Relocation to Herefordshire

Choosing a place to live entirely on location is a route to disaster. Go to any seaside resort that is popular with retirees and listen to the stories of lonely old people who came down in retirement and failed to settle or make social contacts and who hadn't taken into account available services. Far from friends and family, they live sad lonely lives. Perhaps not our generation, but the one before. For us the tales come from Spain, and France and other overseas retirement places

What matters, first of all, is whether the place you are thinking about moving to offers opporunities that you would enjoy to build up a social life. You may live in the best location ever, but loneliness kills. If there is nothing in the place you live, which helps you build a social life, you will not enjoy your wonderful safe location for long.

Then look at services, doctors, hospitals, shops, trains and busese. Again no point in moving somewhere beautiful and safe if the doctor is 5 miles distant and the hospital 30 miles distant, buses go at 9.00am and return at 6.00pm and the nearest railway station 15 miles away (no bus).

Only if the location you choose can meet every other need should you consider moving to it.

We had a friend who did exactly what you say you are doing, putting location first. She moved somewhere lovely and despite being a very sociable person, could find nothing in the area she chose that interested her, and locals were not very friendly. She lasted 3 years, and died of cancer, alone, because, family could not get to her as she was so far away from them.

Isla71

Thanks for all responses. I did PM a few of you. But perhaps better to open respond. This area was unfamiliar to me 2.5 years ago. My daughter wanted to live here, and is now choosing to live down South. Bless. I like access to shops, but prefer to live in country and walk the dog. Hereford is also within my budget. As mentioned; NHS doesn't work here, so I don't expect much elsewhere. Plus, I try self help. You Tube is brilliant.

Lived in Herefordshire for many years as a child. Lovely town and interesting county, on the banks of the river (a location I' not touch with a baregpole now because it floods so often)
be careful to avoid any areas that flood; getting worse due to climate change.

Really??!! 😁

I've got maps

Allira

shoppinggirl

Another Hereford resident here! I'm amazed at the amount of people on here that live in Hereford or surroundings. I personally think it's a great place to live, although they're building far too many houses and the infrastructure is starting to groan under the pressure! There are some gorgeous villages near the city and a reasonable choice of shops in the city. And I love the slower pace of life!

And Great Britain continues west even beyond Herefordshire 😂

Really??!! The OP was specifically asking about Herefordshire, but mid-Wales (to the west!) is beautiful too.

Luckygirl3

Well done - don't want any of that rubbish in Herefordshire!!

We're getting flooded by these posts and none are being deleted!

Well done - don't want any of that rubbish in Herefordshire!!

Reported

shoppinggirl

Another Hereford resident here! I'm amazed at the amount of people on here that live in Hereford or surroundings. I personally think it's a great place to live, although they're building far too many houses and the infrastructure is starting to groan under the pressure! There are some gorgeous villages near the city and a reasonable choice of shops in the city. And I love the slower pace of life!

And Great Britain continues west even beyond Herefordshire 😂

Another Hereford resident here! I'm amazed at the amount of people on here that live in Hereford or surroundings. I personally think it's a great place to live, although they're building far too many houses and the infrastructure is starting to groan under the pressure! There are some gorgeous villages near the city and a reasonable choice of shops in the city. And I love the slower pace of life!

But how would you manage with a twisted ankle ?

Ice pack. Supermarket home delivery. Etc.

This is the problem imo with all these out of the way places.
Nice for a holiday doubtless.
But how would you manage with a twisted ankle?

Millions of people live and work in rural counties.

It's not the back end of nowhere. Hereford is a city!
There is a main hospital, they have doctors, nurses, midwives, believe it or not 😯
And shops.

I'd prefer not to live in a city. Horses for courses.

The Times recently ran an article about Shrewsbury. It's one of the happiest places to live. I'm relocating to Shrewsbury. It's my home town and I can vouch that it's a beautiful town with a wonderful mix of small, interesting shops.

