Retiring in England? Here are the top destinations

Posted on May 17, 2017

Whilst the impact of Brexit is yet to be known, one thing that may become trickier is relocating to the continent after Britain leaves the EU. It’s a change that will affect those at the end of their working life as well as those near the start, as in the past many have chosen to live outside the UK for their retirement years. Thankfully, whether your plans to move to Europe have to be shelved, or you were always intending to spend your retirement in the UK, there are plenty of popular retirement destinations throughout England to consider.

North Yorkshire’s rural district of Craven is a popular retirement choice. Taking in the market town of Skipton, together with the larger towns of High Bentham and Settle, as well as a sizeable area of the Yorkshire Dales, Craven offers the best of both town and country living. The high street in Skipton is a past winner of the ‘greatest street in England’ from the Academy of Urbanism, which considers such factors as environmental and social sustainability, local character and distinctiveness and user friendliness. The average house price is around £205,000, with a detached house costing about £310,000.

West Devon is another area to consider. The variety of landscapes is by far the most attractive feature of this part of England, with chocolate box villages, agricultural landscapes and Dartmoor National Park providing a picturesque backdrop to your retirement. Average house prices come in at just over £250,000, although you can find semi-detached properties for under £200,000. One drawback is that travel can be an issue, with no mainline stations in the area and at least a three hour train ride into London from the nearest stations Exeter and Plymouth, so bear this in mind if you have reason to venture out of the county regularly.

If you’re looking for somewhere with a name as evocative as the place itself for your retirement, then Eden in Cumbria could be the right choice. A rural haven, Eden offers you part of the Lake District National Park, the lakes and mountains of Ullswater, the beautiful countryside of the Eden Valley and the breathtaking landscape of the North Pennines. Eden also has only 63 people per square mile, making it the place with the lowest population density out of England’s 324 local government districts. The average house price is a remarkably low £190,000, and you could easily pick up a flat for under £125,000.

Please note that the information and opinions contained in this article are not intended to be comprehensive, nor to provide legal advice. No responsibility for its accuracy or correctness is assumed by Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers Ltd or any of its members or employees. Professional legal advice should be obtained before taking, or refraining from taking, any action as a result of this article.

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