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Amy Cutmore
These are the best places to live in England and Wales for the over-50s
Looking for a home closer to loved ones, or are you after a change of scenery for retirement? Find the perfect house hotspot for you.
A change of pace, being closer to family, or, perhaps, fulfilling a life-long dream… whatever our reasons for moving home, we all want to be sure that a new dwelling has everything we’re looking for. And, most importantly, that it’s in the right location.
Everything from how safe the area is, to the local amenities, community spirit and, of course, affordability, play a role in choosing where to live. So our analysis team put 43 regions across England and Wales to the test to find out which areas offer the best experience for over-50s.
Each region was scored on criteria that have been shown to be important to the over-50s, and given a percentage based on how they ranked across safety, average house prices, square miles per pub, attractions and demographics, to help find that perfect location.
A change of pace, being closer to family, or, perhaps, fulfilling a life-long dream… whatever our reasons for moving home, we all want to be sure that a new dwelling has everything we’re looking for. And, most importantly, that it’s in the right location.
Everything from how safe the area is, to the local amenities, community spirit and, of course, affordability, play a role in choosing where to live. So our analysis team put 43 regions across England and Wales to the test to find out which areas offer the best experience for over-50s.
Each region was scored on criteria that have been shown to be important to the over-50s, and given a percentage based on how they ranked across safety, average house prices, square miles per pub, attractions and demographics, to help find that perfect location.
Credit: Anything But Grey
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The top three
Our ultimate hotspots for the over-50s
Based on a range of criteria, including crime rates, things to do and pubs per square mile (because who wants to cook every night?), these areas are our first, second and third choice for any over-50s looking to relocate.
Credit: Traveller 70/Shutterstock1. Devon and Cornwall – 79.8% suitability rating
Devon and Cornwall came out as the best overall place to live if you’re over 50. The coastal resorts in these counties are among the safest places in the country, and the beautiful landscape is home to hundreds of pubs and local attractions, from the Eden Project to Dartmoor.
2. Merseyside – 73.5% suitability rating
Second place was awarded to Merseyside. Liverpool has been dubbed “The World in One City” and is still clearly living up to that name, with its wide variety of things to do and pubs to drink in.
3. North Wales – 70.3% suitability rating
Not far from second placed Merseyside, North Wales is the highest-ranking Welsh region, with affordable housing and plenty to do; it’s a great place to relocate to.
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The safest places to live
Burglaries are less likely in this trio of locations
Not surprisingly, more rural locations top our list of those with lower burglary rates, compared to the national average of 6.4 burglaries per 1,000 households.
Credit: Helen Hotson/Shutterstock1. Sussex – 0.35 burglaries per 1,000 households
If you’re worried about the security of your home, then Sussex is a great place to start your relocation journey, as your dwelling is more than ten times less likely to be burgled than average in England and Wales.
2. Norfolk – just under two burglaries per 1,000 households
In East Anglia, Norfolk is considered to be one of the safest places you can live, with fewer than two in every thousand households reporting a burglary across our analysis window.
3. Devon and Cornwall – two burglaries per 1,000 households
The overall best place to live also comes in as the third safest, with three times fewer burglaries than the national average.
The most affordable places to live
Your budget will stretch further in these areas
Not quite ready to downsize? Then head to Cleveland, Durham or Lincolnshire to get more house for your money. Their figures compare favourably to a national average detached house price of £398,682.
Credit: Travellight/Shutterstock1. Cleveland – £294,128
In the northeast England, detached homes are more affordable than in most other areas of the country, costing just shy of £300,000. The former county of Cleveland, which includes Teesside, is an excellent place to live for walkers, as it has an abundance of hills and dales.
2. Durham – £300,363
With the average detached house coming in just over £300,000, County Durham is a good option. And for those looking for a residence in a city steeped in history, the city of Durham itself is famed for its Norman cathedral and castle.
3. Lincolnshire – £330,124
With the average detached house setting you back just over £330,000, Lincolnshire offers a lot for your money. The second largest county in England is home to the Lincoln Aviation Heritage Centre and an impressive cathedral in the county town.
The places with the most pubs
Love your ale? Set your sights on these locations
Though numbers are sadly in decline, the local pub still represents the centre of the community for many of us. Far more than just a spot for a sup of ale, pubs are often the place to find out about (and socialise with) local sports teams, rambling groups and charity fundraising committees.
And most decent pubs will hold a good quiz night or karaoke session once in a while…
Credit: meunierd/Shutterstock1. City of London – 0(!) square miles per pub
It is no surprise that the City of London comes in at first place for having a high density of pubs in a small area. You hardly need to leave your home to stumble upon a good London boozer.
