Moving to holiday home

I would agree with those who say 'try it for awhile'. You are lucky enough to be able to do that.
If you approach your holiday home differently, you may find groups and activities where you can meet people, and see how it suits you.

do not leave the friends you have now you will never replace them .

Thanks for your views.
Yes I think common sense will prevail.
As GG quite rightly says, as we get older we need bus routes, shops, and family nearby. We have none if those at our cottage.
Of course in the winter when it gets dark at 3 o’clock, the days will be endless. Summertime is a different kettle, of fish.

Thanks again, it has really helped. ??

I think I would focus on the practicalities. How easy would it be to change doctor? Is there a waiting list? Is there close access to a hospital a and e? If you had to stop driving is public transport available? What about shopping? Would you be able to get what you need locally? Access to a pharmacy? Have you ever lived there throughout the winter? That might tell a different story. As others have suggested, swap over and use your normally main residence as a holiday home. Try that before moving entirely. Good luck

If you decide to move the first thing you should do is join the WI. It's a great way to meet people and find out what else is going on in the area..

Find a local cab company and find out how much they would charge to drive you. It may be feasible and a lot cheaper than moving. You could have the best of both worlds. I would be very hesitant to leave an area where you are established later in life.

Just to add we travel nearly 300 mile each way.

We have been fortunate enough to have our own holiday home for a few years now. Family living very near to our main home will always keep us here. We just go as often as we can. We keep an eye on the weather. We travel very early morning when the roads are at their quietest. Too many road closures overnight unfortunately. Could you look at the times you travel? We feel we have the best of both worlds this way. You could stay for longer periods of time at your holiday time and particularly during the winter. See how you like it? Once you have sold up and moved there will be no going back!

I couldn’t move away from family. The pull on my heartstrings is far too strong and a quiet rural/sea location would not be enough compensation for me. Fortunately DH has come round and agrees that location to GP, bus route (when we no longer drive), essential shops are important as we grow older.

We have looked continuously at houses outside our area (same as Gingsters ) due to it becoming busier with new homes and horrendous traffic on even the small local roads

Just what I was going to suggest Beechnut.

If you are retired, you can choose to travel on those roads at off-peak times. 80 miles is not far, really.

I won’t be in your position so I don’t know what I would do Ginster.

Why don’t you do it the other way for a year or so and use your main residence for the holiday home. See if that helps a permanent move.