Pension/property investment strategy query

[Sparkysea]

Hi

I would be grateful for anyone's thoughts on what is the best investment strategy for a pension and to minimise tax:

I am currently renting in London and am looking to buy a property that will be my main residence. I am considering either splitting my funds and buying a maisonette in London and a small terrace /flat outside London (would have 2 mortgages and rent one out) or buying the biggest property I can afford in London (also with a mortgage)with possibility of renting out a room. As I approach retirement in about 15 years time, I thought I could then sell the house, move to the country /downsize and live off hopefully the profits or if I went for the first option live off the rent /sell one of the properties and use the profit to live off.

Thanks for any suggestions

Sparky