London has been named the worst place to retire in the UK, according to a new study by an independent private healthcare group.
The research, carried out by Spire Healthcare, was based on data from 12 regions across the UK which were ranked based on their retirement suitability.
The study evaluated factors such as lifestyle, living standards, house prices, crime rate, 65+ population, risk of falling, number of hospitals and air quality.
London received a retirement living score of 34%, whilst the East Midlands ranked the highest with a score of 61%.
Recently retired ex-Londoner, Dave Mark, 66, was not surprised by the data – having fled the bustling city in favour of quiet village life 13 years ago.
He said: “I moved for the quality of life, for the space, for basic things like being able to park your car, and if people come to see you, they can park their car as well, you get more for your money and a lot of fresh air.”
Mark lives with his wife, Lisa, just outside Leamington Spa in the West Midlands, a region which ranked 5th with a score of 54.
Not only does he feel there is a greater sense of ease in his daily life, but there is also a greater sense of community.
“Unlike London, it’s less of a hustle. So if you’re even going shopping, people say good morning to you,” he said.
Mark was born and raised in London but he has become disenchanted by the city and doesn’t see its appeal for non-working people.
“It’s a working place,” he said, arguing that retired people should look to settle further afield.
The research showed an urban-rural divide in attractiveness for retirement living, suggesting people value cleaner air and greener spaces to enjoy in their free time.
Mark enjoys living in a greener area where he can enjoy long canal and countryside walks and ride his bike without hitting traffic for miles.
Mark and his wife first got the appeal for rural living when they had to relocate to Suffolk for Lisa’s job.
When she got another job, they started to consider where else would suit their needs as they were edging towards retirement, as well as wanting to still be relatively close to their elderly parents in Birmingham, London and Reading.
Improved transport links and motorways across the country mean that location isn’t a barrier for Mark to access family and friends and communities he’s always been a part of.
He said: “It’s easy enough to get into London, but it’s fantastic getting out.
“I love London still. I was brought up in London, but I do like to get out of London once I’ve been once and seen everybody.”
When he does return to London – often to support his elderly father – he has to consider the ‘hidden cost and implication’ of everyday life for things such as parking.
“There’s the hassle factor, you just don’t realise because you’re in London,” he said.
“You’re just living with it every day, but you don’t realise that is just gnawing at you all the time.
“As soon as you get up in the morning, as soon as you get ready to go out, you think, right, got to brace myself I’ve got to be alert. I’ve got to have my game face on.“
As an active person who describes himself as ‘young at heart’, Mark didn’t resonate with all the factors assessed in the study, which suggested that areas with larger retirement communities could provide stronger social networks and support for older people.
However, he describes that his local area has much on offer.
“Here, for example, they have the village quiz and a Christmas quiz and they do that to raise money for the elderly here to support them during Christmas,” he said.
“They’ve got book clubs and all sorts of things I don’t get involved in them, but they’re there.
“And once you’re retired, you could take part in them.”
He thinks more Londoners should consider moving out for retirement. He said: “It’s a no-brainer. It’s absolutely a no-brainer because you can buy a place and have change and have money at the bank.
“You have a big house, you have more space, less hassle, places to park your car, bigger garden if you wanted a bigger garden, and be in a place that’s got a sense of community.”
But not all agree with the study; there are retired Londoners who enjoy life in the city.
Peppy Forbes, 76 years old, based in Ealing, has been retired eight years.
She said: “I’m surprised that London ranks as the worst place to retire, I can’t agree.
“I have considered moving abroad but never moving outside of London.
“Most places are a microcosm of London to some extent.”
Also born and raised in London, she believes the city is what you make it, she said: “I think London has everything to offer retirees – good access to healthcare, care provision, free travel in and around town, theatres, museums, cinema, lots of open spaces and natural woodlands, Epping Forest and Kew Gardens especially, easy access to the coast and Eurostar for Europe.”
Peppy doesn’t resonate with all the factors evaluated in the study, but she appreciates living in a friendly and tolerant neighbourhood.
“Personally I don’t think it’s that important to have a 65+ community around me though it’s good to have friends and contemporaries to share and exchange meaningful conversations,” she said.
More important to her is proximity to family and friends.
While Peppy believes London is a great place to live for retirees, she understands that many want to move out due to rising living costs, but for her it doesn’t outweigh the benefits of living in the capital.
Whilst London is an urban metropolis, most local councils do their bit to provide and maintain green spaces for residents.
Ealing is known as one of London’s greenest boroughs, a feature that Peppy takes advantage of and values.
She believes other retirees can enjoy the joys of the city as much as she does.
“My advice to retirees considering staying in London is, make very good use of your Freedom Pass and any concessions for days out, theatre and cinema and meals,” she said.
“Keep an eye on your local news and what’s on in London for the best of being retired.”
Featured image credit: Unsplash
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