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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle

My husband wants us to move miles away from our friends when we retire

Would we be mad to make such a huge change?
Would we be mad to make such a huge change? (Posed by models) Photograph: Digital Vision/Getty Images

After many years of wonderful holidays in Devon, my husband wants us to move there next year when we both retire (we currently live in Yorkshire). I know that he’s right – we are in a rut and need a change – but I’m worried about moving so far away from the close friends we’ve had for 30-plus years. My husband is a real joiner and has no doubts that he would cope, but I am shy and more introverted. Our only son is now settled in Australia and neither of us has brothers or sisters still living, so our friends are our only source of support (if we need it). Is it really possible (or even wise?) to start again in a different place after retirement? How easy is it in your 60s to make friends? Are we mad to make such a huge change at this stage in life?

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