Retiring to Lancashire

I'm a Yorkshire 'lass'. Half Lancashire too because my Dad was a Lancastrian. I left Yorkshire to live in Hertfordshire which was lovely but I'm now stuck in Cambridgeshire and can't afford to go 'home' to Yorkshire. I would love to go back to either County really but I have a granddaughter (and a son) in Herts and I'm not sure I want to move further away from the 70+ miles we are now. Although having said that, I only see her a couple of times a year anyway so would it matter if I moved back home......

No, Minder, I don't honestly think it would matter that much if it makes you happier. Seventy miles is not exactly popping in distance, so increasing it even by a good few miles probably wouldn't make much difference, would it? Let's face it, distances in England are never going to be that huge and you would probably still see them a couple of times a year. When you move, though, make sure you are not too far from a mainline station so you can always travel to see them by train - and buy a senior railcard if you don't already have one. Good luck!

It is quite normal to feel the way you do, as they say moving can be one of most stressful times in life.
However, as we were both brought up in Kent , having to move to the northwest with my late husband's work, became very stressful, not so much the move but getting used to being amongst a society who have been brought up there, so it was more difficult to fit in. This you will not have to do, as you say you once lived in the area.
As many have mentioned, I did find the people in the shops very friendly, but I will admit, with the cold weather etc I was so happy when we were able to return further south again.

I am now feeling the same way, finding it so difficult moving to a life that I have never experienced before, being on my own. I would have been fine if I could have remained where my late husband died, but this was not possible.

We moved from West Sussex, which has a fairly dry and pleasant climate, to Lancashire. We moved back south after four years. I just couldn't stand the cold, wet climate. It was never a problem for the friends that I made while I was there - they were used to it.

I remember meeting someone who said that she was from the area but had moved down to, I think, Surrey. She really missed Lancashire, so I suppose if your roots are in a place there is always that sense of coming home - and it must make a huge difference if you have several family members there too.

Good luck - I hope all goes well for you.

Thank you NotTooOld. You're right of course, 70 miles isn't popping in distance. I'm actually in a town which has very good train links and I'm quite happy here but it's not 'home' We ended up here because the houses were very reasonably priced. We moved up from Hertfordshire. My 'older' friends are back home in Yorkshire and in the South where I was for over 20 years but I have a few friends here. I left Yorkshire in 1981 because of a man and foolishly moved down South to be with him after 3 months of knowing him. But that's another story

Thanks for all your comments which have mostly been positive. I think this is something we need to do otherwise we will be in a "never know" situation at least we are giving it a go. We are flying to NYC soon and have booked to go from Manchester leaving from my sisters house it will take 45 mins to get to the air port - it takes 4.5 hours to reach Heathrow from here so we are off to a good start!
As for the weather well I'm not to worried about rainfall but I'm not looking forward to the cold. My family call us soft southerners ?
Thanks again to everyone I'll let you know how it goes.
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Well we are nearly there! The removal van arrives 8.00am Wednesday morning and we are surrounded by boxes. I am feeling much more positive now so let's hope it's the right thing to do. DH retired last Friday and we have been having farewell drinks etc. for a couple of weeks now! I arrived in this fair city as a bride with 3 suitcases and 2 teachests full of wedding presents now a large removal van is needed to accommodate our possession's! We have too much stuff ?

Enjoy your new home and the next chapter of your life. We have downsized/ moved recently and like you took a much needed holiday during the process.

Unpacking is quite tiring, I estimated 6 boxes a day was enough! Only one room full to go!

P.S. We also have too much stuff! We have a garage full of overestimated furniture, although it seemed that we got rid of a huge amount!

The only thing I can see as a potential problem is that you are making your Yorkshire man live in Lancashire.

I am a Yorkshire lass in Lancashire and its ok!

I am half Yorkshire, half Lancashire, lived in Yorkshire till I was nearly 13, then moved to Lancashire. In 1977, complete with husband, 5 kids and a cat, we relocated to Lincolnshire, think we`ll stay here now.

Moving from where you've lived for a long time is bound to be stressful but also it's an adventure.

I'm surprised you decided on Lancashire when you could have moved to Yorkshire. It seems like second best or didn't you know that the last two places God created where Lancashire and Yorkshire. He intended to make them the same. He made Lancashire first and was very happy but there were a couple of points he wished he'd made differently so when he created Yorkshire he tweaked it slightly and made it perfect in every way

We are doing the same as you Babs, but going to Wales to be nearer our daughter. Now we are in the process I'm getting excited. A new ( ish) place to explore. Big adventure

Thanks for all your comments here I am at 12.45am unable to sleep and the van arrives in 7 hours. My sister is collecting the key and is going to take her Hoover etc. bless her, I didn't argue which I normally would
Well my Yorkshire man has never mentioned going back - I think he likes to keep some distance from his family!! His friend said we are going to the dark side! We are not far from the border so the best of both worlds ?
No going back now. Let the adventure begin ?

Vampire When you can boast that you have The Comedian who has the "Most successful stand up tour of all time" living in your own town, then you can say Yorkshire is better than Lancashire. Come on, which famous Yorkshiremen do you have apart from Parky?

Good Luck Babs

Hope all goes well today babs. Good luck for your new home

Babs don't just disappear off the radar. Thanks for your update, but also let us know how things are going.

Morning Babs. Hope the move goes well for you. I'm sure you will have a warm welcome back in your home county.. Where and when do you 'netters meet up in the north west?

Ah, rubylady, you may have a comedian but everyone knows that Yorkshire is God's own county

Good luck, Babs.

Rubylady, a few years ago there was Charlie Williams, but alas he is no more, lovely bloke.

Yeah, I remember Charlie Williams from The Comedians era, great.

Vamp Not just one comedian though, oh no, we have at least three comedians, one presenter (all regularly on tele), one dj, one Knighted actor and that is just our own town. Oh and we have an Olympic Gold winner and a famous singer. Not bad for a Lancashire Mill town. I, for one, am extremely proud to live here.

Babs1952 hope your move has gone well and was not too traumatic.
Welcome to Lancashire take lots of and for recovery.
We have a July date etc for our North/West meet up, you can see it on our thread. It would be lovely if you could join us.

Wishing you all the best

mancgirl we have a meet up in Bolton in July, we have a thread. Hope you can come.