Hello, Luckygirl3. Many thanks for your post. Would you believe, I have never thought of being incapacitated. I noticed at a U3A meeting I once went to that these were all people in their mid-70s and older. Speaking with a few of them, it seems as though they were congregating much like a tribe supporting each other. They went for a hot drink, warm room and to have people around them. At the time, I thought U3A was an activity group. In actual fact, these people shared their problems and had a network of help.

You do need a car here and public transport is sparse. But most country dwellers know this and factor it into their plans and their lives.

If you had a twisted ankle you would ring a friend or family member to help, or call a taxi (there are lots of local firms) or, if things were really bad, call an ambulance (from whom I have had very efficient service here) - in fact, you would do much the same as you would in a city or suburb! There a also community transport minibuses run by volunteers.

I have not been able to drive for 4 weeks and have employed all the above very successfully.

If you are in a village there are lots of people around, and they are usually very active places with a busy social calendar and a real sense of community. We help each other.

semperfidelis

You really need a car in Hereforshire. Transport links are not good. You may feel very isolated, even though the scenary is beautiful.

This is the problem imo with all these out of the way places.
Nice for a holiday doubtless.
But how would you manage with a twisted ankle ?
Services are sparse and often there's not even many mini cabs.
Could be quite isolated.
I think there's a lot to be said for city or burbs. In practical terms.

Allira

There are a lot of chicken farms in Herefordshire and the River Wye, unfortunately, is polluted now with run-off so be careful if your dog is a swimmer.

Lots of river pollution is also caused by dogs. They also cause a nuisance to wildlife in and along rivers.

DH used to do that drive regularly when he was working in Shropshire for a year or so.

I remember walking over the Long Mynd and the Stiperstones many years ago 🙂. Lovely countryside!

Isla71

Thank you all for taking the time to post your thoughts. They have helped enormously. I am now looking south of Shrewsbury along the A49 area. Just about to look on booking.com for a holiday rental. Best regards.

There are some lovely places around there. We drove through on a sunny day last summer on our way from S Herefordshire to an art exhibition near Shrewsbury and the drive was almost as much of a joy as the exhibition!

I hope you find the right place for you.

Good luck.

Thank you all for taking the time to post your thoughts. They have helped enormously. I am now looking south of Shrewsbury along the A49 area. Just about to look on booking.com for a holiday rental. Best regards.

I don't know Shropshire, only by reputation. Perhaps a little too near Brum for me.
I've never thought of Shropshire as being near Birmingham!
I'm from Staffordshire/Shropshire borders myself, it just seems rural apart from Shrewsbury which is (or was) a lovely town.
Quite similar to Herefordshire I think.

Check out the U3A in various areas.

The reason I am moving from North Yorks is that I came here for DD and now she is going "down south". Bless. I lived and worked in Glos area in my younger days, and visited Herefordshire/Worcestershire over time. Hopefully, I find something in my budget. I don't know Shropshire, only by reputation. Perhaps a little too near Brum for me. As mentioned in private messages. I am looking for a community of my age group. I don't want to be isolated. It is bad enough getting older without having a family or friends locally.

I don't mean to offend but please bear in mind will your daughter want to move again? I hear of so many people who move to be near family then said family member gets promoted, or moves house again for some reason

Yes, that's a very good point.

I don't mean to offend but please bear in mind will your daughter want to move again? I hear of so many people who move to be near family then said family member gets promoted, or moves house again for some reason. It's just moving is expensive, also it's harder to begin again in a new area as you get older. Plus all the other considerations like health services, amenities and public transport should you be unable to drive in later life.

Thanks, Allira. Same here in North Yorks set between the Moors and the Dales on the flat areas by major roadways - chicken farms springing up everywhere. Awful smell when traps are opened. Bird flu control zone also, and vets issuing serious warnings. River water has been polluted for years. No fish or wildlife. Horrendous stories of dogs going into rivers/becks and owners ending up with huge vet bills. Not much of a bus service, although there appears to be good train service. I think my needs really are down to the most basic... supermarkets, at least within 15 mile radius. I dont like large cities and the thought of being too near Birmingham would be worrying. BTW. My little dog has now gone to wait for me at the Rainbow Bridge, so I am looking for holiday let between the Bank Holidays. Thanks all for responses. Very much appreciated.