A study has ranked the best places to retire in the UK, with a Buckinghamshire destination topping the list as the highest-scoring retirement destination
Retirement is beginning to look somewhat different these days, as a growing number of pensioners are considering relocating in their later years – and there’s one destination which deserves a prime spot on their wish list.
Research conducted in 2021 by Legal & General Retail Retirement revealed that 12 per cent of those aged 50 were planning to move away in retirement, marking a significant shift following the Covid pandemic. Whether driven by the increasingly unaffordable cost of living in major UK cities, or simply a desire for an improved quality of life, the trend is undeniable.
With this in mind, Legal & General unveiled its definitive guide to the finest retirement destinations across the UK, taking several crucial factors into account.
The study examined every British constituency, ranking each against a range of essential categories. These encompassed areas such as housing, health, community, finances, nature, and access to amenities – all of which contribute to what is widely regarded as a good quality of life.
Within those categories lie numerous additional considerations, including the availability of sheltered housing for older residents, the cost of living, reported levels of happiness, and how straightforward it is to travel between supermarkets and other essential services.
Taking all of this into account, just one location emerged as the undisputed champion for those seeking the perfect place to spend their retirement years.
Lorna Shah, Managing Director at Legal & General’s Retail Retirement, commented: “This research gives us a more complete picture of what shapes a happy later life. It’s not just about one factor – it’s the combination of health, social connections, environment, and financial security that all play a part in retirement wellbeing.”
The complete UK’s best retirement locations list.
1. Chesham and Amersham, Buckinghamshire
2. Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire
3. Dorking and Horley, Surrey
4. Godalming and Ash, Surrey
5. Mid Sussex, West Sussex
6. Woking, Surrey
7. Farnham and Bordon, Surrey
8. Esher and Walton, Surrey
9. Suffolk Coastal, Suffolk
10. East Grinstead and Uckfield, Sussex.
Chesham and Amersham secured the crown as Britain’s finest retirement destination for 2025. Though forming one constituency, scoring 74 out of 100, they are both neighbouring market towns, providing tranquillity and reassurance.
In Buckinghamshire, the southern locations couldn’t be more ideal for those seeking to put down roots in their golden years. Yet, they stay remarkably accessible to London, meaning retirees needn’t abandon their adventures of shopping, drinking and dining in the capital just yet.
Most significantly, both towns are nestled within the Chiltern Hills and are consequently enveloped by abundant greenery and countryside charm, an aspect that enhances your wellbeing even more during your later years and provides retirees with plenty to take in.
With additional leisure time available, it introduces you to an entirely fresh realm of the outdoors, covering countless walking trails.
Between the two, Chesham is the larger market town, providing a direct connection to London’s Metropolitan Line and a thriving compact high street. Here residents can stroll into welcoming cafes, browse through shops and drop in for a drink at the classic local boozers – sounds like a pensioner’s paradise.
