Top 30 Best Places to Retire in UK 2024

So, how to decide where to live in retirement UK?

We used a number of factors to evaluate areas when creating this list. These factors are based on what many experts believe constitutes the essential requirements of a top retirement area.

Using information from Profile Pensions and statistics from the Office for National Statistics, we have compiled this list of important factors that you should consider if you are asking how to decide where to live in retirement UK. They are:

• Average property prices
• Rental costs
• Access to healthcare
• Transport links
• Local amenities
• Safety

Based on statistics from the ONS, out of the top 100 ageing local authorities, 85% of the areas are considered rural. This shows the popularity for older people to be surrounded by greenery, which is an important factor we have considered.

Also, you may find it odd that we have included rental costs as a factor too. Research from early 2020 found that the number of over 60s living in private rented accommodation increased by 60% from 2007. A third of over-60s are now predicted to be renting by 2040.

This is why we have to consider the rental market in all these areas.

But that’s enough of the methodology; it’s time to explore our entries on this list of great places to live in the UK.

6. Suffolk

Average property price: £342,873 (Zoopla)

Average rent: £1,338 PCM (home.co.uk)

Serene. Beautiful. Peaceful. These are just some of the words that come to mind when you think of Suffolk.

The East Anglian county is often right at the top of the pecking order for retirement locations, and for a good reason, too.

You can feel a strong sense of history here, with stunning architecture and ancient abbeys to help transport you back to a less complicated time.

There is plenty to see and do in this tranquil paradise, like rare wildlife sites such as The Brecks, to the Suffolk Coast- an area of outstanding natural beauty.

It’s one of the great places to live in the UK, and it should be at the top of your consideration if you’re asking about the best places to live in UK if you are retired.

7. Nottingham

Average property price: £253,776 (Zoopla)

Average rent: £1,207 PCM (home.co.uk)

The home of Robin Hood, Nottingham is a beautiful city brimming with life and adventure in the East Midlands.

With more shops than you can visit in a lifetime in two major shopping centres, and a host of world-class facilities and green spaces, you will never be caught bored here.

History buffs will undoubtedly fall in love with Nottingham property, which boasts some of the finest spectacles around.

From the stunning Nottingham Castle, the mesmerising City of Caves, and the oldest pub in England, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, there’s plenty of culture to see and explore.

If you’re a literature buff, the city is also famous for bringing famed author D.H. Lawrence to the world.

With house prices incredibly affordable and living costs equally as kind, Nottingham is one of the cheapest places to retire UK.

8. Cardiff

Average property price: £296,702 (Zoopla)

Average rent: £1,433 PCM (home.co.uk)

The Welsh capital of Cardiff may seem on the surface like a student haven, but it’s almost perfect for retirees with plenty to see and do.

Immersed in beautiful countryside locations like the Brecon Beacons and Wye Valley, you can be sure to find some great places to explore.

It’s previously won the sought-after title of “Best Place to Live,” and with over 260 pubs and cafes, stunning coastal views, and Swansea and Bristol both short journeys away for further exploration, you can’t go wrong settling down here.

The city also boasts below-average house prices, making it another affordable option on this list.

If you want to know where to retire in Wales, Cardiff is an excellent option for you.

9. Bristol

Average property price: £395,121 (Zoopla)

Average rent: £1,805 PCM (home.co.uk)

Found on the doorstep of the River Avon, this southwestern city offers some of the most jam-packed landmarks on this list.

From Bristol Cathedral, the world-famous Clifton Suspension Bridge, Clifton Observatory, and a zoo, there’s a lot to explore in this wonderful location.

If you’re a golfer, there’s plenty of green to explore here, too, along with several stunning walking routes and adventure opportunities across the metropolis.

Famed and elusive graffiti artist Banksy also hails from the area, meaning you can catch some of their earliest work dotted around the city.

House prices here have increased by a fair amount over the years, but this is a fantastic place to settle down if you can afford it with a tonne of amenities to explore.