2. Merseyside – 0.22 square miles per pub
In northwest England, Liverpool is widely regarded as a great place to grab a pint or a cheeky gin and tonic. And with such a small distance between pubs, it’s not much of a surprise as to why.
3. West Midlands – 0.22 square miles per pub
The largest city in the West Midlands, Birmingham matches Merseyside for its short distances between pubs – meaning you have lots of options for a sociable pint with friends.
The places with the most things to do
Keep busy in these entertainment hubs
You’ll never be stuck for ideas for day trips and nights out in these areas. They compare to a national average of 396 things to do rated 5/5 according to TripAdvisor.
Credit: Shutterstock/Pajor Pawel1. Greater London – 2,000 things to do
Unsurprisingly, Greater London came out on top, with 2,000 things to do. It really does have something for everyone, from the Royal Botanical Gardens in Kew to a wide variety of theatres, museums, shops and more.
2. Devon and Cornwall – 1,561 things to do
Popular retreats for weekends away, the counties of Devon and Cornwall prove to be great places for things to do. Fistral Beach in Newquay has gained a reputation for being an excellent surfing spot, while it would be remiss to not visit Padstow, Exmouth and Salcombe.
3. Merseyside – 923 things to do
Along with pubs, Merseyside is a place with plenty to do. The region has more than double the national average when it comes to visitor attractions. As the home of the one of the most iconic bands, you should take a trip to the Beatles Story museum and have a stroll around Albert Dock.
The places with the highest average age
Hang out with more people your own age in these counties
If you’re keen to make friends with people your own age (although we’re keen to stress it “ain’t nothing but a number”), try these areas for size. Incidentally, the national average age of the population is 43.7.
1. Dorset – 51.6
A bustling community for those over 50, the average age in Dorset is 51. This picturesque region is also home to the iconic Durdle Door.
2. Dyfed-Powys – 50.7
The only other area where the average age is over 50, Dyfed-Powys has an average age of 50.7, providing a perfect place for Saga Exceptional readers to make friends.
3. Northumberland – 48.9
Northumberland has an average age of 48.9 and comes in at third place. Containing the National Trust site of Cragside, the county is a great place to live if you’re over 50.
The scores in full
The best places to live in England and Wales, ranked
See how your potential new location fares in our survey.
| Rank | Area | Average detached house price | Sq miles per pub | Things to do | Average age | Burglary stats | Overall suitability |
| 1 | Devon & Cornwall | £389,375 | 2.26 | 1,561 | 47.9 | 2.00 | 79.8% |
| 2 | Merseyside | £400,475 | 0.22 | 923 | 40.9 | 4.41 | 73.5% |
| 3 | North Wales | £339,937 | 2.75 | 569 | 46.45 | 2.55 | 70.3% |
| 4 | North Yorkshire | £448,144 | 2.26 | 715 | 48.5 | 2.94 | 70.1% |
| 5 | West Yorkshire | £402,603 | 0.43 | 601 | 38.5 | 6.28 | 69.5% |
| 6 | South Wales | £399,193 | 0.79 | 467 | 42.3 | 2.93 | 69.2% |
| 7 | Avon & Somerset | £476,782 | 1.14 | 607 | 47.3 | 5.51 | 69.2% |
| 8 | Lancashire | £349,468 | 0.87 | 440 | 42.8 | 5.76 | 68.6% |
| 9 | Derbyshire | £365,897 | 0.95 | 257 | 45.8 | 4.07 | 68.6% |
| 10 | Nottinghamshire | £366,971 | 0.96 | 338 | 43.9 | 5.91 | 68.0% |
| 11 | Greater London | £1,323,417 | 0.28 | 2,000 | 37.8 | 8.82 | 68.0% |
| 12 | South Yorkshire | £337,838 | 0.59 | 294 | 40.1 | 8.19 | 67.7% |
| 13 | Cumbria | £392,740 | 3.42 | 475 | 48.0 | 2.75 | 67.6% |
| 14 | Lincolnshire | £330,124 | 2.70 | 323 | 45.9 | 3.92 | 67.5% |
| 15 | Durham | £300,363 | 1.36 | 80 | 44.1 | 4.33 | 67.3% |
| 16 | Staffordshire | £367,470 | 1.04 | 226 | 44.9 | 5.50 | 67.3% |
| 17 | Kent | £669,294 | 1.03 | 918 | 42.3 | 4.88 | 66.9% |
| 18 | West Mercia | £472,308 | 2.08 | 460 | 47.5 | 3.66 | 66.7% |
| 19 | West Midlands | £450,411 | 0.22 | 497 | 36.9 | 9.84 | 66.5% |
