Thanks for all the replies so far, guys! Apologies if it seems that I'm not acknowledging them, but as a newbie my posts are in a moderation holding pattern so my responses are inevitably slow.
On the subject of moving home, I would certainly consider renting out my house and living somewhere else if I had to. Ideally in England or Scotland, possibly Ireland. But like I say, I know several people who haven't had to do that, including at least one fairly recent case.