Village/Small Town recommendations for a retired person
Discussion
My mother is looking to relocate closer to us (Fleet), so looking for recommendations in the wider area for locations she can start to look at. Ideally somewhere safe, with a bit of character, a good community where she can start to build a new network of friends etc. In terms of criteria, ideally looking for the following:-
Somewhere to the south west of London, in the arc between Reading and Guildford
A few shops/cafes etc within walking distance, or bus route. Doesn’t need to be a big centre.
3 bed house for under £550k in nice area, with parking
Walking distance/or short drive from a station into London, ideally with train journey time of roughly an hour or less.
As an example, central Farnham would be perfect, but it seems too expensive for something relatively central. What are Godalming, Haslemere, Liphook. Petersfield like? She probably wants to avoid the Basingstoke and Camberley areas.
Any recommendations would be welcome, especially if you have elderly relatives in their 60s/70s who like an area!
Somewhere to the south west of London, in the arc between Reading and Guildford
A few shops/cafes etc within walking distance, or bus route. Doesn’t need to be a big centre.
3 bed house for under £550k in nice area, with parking
Walking distance/or short drive from a station into London, ideally with train journey time of roughly an hour or less.
As an example, central Farnham would be perfect, but it seems too expensive for something relatively central. What are Godalming, Haslemere, Liphook. Petersfield like? She probably wants to avoid the Basingstoke and Camberley areas.
Any recommendations would be welcome, especially if you have elderly relatives in their 60s/70s who like an area!
DJT said:
Sounds like you are describing Fleet! I assume that is too close. ;-)
We have elderly parents here who like it. WI, local village fetes, etc.
maybe too close We have elderly parents here who like it. WI, local village fetes, etc.
Edited by DJT on Tuesday 19th June 07:22
although I agree it meets most of the criteria, except very little character.Mr Tidy said:
Of the places you have mentioned I'd go for Haslemere - but with your user name surely you just get off the bus when you feel like it, then walk the rest of the way! 
Yes obviously I would just stay wherever the bus took me 
Will take a closer look at Haslemere, have only been there once.paul71a said:
Hook would work; slightly cheaper than fleet, a small range of shops, train to london in an hour and only two stops from fleet.
I don't mind Hook, but I don't think there is enough there in terms of shops or character really.jeremyc said:
Initially, I thought too close to Fleet, but it does fit the criteria and is a nice place, although some busy roads going through it.Super_G said:
Borden is nice. Small village. All the squadies have moved out.
Hmm, I've cycled through it once, and a friend used to teach in a school there with many troubled children, has it really changed?Welshbeef said:
Chelsey
Witney
Hurley
Nettlebed
Christmas Common
Goring
Dunsden Green
Thanks, will look into these as well as Bentley as suggested aboveWitney
Hurley
Nettlebed
Christmas Common
Goring
Dunsden Green
SVTRick said:
Am selling my detached bungalow in West End village, only two bedrooms.
Parking on drive for two cars and also detached garage with power & water .
Ideal for retired person with decent neighbours and close to village centre, handy for bus and Brookwood station.
Not sure she is ready for a Bungalow, but West End seems well located. Much there in terms of a village centre?Parking on drive for two cars and also detached garage with power & water .
Ideal for retired person with decent neighbours and close to village centre, handy for bus and Brookwood station.
How about the Twyford,Charvil,Ruscombe,Hurst area ? We moved to Charvil 20 years ago,no regrets at all,lovely area. Twyford has everything you want,nice shops,cafe`s,pubs,restaurants and a Waitrose but still keeps that village style . Rail station to London and the west,Heathrow 30 mins, River Thames and the M4 a mile or so away.
JackReacher said:
Not sure she is ready for a Bungalow, but West End seems well located. Much there in terms of a village centre?
Large park, local shops, couple of pubs and short trip to other good local ones with good food.Decent common for walking, Bowls Club and other typical villagy things.
Local Church and not far from random garden centres etc.
It might not be very fashionable but my 60s and 70s folks are in Knaphill. It's not particularly rural village like but they are down near the park, decent enough for a retired person bus service, trains from Brookwood or Woking, a smattering of pubs, restaurants, shops and of course charity/second hand shops 😂
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