| 20 | Cheshire | £505,150 | 0.97 | 357 | 44.7 | 4.16 | 65.7% |
| 21 | Norfolk | £433,360 | 2.81 | 378 | 46 | 1.99 | 65.7% |
| 22 | Dorset | £619,526 | 1.71 | 448 | 51.6 | 6.39 | 65.3% |
| 23 | Leicestershire | £430,522 | 1.47 | 204 | 43.1 | 7.48 | 64.4% |
| 24 | Hampshire | £670,924 | 1.36 | 534 | 44.2 | 5.99 | 64.0% |
| 25 | Suffolk | £485,164 | 2.34 | 257 | 45.4 | 2.38 | 63.5% |
| 26 | Dyfed-Powys | £354,054 | 5.22 | 97 | 50.7 | 2.35 | 63.1% |
| 27 | Humberside | £359,947 | 2.44 | 162 | 40.7 | 6.00 | 63.0% |
| 28 | Essex | £629,969 | 1.39 | 390 | 42.6 | 4.84 | 62.2% |
| 29 | Gwent | £416,781 | 1.53 | 9 | 43.2 | 36.54 | 61.9% |
| 30 | Northamptonshire | £455,473 | 1.99 | 184 | 40.5 | 4.08 | 61.8% |
| 31 | Wiltshire | £527,723 | 2.31 | 219 | 44.6 | 3.8 | 61.6% |
| 32 | Warwickshire | £555,609 | 1.41 | 170 | 42.7 | 3.52 | 61.5% |
| 33 | Sussex | £751,079 | 1.13 | 6 | 45.6 | 0.35 | 60.8% |
| 34 | Gloucestershire | £578,965 | 1.54 | 79 | 44.2 | 4.32 | 60.4% |
| 35 | Cambridgeshire | £511,173 | 2.82 | 265 | 40.7 | 4.41 | 60.1% |
| 36 | Bedfordshire | £554,706 | 1.37 | 109 | 41 | 5.05 | 59.8% |
| 37 | Northumberland | £408,679 | 6.32 | 189 | 48.9 | 5.36 | 59.0% |
| 38 | Thames Valley | £781,301 | 1.27 | 370 | 41.8 | 4.75 | 59.0% |
| 39 | Surrey | £1,089,860 | 0.94 | 297 | 42.4 | 2.80 | 54.2% |
| 40 | Hertfordshire | £982,834 | 0.86 | 228 | 40.5 | 2.89 | 53.8% |
| 41 | City of London | £1,018,724 | 0.00 | 76 | 37.2 | 11.63 | 51.8% |
| 42 | Greater Manchester | £542,392 | 0.24 | 202 | 37.6 | 9.03 | 48.7% |
| 43 | Cleveland | £294,128 | 31.67 | 9 | 46.2 | 40.00 | 35.6% |
Methodology
To establish the best places to live, Saga Exceptional judged regions based on a variety of factors.
- Saga Exceptional submitted a series of Freedom of Information requests to obtain the number of domestic burglaries in each area. These stats were then compared to number of households in the area to give a figure of number of houses per burglary. Housing population stats were sourced from the ONS.
- The average age of each area was sourced from Varbes.com.
- By investigating Rightmove and Zoopla, we found the average price of a detached house in each area.
- Data from the places with the most pubs was captured from Pubs Galore.
- Data on things to do was taken from TripAdvisor. Only attractions with a rating of 5/5 were considered in the research.
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Written by Amy Cutmore she/her
Published: Updated:
Amy Cutmore is Editor in Chief for Homes at Saga Exceptional. She’s been writing about interiors for more than 20 years, harking back to the days when glossy red kitchens, toile de Jouy and rag rugs were all the rage, and everyone wanted a Changing Rooms makeover.
You’ll have seen Amy’s work at Britain’s biggest homes titles, including Ideal Home, where she served as Consumer, Technology and Group Digital Editor. She has also edited or written for Homes & Gardens, Livingetc, 25 Beautiful Homes, Real Homes, Gardeningetc, Inside Readers’ Homes, Inspirations for Your Home, Country House & Home, Top Ten Reviews, Trusted Reviews and Country Life. And she’s a winner of the PPA’s Digital Content Leader of the Year.
Amy’s homes knowledge knows no bounds – but her Mastermind-style specialist subjects include kitchen and bathroom design, and technology. For many years, she was Ideal Home’s Girl About Tech, where she spent her days pitting KitchenAid mixers against Kenwoods, attending washing machine launches (in 10 different countries, no less) and ensuring everyone who would listen knew their RPM from their RAM.
Amy rents out three properties, so is always on hand with advice for tenants and landlords alike, and is renovating her own home – a late-Victorian semi in desperate need of a kitchen extension and upstairs bathroom. When it comes to her interior design approach, she is a big fan of teal, can’t resist a statement wallpaper and loves vintage wooden furniture, whether it’s in the form of an old sleigh or a tatty trunk.
