Ever wondered where to move to in England or where to live in the UK for quality of life? Perhaps you’re over fifty and looking for a place to retire or settle that suits your lifestyle.
Well I’ve gone to scout our these places so you can get a better idea of what area might suit you. Today I’m looking at the East of England, and the counties of Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire and giving you a peek at what life is like in the best rated towns.
Because I had just the same issue when I decided to move back to England and I looked at the Best Places to Live edition in the Sunday Times for ideas. Today I’m going to look at the recommended towns and cities and give you my first impressions!
For your house hunting visit I can recommend this lovely 17th century cottage in Coddenham that you can book through the Airbnb link below. Tell Harriet that Tessa sent you!
https://tinyurl.com/msk2f8tr
Let’s go and find that perfect place for you to call home!
Looking for more?
6 MONTH GUIDE TO LIVING IN THE UK:
Work with me: https://www.hipoverfifty.com/a-british-lifestyle/
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ABOUT: I’m Tessa, British born but dual citizen who grew up in the US and Canada and now back in England finding out what life is like for an “American” living in the UK. I started my blog at HIPOVERFIFTY.COM to share my travels, thoughts and ideas!
Hope this channel helps you live your best life over fifty!
#howtomovetoengland #overfifty #movingtoengland #movetotheuk
27 Comments
I lived in the U.K near Brum only a few years as a married person. I want to go back so badly to stay. It's not so easy. My former brother in law lives in Alveley. Love that village.
Bring back the retiree visa, please.
Thank you. Making popcorn 🍿 now 😊
Aldburgh aka Gods waiting room
Look at Norwich, lovely place – Avoid Ipswich its a Ghetto
I live in the city of Colchester. Just 18 miles from the coast, direct trains to London, and expanding very quickly. All these towns mentioned are very attractive.
Harwich is pronounced Ha-rich, we don't pronounce the W. And you're right, it isn't at its best, in fact, I doubt it ever did have a great time. If you like a drink though, in old Harwich you're never more than a three minute walk from twelve places to get a drink. One of which is the Alam pub which used to be the home of the owner of the Mayflower.
Saffron Walden is a gorgeous medieval town full of 800 year old buildings. I did a bit of work round there and it's lovely. The surrounding countryside in Hertfordshire is gorgeous too
Living in the flat land swamps
Sheringham, just up the road from me. Flooded with tourists in summer, Cromer a Victorian watering hole (Victorian tourist attraction) lovely in summer, but takes the brunt of north wind in winter. Quite happy living in the area, I don't mind the Royal family visiting their holiday home at Sandringham, good neighbours. (lol)
In my 72 yo opinion, West is definitely best, from Cornwall, Devon, Wales, Cheshire, Lancashire, The Lakes, Arran, The West Highlands to Harris! With the exceptions of Edinburgh (if you love hoards of foreign tourists, and are seriously rich) and a bit of Yorkshire (avoiding York, it's hoards of tourists, and are wealthy). The East is definitely colder and dryer if that is a priority, the West generally much more attractive, beach and countryside wise. The East of England is these days very 'diverse' as you put it, thanks to Ryanair in part; I'd take out plenty of life insurance, they plead insanity generally so aren't punished by our pathetically weak justice system. Warning, online surfing by complete strangers for house location isn't everything.
Northumberland, but don't tell anyone…
With reference to towns looking hollowed out, you are hear at one of those historic moments when the structure of society is in flux, changing and no one is quite sure how it will turn out. Shops are disappearing in many high streets as people shop more and more on line, which impacts things like caffès, restaurants and pubs as they have less incentive to visit the town centre or come in from the countryside. How any of our town centres will look in the future we none of us can be sure.
Also, traditionally we do not tend to “hang out” in outdoor venues in the way that is common in both the USA and southern Europe.
Interesting survey. Norwich used to be one of the most important cities in England in Tudor times. CJ Sansom wrote a novel about Kett's rebellion there called 'Tombland', if you want to know more of the history. Cambridge is expanding massively and is packed at weekends and bank holidays. Essex is an underrated county which has lovely countryside (including some close to London).
God’s country……..Yorkshire.
Having lived in Norwich for 4 years whilst at university(many years ago), I would say it more than earned it's motto of 'A Fine City'. My sister-in -law chose to retire there about 10 years ago, and has had no difficulty in forging a great cultural life for herself, and great new friendships as a single woman over 50!
Norfolk, my county and Norwich my city.
I lived abroad for 17 years and like a homing pigeon, I returned.
Love, love, it.
Norwich is beautiful – so much to discover. One of my favourite cities.
I’ve lived in Norfolk all my life and wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.
Are you completely mad. Norwich is a fantastic place, the population by the way including its suburbs that are classed as in Norfolk County is about 250,00. A medieval city ( number two after London in those days) much superior to either York or Chester. You really don’t know what you are talking about.
You underplayed the charm of Norwich. Next time you go, wander round Elm Hill (opposite the cathedral from Tombland), one of the best preserved Tudor areas in the country. Also. wander along the river from the station; King Street opposite the station is the oldest part of the city and worth a look.
Norwich is in a lot better shape than most of the cities where I came from, but the best thing about the area are the villages. We live mid way between Norwich and Yarmouth on the Broads and it’s a slower more peaceful way of life. I do most of my shopping in Wroxham where the parking is free, and the views of the Broads are part of your every day.
There is incidentally a big Portuguese community in Norfolk – no idea why!
You mispronounce Harwich…the "w" is silent. Both Harwich and Ipswich are fairly depressed…Like other commentators, I am a great fan of Norwich.
Is 400k pounds like 525k in us dollars? Do I have to pay cash for my house in England?
I have lived in Norwich for around 30 years, before that (apart from University) , I lived and grew up in London for 40 years. I would suggest that you have down played Norwich a bit. Places in the country are fine in the summer but can be a bit grim in the winter. Although a 1 hour 50 min (approx) to London by train there are quite a few commuters. The key thing about Norwich though is almost everything is here, 3 cinemas ( including an arts cinema with another one on the way), an in city shopping mall ( there are actually two although one is very empty), but the other has a decent range of shops ( the entrance is just up from Marks and Spencer), two main theatres two universities, museums and art galleries and it is very walkable. There is a Waitrose ( but it’s just outside the city) and other retail parks on the edge of the city. The city also has a number of parks. Sheringham and Cromer, nice places to visit but a bit remote to live in( in my opinion).
Bury st Edmund’s is missing.
I live in Wivenhoe so was pleased to see you included us – it's really a great place to live! (btw – Harwich, which isn't far away is pronounced "HARRICH' not 'HARR-WICH' 😉