The Oxford English Dictionary's definition of retirement is: "the action or fact of leaving one's job and ceasing to work". It's freedom from the desk, factory, shop, or building site followed by free days to pursue everything you had to put off because work ate into your time.
But where you decide to enjoy this newly-found time on your hands and how you want to fill that time is a personal choice that no dictionary can define as retirement means so many different things to different people. Many people decide it's the time of their lives to move to a location that their new-found freedom allows – away from school catchment areas, with no need to think about access to public transport or good road links, and a wishlist that can be tailored more to a personal definition of a perfect retirement. Maybe being nearer family and friends is a priority, maybe seeking more seclusion sounds like a peaceful paradise, or maybe it's time to dive into a thriving community and try new things.
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The Sunday Times has compiled a list of the 10 best locations in the UK for retirement and each can specialise in offering a menu of aspects that make it a perfect contender to fit an ideal retirement chapter for so many people. The list has been based on different criteria that someone embarking on their retirement journey might be looking for – so Chichester is included as the best place for wellbeing while Bristol is on the list for city living. And it's not a surprise to find Cambridge in this elite 10 – ideal for anyone keen on a retirement with lifelong learning at its core. For culture the list suggests moving to Islington in north London for galleries and opera, comedy and concerts.
If you want to dive into more activities the place to target, according to The Sunday Times, is North Berwick, East Lothian. The Sunday Times says the location has two golf courses, tennis and bowls clubs, yoga and pilates studios, and walking and cycling groups. And the Firth of Forth makes a fine watery playground with kayaking from the harbour, sailing at the East Lothian Yacht Club, or taking a dip with the Bass Rock Swimmers.
For scenery Penrith in Cumbria can tempt you as a "hearty old market town, the perfect place to enjoy England’s greatest outdoors" with The Sunday Times adding: "The Lake District, with its limitless places to walk, climb, cycle and swim is a short drive or bus ride in one direction, the serene, untouristed Eden Valley close by in the other." Country living can be found in abundance in every nation but Rutland is recommended – the smallest county in England that combines rugged peaks and rushing rivers. For connections to the rest of the UK Reading is the top spot while for a holiday lifestyle you should head to the South Hams in Devon.
So that's the list, apart from the one Welsh contender, but looking at the criteria of the other places to tempt you once retirement age approaches Wales can easily compete, and probably beat, every other location on the UK list for any of the criteria – our nation has it all. But Wales makes it onto the list for its truly incredible coastline via the popular Pembrokeshire coastal town of Tenby – the picture perfect pastel-painted paradise if seaside is at the heart of your retirement. The Sunday Times says this "endlessly Instagrammable, multicoloured Georgian gem" is the standout choice for a dream retirement all about breathing fresh, salty air.
The view of Tenby from over the border is enlightening with The Sunday Times stating: "At its three magical sandy strands you can swim, sail, fish, or simply gaze in wonder at the passing porpoises and multicoloured sunsets. Spacious South Beach is the wildest, North Beach – where locals gather for a Boxing Day swim – is the warmest but Castle Beach is the pick, not too long ago named Beach of the Year by The Sunday Times for its pure and powerful seaside magic that awakens everyone’s inner child." The summary of living in Tenby goes on to say that you will never be bored with two golf clubs, a tennis club, the coast path to explore, arts, beer and blues festivals, and countless clubs including gardening, books, and a busy U3A branch.
But the practicalities of ageing are all also in place at Tenby too, according to The Sunday Times, who state "it has a doctors’ surgery, dentist, vet, bank and post office and a cottage hospital, while a new super-hospital is due to be built up the road in St Clears".
So if Tenby has captured your heart what can your property pounds get you in and around the town? According to property portal Rightmove properties in Tenby had an overall average price of £294,237 over the last year, which is substantially higher than the current national average in Wales of £245,893, according to Principality Building Society.
Overall sold prices in Tenby over the last year were 2% up on the previous year and 14% up on the 2019 peak of £257,361. The majority of sales in Tenby during the last year were flats which sold for an average price of £229,231. Terraced properties sold for an average of £356,229 with semi-detached properties fetching £325,144. We've rounded up some of the most tempting properties in Tenby for would-be retirees below.
Classic bungalow
Away from the busy town centre on the outskirts of all the traffic and visitors is the village of Penally and this single-storey dwelling is probably the first type of housing many people think of when they think of retirement living. An immaculately-presented detached bungalow situated in a quiet cul-de-sac it has three bedrooms, a large lounge/diner, and a modern kitchen and bathroom.
There's a bonus sun room at the rear that has two walls of glass from which to admire the garden, which has a low-maintenance design and raised beds. The bungalow that needs no work is on the market for £325,000 with Chandler Rogers, Tenby. Call them on 01834 849090 for further details.
Exclusive development
If being next to the sea is a must-have requirement then an apartment on the clifftop above the harbour and North Beach is a perfect position to indulge yourself. And Paxton Court is the perfect place for more peace to enjoy it as it's been exclusively renovated into a development just for people aged 55 and over.
The complex has been designed as easily-manageable homes but also providing benefits such as communal areas, a homeowners' lounge, atrium, landscaped communal garden, laundry facilities, and an on-site house manager. There's also a guest suite for visitors needing to stay over. This ground-floor three-bed home is for sale for £360,000 with John Francis Tenby. Call 01834 740051 to find out more.
Tasteful terrace
A retirement property might be a downsizing on space but it doesn't have to be a downsizing in style and this truly tasteful town centre terrace can invite you in to stay forever with neutral décor, well-proportioned rooms, and two log burners. The house has been lavished with a full renovation project that includes a tasteful and timeless Shaker-style kitchen with all expected integrated appliances and two luxury bathrooms.
No work for the new owners to do here unless they want to change the interior design so instead enjoy a stroll to the beach just a few minutes from the doorstep. This three-bed terrace is on the market for offers in the region of £425,000 with Chandler Rogers, Tenby. Call them on 01834 849090 for further details.
Newbuild
Downsize to a recent newbuild once the family have left the nest empty and you won't have to worry about maintenance – only how you're going to squash all the things you want to pack into your retirement into each day. This pretty pastel semi-detached home located just off the main road into Tenby can offer three bedrooms, one with an en suite, and a family bathroom upstairs.
Downstairs there's a cloakroom and kitchen/diner at the front of the property and a large living room at the rear that spans the width of the house and also has French doors out to a generous decked area and wraparound lawn. The house is for sale for offers in the region of £285,000 with Chandler Rogers, Tenby. Call them on 01834 849090 for further details.
Millionaire budget
Maybe you have retired early because you have won the lottery – and if that is the case then this absolutely stunning dream home high on the cliff-top above Tenby is the James Bond-style movie star abode you should be looking for. The location is exemplary, overlooking the iconic and pretty coastline along Tenby harbour to St Catherine's Island. The views expand to the horizon and on a clear day include the Gower peninsula, Carmarthen Bay, and even Devon across the water. And the house cloaked in glass is a heavenly Huf Haus design that offers incredible views from every angle with the pool and patio more reminiscent of a south of France coastal villa than a south Pembrokeshire posh pad.
With £200,000 recently taken off the £3m price tag if that win comes in maybe this is the most amazing property to retire to in one of the UK's best locations. For sale with Savills, Cardiff, on 029 2036 8900 and Fine and Country Pembrokeshire on 01834 862138. And don't miss the best dream homes in Wales, auction properties, renovation stories, and interiors – join the Amazing Welsh Homes newsletter sent to your inbox twice a week.
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