10. Somerset

Average property price: £340,054 (Zoopla)

Average rent: £1,416 PCM (home.co.uk)

Located south of our last entry, the county of Somerset is often hailed as one of the nicest places to live in the UK.

With enchanting rolling hills and quaint little towns, the area is one straight out of a fairy tale.

But it’s not just the environment that is so mesmerising about this location.

The area features the oldest engineered road in the world, The Sweet Track, and boasts some of the most stunning National Trust landmarks in the UK.

With Barrington Court, Dunster Working Watermill, and the fantastic Cheddar Gorge – Britain’s biggest gorge- there’s a tonne of sights to see for those looking for a retirement filled with exploration.

For foodies, the county is renowned for its cheddar cheese, offering a scrumptious bite to eat during your stay.

The county features some of the best retirement towns UK, and is worth considering if you want to retire.

16. Newcastle upon Tyne

Average property price: £232,831 (Zoopla)

Average rent: £1,225 PCM (home.co.uk)

The second happiest place in the North East, Newcastle upon Tyne is one of the UK’s most iconic cities.

Home to Premier League giants Newcastle United FC, the city offers so much more than a world-class sports destination.

The area, including Quayside and Gateshead, forms a fantastic and vibrant area known as NewcastleGateshead.

With an award-winning restaurant scene, wonderful museums, and plenty of attractions, there’s a lot to love about this charming city.

Despite a reputation as a student hotspot, there is plenty to do for older people, with peaceful countryside and a striking coastline to explore.

The average house prices here are incredibly affordable, making moving far more accessible for retirees on a tighter budget. For this reason, it is an example of the best place to live in UK if you are retired.

17. The Lake District

Average property price: £258,285 (Zoopla)

Average rent: £665 PCM (home.co.uk)

Perhaps the most popular travel location in Northern England, the Lake District National Park in Cumbria is one of the most beautiful spots you can find anywhere in the UK.

Offering rugged mountains and striking lakes, the region is a haven for those passionate about the outdoors.

With mountains to climb, lakes to explore, and hikes to trail, this UNESCO World Heritage Site can be the perfect home for a retiree.

There’s a host of fantastic restaurants to take your pick of, too, with hearty local food produce being served up regularly.

House prices here are slightly above the UK average, but to stay in such an iconic spot, many retirees will see the area as worthy of the premium.

18. Essex

Average property price: £422,813 (Zoopla)

Average rent: £1,638 PCM (home.co.uk)

While you may be familiar with this stunning area from the hit TV show, The Only Way is Essex, this South East county is so much more than a reality tv show.

Equipped with over 2,000 years of rich history, the area is one begging to be explored and enjoyed.

The county caters to every desire you might have from water sports and spas, racecourses and theatres, and cycling and walking routes.

Essex is well-known for its lavish lifestyle, making house prices quite expensive at £422,813.

If you have the budget for it, though, it’s well-worth considering this stunning part of the country, which features some of the best retirement towns UK.

19. Peak District (Derbyshire)

Average property price: £254,201 (Zoopla)

Average rent: £891 PCM (home.co.uk)

Another stunning national park on this list, the Peak District National Park is spectacular for many of the same reasons as the Lake District.

Located in central England, the area was the first national park in the UK and offers some enviable views for local residents, with limestone valleys and striking moorland as far as the eye can see.

For the adventurous, the region is famous for its caves, with some reaching a colossal 400m below ground.

Many famous films, like Pride and Prejudice, have been filmed here thanks to the area’s outstanding natural beauty.

Whether you want to get a bite to eat or take part in gruelling trekking challenges, you will have plenty to do in this wonderful UK park. It’s clearly one of the top places to live UK.

20. Bath

Average property price: £529,620 (Zoopla)

Average rent: £1,941 PCM (home.co.uk)

The largest city in Somerset, Bath sits in the valley of the River Avon and is well-known for its storied past.

Named after the ancient Roman baths built there, the city attracts thousands of visitors each year who are drawn to the relaxing allure of the area.

