@mbarire people always tell us" life is short, enjoy it". I believe this is a big lie. Life is looooooong. As such, I always plan with the longest possible time frame in mind. Those are the plans most likely to succeed.
Imagine, at so called 40, midlife, most people have been working for a mere 15yrs. It feels like you have been at it for ever. But you have 20yrs to get to retirement at 60yrs.
On retirement, you may feel like you are old and need to go rest. But in reality, you probably have another 25yrs or so of active life, active brain and body.
So, at 40, beginning to plan for life at 60. It pays. If you see your retirement in shags, maybe there is an ancestral home there, begin to know your neighbours now. Attend those funerals and weddings. Join school pta. Sponsor a local child or 2. We spend 25yrs of life preparing for 35 yrs of working life. We should also exert some effort to prepare for 25yrs of retirement life.
Save, invest in a town house if possible. The rent will come in handy later.
If town is where your heart is. Its ok. Just plan carefully, save, invest as much as possible, make sure retirement does not catch you paying rent or mortgage. Work on your hobby that can keep you busy in retirement.
All said and done, I think its easier to retire in shags just from an economic perspective. Thats why most people end up there.
They must find it difficult....... those who have taken authority as the truth, rather than truth as the authority. -G. Massey.