Retirement marks a significant milestone, offering the opportunity to spend your golden years embracing a lifestyle filled with relaxation and new adventures.
Whether you’re seeking a serene coastal town or the cultural buzz of a historic city, choosing the ideal location to spend your retirement can be difficult.
To help those who are searching for the perfect place to enjoy a fulfilling and comfortable environment, Moneypenny has revealed the best locations in the UK to retire, based on several factors that include the average cost of living, retirement savings needed, and variety of amenities.
Top 10 cities to retire in the UK:
| Rank | City | Score |
| 1 | Belfast | 4.9 |
| 2 | Leeds | 4.6 |
| 3 | Bradford | 4.2 |
| 4 | Preston | 4.2 |
| 5 | Stoke-on-Trent | 4.1 |
| 6 | Nottingham | 4.0 |
| 7 | Southend-on-Sea | 3.9 |
| 8 | Glasgow | 3.8 |
| 9 | Newport | 3.8 |
| 10 | Kingston upon Hull | 3.7 |
Belfast has emerged as the best city in the UK to retire to, offering retirees the best of both affordable living and a variety of activities to take part in.
The city scored high for its low cost of living, as retirees will find that the cost of groceries, transportation, and utilities are generally lower than mainland UK. In fact, according to Numbeo data, rent in Belfast is 63% lower than in London, averaging £703 per month.
Leeds ranks in second place, boasting some of the highest numbers of recreational activities for retirees to take part in. For those looking for opportunities to stay active and sociable, Leeds offers 21 golf courses for retirees to discover, providing a space to enjoy the outdoors, mingle with peers, and take part in a fulfilling hobby.
Additionally, 42% of Leeds is officially declared as green space, with popular outdoor retreats such as Roundhay Park, and Kirkstall Abbey providing both a place to connect with nature and explore the city’s history.
Neighbouring city of Leeds, Bradford, placed in third, offering a place to retire that is rich with cultural heritage and brimming with diversity.
Bradford offers some of the cheapest costs in terms of monthly outgoings for retirees, with rental costs averaging at £531.67 per month and utility costs averaging at £219.36 per month.
Additionally, those looking to retire in Bradford will need the least amount of savings to cover the cost of retirement, averaging £307,275.
The city also boasts popular surrounding destinations such as Leeds, Manchester, and Drighlington offering an easy access to bustling city centres and charming villages to explore.
Whilst Preston ranks in fourth place, other cities to highlight include Stoke-on-Trent in fifth place, offering the cheapest rental costs out of all the cities included in the ranking, averaging at £450 per month, and Glasgow in eighth with the lowest cost of living, including costs such as transportation and groceries, according to Numbeo.
Dan Marshall, Group Head of Digital at Moneypenny, commented on the study, he said: “We understand that retirement is more than just relaxation. By considering factors such as cost of living, green space, and variety of amenities, we hope to provide a guide that helps retirees find a location that meets their lifestyle preferences and ensures a fulfilling and well-earned retirement.”
For more information, please visit the full campaign page:https://www.moneypenny.com/uk/resources/blog/the-best-cities-to-retire-to-in-the-uk-and-europe/