With access to the only natural thermal hot spring in Britain that you can bathe in, the city is incredibly unique and sits only one and a half hours away from London.

Museums, shops, and festivals make finding entertainment easy, while access to world-famous sights like Stonehenge places the area in a prime location for retirees.

Prices can fetch for a hefty price here at £529,620, which is critical to keep in mind if you have a smaller budget.

26. Brighton and Hove

Average property price: £446,582 (House Price Index)

Average rent: £2,046 PCM (home.co.uk)

The coastal town and city of Brighton is perfect for those wanting warmer weather in the UK and is one of the best places in UK to live.

With tonnes of beaches to choose from, this stunning city in East Sussex should be at the top of your list when considering retiring.

Like other cities on this list, Brighton offers a perfect blend of restaurants, bars, leisure activities, and more.

This colourful and vibrant city has become immensely popular with holiday goers, thanks to its stunning beaches.

Take a dip into the warm sea, or walk along the 200-year-old Brighton Palace Pier for a fantastic day-out.

All things considered, the city is perhaps one of the best places to retire in England. The only stumbling block could be the price, with averages sitting at over £440,000.

27. Yorkshire Dales

Average property price: £348,634 (Zoopla)

Average rent: £1,009 PCM (home.co.uk)

How could we make a list of top retirement spots without mentioning this beautiful stretch of England?

The Yorkshire Dales National Park, located in Northern England, is one of the top beauty spots in the world.

The site was crowned as the best national park in all of Europe in TripAdvisor’s annual awards, and 11th on the global scale.

With valleys and hills begging to be explored and the 12th-century ruins of a monastery in Bolton Abbey Estate to whet the history appetite, the area is quickly entering a league of its own for retirees.

Average property prices here are quite expensive, but if you want to immerse yourself in the world of nature, you will often face a premium.

Still, the Yorkshire Dales is certainly one of the best places to live in the United Kingdom.

28. Oxfordshire

Average property price: £442,439 (House Price Index)

Average rent: £2,336 PCM (home.co.uk)

Another southern entry on this list, the county of Oxfordshire in South East England is known worldwide for its crowning university city Oxford, but there’s so much more than education going on here.

Overflowing with historical sites, restaurants, castles, and even a nearby zoo, the county is filled with an unquestionable charm, drawing in thousands each year.

With picturesque retirement villages to explore and striking natural scenery, the allure of Oxfordshire is sure to tempt anyone looking ahead to retirement.

The area was voted one of the best places to retire UK 2017, and it’s still true in 2024.

Prices here can be incredibly steep, with average house prices just over the £440,000 mark and Oxford itself nearly £460,000.

However, if you have the money, you will not find a more ideal retirement spot than this.

If you want to live in one of the top places to live, and one of the best places to retire UK in 2017 and 2024, be sure to consider Oxfordshire.

29. Durham

Average property price: £216,038 (Zoopla)

Average rent: £1,278 PCM (home.co.uk)

Perfect for its location and easy access to some of the most beautiful spots in the UK, Durham may not be the most obvious answer for retirement but dig a little below the surface and you will find a city with immense possibility.

There’s plenty to keep you entertained in Durham, with an eclectic mix of restaurants, museums, parks, and castles.

Nature lovers can get their fill, too, with access to the North Pennine Grouse Moors and Derment Waterside Park, amongst others, to provide a peaceful and serene environment.

If you want a top contender for UK best places to live, then consider Durham.

30. Lancaster

Average property price: £208,451 (Zoopla)

Average rent: £959 PCM (home.co.uk)

Located in the North West county of Lancashire, the city is one of the UK’s best places to live and has a storied past.

From the proud medieval Lancaster Castle to the Lancaster City and Lancaster Maritime museums, history buffs who want their city overflowing with character are sure to find Lancaster an attractive choice.

The city also offers fantastic woodlands and green space in Williamson Park, and you can also explore the jaw-dropping scenery of the Lancaster Canal.

With house prices sitting at an average of £208,451, Lancaster offers an incredibly affordable place to live, making it one of the best places to retire in UK areas.