It probably comes as no surprise that when we are relatively free of economic and work constraints we are able to give more thought to where we would ideally like to live as we grow older. As we age what we want from life and our surroundings changes, so in England, for example, 43% of over-50s plan to move when they retire, with large numbers of urban dwellers planning to leave city life behind.

There is no shortage of advice about what to consider when thinking about where to live. If you happen to be a citizen of one of those countries ranked highly among places to grow old in, currently Norway, Switzerland, Denmark, The Netherlands and Sweden, then you are fortunate indeed, but the United States and Britain both have a growing range of alternatives for older people.

The important thing is to balance your vision with practicalities. Maybe you can have water and trees and be surrounded by natural beauty, but you will also need to consider mobility, access, and proximity of services and health facilities. Share your thoughts with friends and family, cast your net wide, and anchor your options firmly to what is sustainable in the long run!