Hi fallenangle,
Kalos has given you a wonderfully detailed explanation.
For the last 15 years I have had 100Hz televisions, which have been top of the range models so possibly handle this better. The picture, to my mind, is outstanding and I have never noticed any drawbacks whatsoever. For motion blur, which occurs sometimes around a ball travelling through the air, i.e. cricket, football, my tv has Pixel Plus modes to reduce this. My husband has never even noticed it!
We do have two other 50Hz televisions, and I now find the picture trying to my eyes if I watch for long, even when connected to a rooftop aerial. It must be because for so long I have watched a flicker free picture. There are a few members who still are pro 50Hz, possibly because it gives a natural picture. So often people leave their television settings as they left the factory but when you have tweaked them to your satisfaction the picture looks natural, yet stunning. I visited an elderly friend a year ago and could hardly bear to look at her television. It was just as it was from the factory. The contrast and brightness were on maximum setting, which also wears out the tube. She said she didn't watch much television as it hurt her eyes (she watches it from 4 feet away! I spent some time altering her settings until she had a natural looking picture, now she watches tv nearly all day. Maybe I didn't do her a favour!
I have a year old Philips 36" screen, not available now, and if your finances and space are o.k. try to get at least a 32" tv. It gives you the feeling that you are almost into the programme you are watching. I watch from 11 feet because it's where my sofa is positioned. Certainly you should be at least six feet away.
It sounds as if you are contemplating buying a new set. Places like Currys and Comet usually show DVDs on the screen so the picture looks good, which is not a true picture of how it would be with a terrestial aerial or Sky. I hope you find your perfect television.