What is Life Over 50 Really Like in the UK?

What is living in the UK like if you're over fifty or older? Is it any different than living in the US?

In this video I break down what I think are the main advantages for those who are over fifty living in the UK and England. Great health care through the NHS if you qualify for starters. Plus there are some cool discounts you get as an OAP - old age pensioner! I still hate that expression but it's English for senior citizen.

Of course if you're a baby boomer then you don't consider yourself a senior citizen any more than I do!

Let's find out more about living in the UK for those over 50, the pros and cons and why you might want to move to the UK for a better quality of life if you're over fifty.

[JeanineMarieCompassion]

I love this channel. I was just at Oxford and in London. I'm 58 and am American. I would love to move to London someday!

[andypandy]

The Senior Bus Pass in England is not available until you are of pensionable age, currently 66. Different rules apply in Wales and Scotland and I am unsure about N. Ireland. In London over 60s can get a Freedom Pass which gives free travel after the morning rush hours on a variety of means of transport within the capital including buses, the Tube, the DLR and the London Overground.
The one third off train travel does not come with the Bus Pass in England but you can buy a Senior Rail Card that will give you that discount. It costs £30 for one year or £70 for three years.

[jackjames]

Was concerned as you’ve been quiet for a while so I’m very pleased to see you’re well and looking great.

[andypandy]

I retired early during the latter stages of the pandemic and over a year of working at home that did my head in.
I don't regret it at all. My last employer approached me to go back. I was flattered but told them that I was having the best time that I have had for decades! 🙂

[billyo]

Welcome back Tessa. Love your little updates. Here in Ireland we have free bus and rail travel nationwide, which is a great incentive for visiting friends or taking a weekend break. I have my state pension here, which is a little more than the UK. But then, the cost of living is a bit more too. I also get a percentage of the UK pension as I worked there for many years. I look forward to your next video. Lots of love and health ❤

[ronakio]

Totally agree with everything you said. What I love most about the UK is the fact that it's pretty cheap to travel anywhere in the world.

[MagentaOtterTravels]

I'm looking forward to getting my free bus pass!

[MagentaOtterTravels]

That is interesting that you think there is less ageism in Britain. I think I agree with you!
I always joked to my husband that one reason I like living in Cheltenham is because there are so many elderly people. It makes me feel young! Lol😂

[TheEulerID]

One correction. You don't get a free bus pass until you reach retirement age (currently 66). However, I think you are eligible for a Senior Railcard at 60, which gives you 30% discount on many (but not all) train fairs. However, it's not free.

Also, can I add that there are many volunteer groups, which a lot of retired people join. As well as giving something to the community, they are also associated with a lot of social activities too. That's not to say that younger folk don't get involved too, but it tends to be the case that older ones have more time.

[jennyk]

Plenty of organizations --- the WI for ladies of all ages. Men's Shed for gentlemen. U3A for all over age 50. We have lots of walking groups & clubs. Walking for Health & Well being is for all, just turn up.

[borderlord]

I can't believe Im 51!
Seems like I was 31 a couple years ago!

[EmyrRees-nj]

I like your blog, you should visit Wales, I live in west Wales. Just a few things you might like to clear up, in Wales we have free bus pass over 66 and free prescriptions at any age so no cost for medication, all the best hope you look into wales and maybe visit some day. I would like to hear what you think.

[neilconnaughton]

I've just turned 59 and live in the North West of England. I'm starting to realise just how lucky we are here . But listening to the media you might think we are a nation of complainers ! Americans do seem a little more positive than us Brits - we can be a bit negative/skeptical bunch! Your thoughts??

[seanmc]

Love your video, This is two fold for an over 50, it will be quite long, sorry, but does tie in with whats been said in a postive way
My father died 23 years ago, my mother was 58, it was the dawn of the home computers, she was alone, apart from me and my brother, but could not be there all the time, as were in the forces, anyway, She sat in front of the computer, thought i need to learn, she started to go out and do free coarses, she was on a pension so they were free, met new people of her age, she came to end of the free coarses, and decided to go back to univesity, to do her teaching certificate as a mature student, she got her credits, graduated, but she was also the north east student of the year at 60 years old, from athat at 60 years old she built a career teaching mature students, basic computer skills, word pro, spread sheets and data base, she also had a hobby, which was family history on the internet, and started running coarses, for people to learn and trace there family history, using the internet, so the mature students could have a hobby, take those skills back home, and on an evening research, She traced my family back to 1460, and could get no further, as it was traced back to ireland, and many records were destroyed during the troubles
Moved forward to when she was 75, which will ties in, with the nhs and insurance
she was on holiday with her sister, also a widow, to a non european country, she had a terrible fall, missed the last step in a shop, broker thigh bone, her arm and her wrist, she was taken to hospital in non european country, put rod in her leg, fixed her arm, but a botch job to be honest, but she had insurance through her bank, which was 10.00 pound per month, they sorthed everything, they sent a nurse out, to get her from hospital to the plane, to heathrow, to the north east and into the british hospital, all arranged by the nurse they sent out, he was ex milatary, he did everything, flights transfers, she got in uk hospital next to home, they sorted her, 4 months later, she was having problems after the botched surgery, they got he back into uk hospital, re done the rod on her thigh, also bone grafts to stablelise it, aslo inserted a new hip bone, hip replacement, she is now 80, uses one of these chairs with wheels a walker, still leads an active life, she did retire at 75, she still lives in her own place on her own, and still the boss
Total cost was 70 pounds out of pocket, to the non european hospital, who wanted paying by cash for the food she had, probably a scam
There is so many clubs, for over 50's as well, just look for them, coffee mornings, line dancing, many different clubs run for free, just pay for a coffee, it ties into the pub culture of community, and the family and community, you will see all ages taking parents and grandparents out on a sunday for a sunday roast, every sunday with 2 3 4 genrations at a table

[Revelation--]

Hi I am a 47 nearly 48 year old English woman, so I am heading that way lol

[dereksayer]

You only get the free bus pass at official retiring age as far as I know which is 66.

[gigisummer]

Hi just came across your channel. I don`t want to be rude but seriously how can you make the comment you did about the job search for over 50s here if you haven`t even tried looking for work. I am British but have worked almost exclusively in another European country. Having serious problems finding work here and I know it`s because I don`t have experience here and I`m older.

[MagentaOtterTravels]

Do people play pickleball in England? I know it's all the rage for older Americans these days!