When one door closes, another opens and retirement is certainly no exception. Waving goodbye to the daily grind of working life and entering retirement is a key milestone in people’s lives and with it comes a reassessment of priorities and an opportunity to make positive lifestyle changes.
Moving in Retirement
Many people have spent a lifetime saving for this moment. According to the most recent National Census data (2021), more people below State Pension age (57%) were actively saving for retirement using private pensions than before automatic enrolment was introduced in 2012 (43%). Moving to a dream location is often top of the bucket list in retirement and with many people seeking to downsize, the emphasis is very much on location rather than property. Whether it is the quiet idyll of the countryside or the convenience and culture of towns and cities, the UK is full of desirable places to make the most out of this next stage in life. Here is our pick of the top 3 in Southern England.
Wiltshire
Bustling market towns and villages peppered with chocolate-box cottages draw many to lay down their hats in Wiltshire. From the historic city of Salisbury to the rambler’s paradise of the Cotswold Hills, Wiltshire looks after its retirees well with a community-led Link Scheme that provides transport and services to the older population.
Gloucestershire
Comprising the Cotswold Hills, the Severn Vale and the stunning Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire is a scenic choice for retirees but with the benefits of access to larger towns. A wide choice of property types ensure there is something suitable for every budget, with a good selection of houses, apartments and park homes for sale in Gloucestershire such as: http://www.parkhomelife.com/our-parks/orchard-park-homes-gloucester-gloucestershire/.
Dorset
For those who prefer sea air, Dorset offers the prehistoric geology and picturesque views of the Jurassic Coast. From Chesil Beach to Durdle’s Door and a plethora of sea-side towns in-between, Dorset is a popular retirement location. The towns of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole offer a wide scope of property prices so a retirement by the sea is a reality for all budgets.
Retirement opens up a whole new world of possibilities. Wherever this next stage takes you, the UK is diverse in both location and property type, enabling you to prioritise what is most important to you in this stage of your journey.