildren when they retire, and in many cases that means moving to a town or city. As a town-dweller you’ll benefit from more regular contact with your family and you’ll also be able to make the most of the cultural activities available. However, while many museums and art galleries are now free of charge, city life can be expensive in other ways. If you’re counting the pennies, don’t forget to factor in the total cost of a day or evening out in town, including snacks, meals and transport. Which one wins? Urban areas have the edge all year round when it comes to cultural facilities. If you’re the sociable type you’ll still find lots to do in the country, but poor transport services may affect your ability to get around in rural areas, particularly in winter. Time to choose: whether you decide on the town or the country, bear in mind that we are all living longer these days, so it may not be the last time you move house. Provided you are in good health and up for adventure, this is a time when you can focus less on the approach of old age and more on enjoying your well-deserved retirement.
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