Retirement options in Mayo/Galway

Gorteen

My wife and I are set to retire within the next 5 years. We would love to buy/build a small home on the west coast with scenic views, ideally within a short walk to beach or coast. It's also important to be close to a town with nice range of shops, pubs, restaurants.
What are our options and are there other issues we should consider?

Gorteen

My wife and I are set to retire within the next 5 years. We would love to buy/build a small home on the west coast with scenic views, ideally within a short walk to beach or coast. It's also important to be close to a town with nice range of shops, pubs, restaurants.
What are our options and are there other issues we should consider?

Valresnick

Gorteen wrote: »

My wife and I are set to retire within the next 5 years. We would love to buy/build a small home on the west coast with scenic views, ideally within a short walk to beach or coast. It's also important to be close to a town with nice range of shops, pubs, restaurants.
What are our options and are there other issues we should consider?

Clifden ? One thing about living out West is it gets a hell of a lot of rain ! Also, you’ll spend a lot of time in your car if you want to move about unless you manage to live directly in a village. Spiddal would suit what you’re looking for in that case, right beside the coast and quiet enough ! Not too far from Galway city too !

flazio

Kinvarra is also a nice spot and is well catered.

happyoutscan

Gorteen wrote: »

My wife and I are set to retire within the next 5 years. We would love to buy/build a small home on the west coast with scenic views, ideally within a short walk to beach or coast. It's also important to be close to a town with nice range of shops, pubs, restaurants.
What are our options and are there other issues we should consider?

I would imagine with Planning restrictions it would be far easier for you to purchase than build. In fact, I'd guess it would probably be the only way.

There's always plenty of nice places for sale, but won't be cheap considering what you are looking for.

Check out the usual property sites. One thing to note, around Westport/Clew Bay the last recession didn't impact prices too much so doubt you'd be getting a bargain irrespective of the 'looming' recession.

All the best and good luck. You will be more than welcomed down this side.

Gorteen

happyoutscan wrote: »

I would imagine with Planning restrictions it would be far easier for you to purchase than build. In fact, I'd guess it would probably be the only way.

There's always plenty of nice places for sale, but won't be cheap considering what you are looking for.

Check out the usual property sites. One thing to note, around Westport/Clew Bay the last recession didn't impact prices too much so doubt you'd be getting a bargain irrespective of the 'looming' recession.

All the best and good luck. You will be more than welcomed down this side.

I imagine Westport is the most appropriate town to choose?

PARlance

Gorteen wrote: »

I imagine Westport is the most appropriate town to choose?

For your wishlist, yes. But it'll come at a premium vs elsewhere in Mayo. Plenty of other options depending on the priorities of your wishlist.

The best advice may be to spend a few weekends away in Mayo to help form your opinion.

GerardKeating

Gorteen wrote: »

It's also important to be close to a town with nice range of shops, pubs, restaurants.

What is your defination of "town", are you thinking of something the size of Ballina/Westport/Ennis or a Village like Spiddal/Carraroe/Kinvara

Gorteen

GerardKeating wrote: »

What is your defination of "town", are you thinking of something the size of Ballina/Westport/Ennis or a Village like Spiddal/Carraroe/Kinvara

Good size supermarket, health centre, restaurants, etc

bassy

ya were going to mayo a few days ago now your going to galway

Bullocks

Gorteen wrote: »

Good size supermarket, health centre, restaurants, etc

Barna would be nice . Budget would dictate how close to the city you could get . The Claddagh would be a smashing spot right beside the sea and city but not quite rural either

Gorteen

bassy wrote: »

ya were going to mayo a few days ago now your going to galway

I've posted in Galway and Mayo. Not decided which county suits us best. Is that ok with you?

biko

Both threads joined in West forum that encompass all Western counties.

Tilikum17

I'd go with furbogh. Right in the middle of Barna and Spiddel. Nice beach and lovely pub/resturant.Barna has become for too built up in my opinion. A couple of years from now Furbogh will be the new (Old) Barna. There's been a lot of building going on out there even in the last year.
sorry just realised this is months old.

crusd

Newport.

Scenic town, on the greenway, a few food options in the town, close enough to Westport but without the crowds, on clew bay, not far from beaches, loads of walking and hiking options, Castlebar close enough also for a more commercial town. Ok, for a large Supermarket you would need to go to Westport, but its only 12km, and if it bothered you that much there is always online.

Cosmo Kramer

There probably aren't many towns on the coast that would meet your requirements of multiple restaurants, health centre etc. Westport is the obvious one. Louisburgh and Newport would offer cheaper alternatives that have more limited facilities but are both still within easy striking distance of Westport. Some lovely beaches around Louisburgh in particular, but it's a question of whether the town has enough amenities for you.

Gorteen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120218738#Comment_120218738

Is Westport more 'commercial' than Castlebar for shopping, supermarkets, etc? I always assumed the reverse

Vegasroger

I just don't think mayo can provide everything you want on your checklist.

Your going to have to get as close to Galway city as possible if your wanting the nice selection of restaurants etc.

crusd

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120221363#Comment_120221363

Thats what I mean, Castlebar is more commercial. For supermarkets though, Westport has Tesco, Lidl and Supervalu. With Castlebar having Dunnes, Aldi, Tesco, Lidl and Supervalu.