Hidden in the green countryside of Buckinghamshire, Chesham andAmershamhas secured the highest position in a ranking of the UK’s finest locations for retirement.
The region – well-known for its transportation connections toLondon, its appealing and historic streets, and as a starting point for hikers and cyclists heading to the scenic Chilterns – was rated the top in a list created by L&G.
L&G noted that the region showed “outstanding performance” on its health indicator, indicating a high percentage of individuals over 65 who are in good physical and mental condition.
It also received high marks for financial stability and other factors, including proximity to natural spaces and strong community ties, which contribute to a balanced setting for aging, as indicated by the index.
The research evaluated regions based on various elements that contribute to a more fulfilling retirement, such as availability of medical care, chances to develop social relationships, proximity to natural environments, nearby services, and economic stability.
Mid Dunbartonshire and Monmouthshire ranked first and second as the top locations for retirement.Scotland and Wales respectively.
The index was created by evaluating regions based on six “pillars” – housing, health, social and community aspects, financial factors, natural environments, and facilities.
This relied on an examination of various available data sources, such as statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), census information, and reports on housing and property prices.
Findings from an Opinium survey, which involved 3,000 UK retirees in April 2024, were also examined. The most content retirees were identified as those who scored higher than the median average in terms of life satisfaction.
Lorna Shah, managing director of retail retirement at L&G, stated: “This study provides us with a more comprehensive understanding of the elements that contribute to a fulfilling later life. It’s not solely dependent on one aspect — it’s the blend of health, social relationships, surroundings, and financial stability that all contribute to well-being in retirement.”
Particular financial stability serves as a foundation for various other factors, allowing individuals the liberty to decide where and how they wish to reside in their later years.
L&G noted that the southwest of England showed strong performance in its index concerning housing, taking into account elements like access to residential care facilities and the presence of appropriate housing options for seniors in the area.
Bristol Central located in Bristol, Gloucester in Gloucestershire, and Bournemouth East in Dorset all showed strong performance regarding appropriate housing options for retirees.
In the meantime, the Fylde region of Lancashire led in social and community engagement, followed by Lowestoft in Suffolk and Dorking and Horley in Surrey.
This column takes into account the number of adults in the region who are 65 years old and above, levels of life satisfaction, self-reported happiness, and the distance to the closest train station.
The East of England performed well in the ranking based on the natural environment category, with Castle Point in Essex, South Holland and The Deepings in Lincolnshire, and South Cambridgeshire in Cambridgeshire securing the top three positions.
This column focused on air quality, the number of summer days reported, the proportion of addresses having private outdoor areas, and the average size of those private outdoor spaces.
London areas secured the highest positions when evaluated based on the amenities category, with Cities of London and Westminster, Holborn and St Pancras, and Islington South and Finsbury all ranking in the top three.
Wales and Scotland were also in the top five, with Dwyfor Meirionnydd (Wales, Gwynedd) and Glasgow East securing fourth and fifth positions respectively.
This column takes into account access to pharmacies, supermarkets, post offices, banks, libraries, and theaters, along with other facilities.
Here are the top locations for retirementBritain, according to L&G’s index:
1. Chesham and Amersham, in Buckinghamshire
2. Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire
3. Dorking and Horley, Surrey
4. Godalming and Ash, Surrey
5. Mid Sussex
6. Woking, Surrey
7. Farnham and Bordon, Surrey
8. Esher and Walton, Surrey
9. Suffolk Coastal, Suffolk
10. East Grinstead and Uckfield, West Sussex
11. Henley and Thame, Oxfordshire
12. Sevenoaks, Kent
13. West New Forest, Hampshire
14. Ruislip, Northwood, and Pinner, part of Outer London
15. Tatton, Cheshire
16. West Dorset
17. Surrey Heath, Surrey
18. Maidenhead, Berkshire
19. Windsor, Berkshire
20. Guildford, Surrey
Here are the top locations to retire in Scotland, as ranked by L&G’s index:
1. Mid Dunbartonshire
2. Stirling and Strathallan
3. East Renfrewshire
4 West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine
5. Western Isles
6. Argyll, Bute, and South Lochaber
7. Perth and Kinross-shire
8. Caithness, Sutherland, and East Ross
9. Berwickshire, Roxburgh, and Selkirk
10. Dumfries and Galloway
11. Inverness, Isle of Skye, and Western Ross-shire
12, North Edinburgh and Leith
13. Edinburgh West
14. Gordon and Buchan
15. Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale, and Tweeddale
16. Angus and the Glens of Perthshire
17. Arbroath and Broughty Ferry
18. Ayr, Carrick, and Cumnock
19. North East Fife
20. North Aberdeenshire and East Moray
Here are the top locations for retirement in Wales, as ranked by L&G’s index:
1. Monmouthshire
2. Dwyfor Meirionnydd
3. Vale of Glamorgan
4. Ynys Mon
5. Mid and South Pembrokeshire
6. Bangor Aberconwy
7. Caerfyrddin
8. Gower
9. Bridgend
10. Brecon, Radnor, and Cwm Tawe
11. Cardiff North
12. Clwyd North
13. Ceredigion Preseli
14. Clwyd East
15. Llanelli
16. Newport West and Islwyn
17. Pontypridd
18. Wrexham
19. South Cardiff and Penarth
20. Neath and Swansea East
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