Retire to the West Midlands
The West Midlands region has a rich culture, a long heritage, and gorgeous countryside landscapes. It’s made up of 5 counties: Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands County and Worcestershire. It’s a fantastic area to retire with diverse locations, including bustling Birmingham, historic Stratford-upon-Avon, and the cathedral city of Hereford.
Local retirees love:
- Great mix of city conveniences and quieter towns within reach of essential services.
- Fascinating history that includes modern industrial development and centuries-old heritage sites.
- A variety of cultural activities, including theatres, museums, and community events.
- Strong public transport links make it easy to stay mobile and connected.
Discover retirement properties across the West Midlands region and find a property to suit your needs.
23 retirement developments in the West Midlands
Explore places in the West Midlands area
Retirement living in the West Midlands
Whether you want to be surrounded by history, located in the heart of the city, or engulfed by nature, you’re sure to find everything you’re looking for in the West Midlands.
Activities for retirees in the West Midlands
The West Midlands offers retirees a mix of historical towns, beautiful green spaces, and more, all within easy reach.
- Shopping - Enjoy retail therapy with friends at impressive shopping centres in the region, such as Birmingham's Bullring and Grand Central.
- Festivals - Enjoy regular events across the region, from Warwick Folk Festival to the Big Feastival and the world-famous Hay Literary Festival.
- Historic sites - Visit several gorgeous cathedrals in Worcester, Coventry, and St. Chad's Cathedral in Birmingham, the World of Wedgwood in Staffordshire, or Anne Hathaway's Cottage and Shakespeare's Birthplace.
Enjoy an active retirement in the West Midlands
Our West Midlands retirement properties put you in the heart of local communities, allowing you to join social groups, nurture hobbies, or meet new friends with ease.
- Nature - For rural beauty, the county boasts parts of National Landscapes, including the Wye Valley, the Shropshire Hills, and parts of the Cotswolds, offering stunning views, forest rambles, and riverside strolls.
- Sports - Find dozens of gyms, tennis, and golf courses for all skill levels, including West Midlands Golf Club, where you’ll find the longest hole in the UK, ‘The Devil’.
- Socialising - There are many community-based social groups, including fitness classes, hobby clubs, and coffee mornings, designed to help older people stay engaged and fulfilled in retirement.
Arts, culture, and community in the West Midlands
The diversity and rich cultures throughout the West Midlands make it easy to enrich your life with new experiences and knowledge.
- Theatres - Fans of theatre are spoiled for choice, with options including the Warwick Arts Centre, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre and the historic Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
- Arts - Visit art centres and galleries, such as Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) in Birmingham, which hosts The Culture Club for older people to explore their own creativity through dance, drawing, and other artistic forms.
- Museums - Discover the region's rich history at various museums, including the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley, which showcases industrial contributions, and the Walsall Leather Museum, which explores the leatherworking trade.
Transport links and connections
Public transport and road connections are fantastic in the West Midlands, particularly in more built-up areas.
- By car - The West Midlands intersects several major roads, including the UK’s longest motorway, the M6, as well as the M5 and M42, making the region well placed to reach many parts of the country.
- By bus - Bus services are a core part of travel in the West Midlands, with reliable and frequent routes all across the region.
- By rail - There are major train stations in large cities and towns like Birmingham and Coventry, as well as smaller stations that offer services to the wider UK in relatively quick journeys. A trip from Birmingham to London takes around 1.5 hours, for example.
Homeowner testimonials: telling it like it is
We believe we create great places to live. Beautiful award-winning retirement apartments in brilliant locations with thoughtful, reassuring, services on tap and a thriving friendly community on the doorstep.
But what do people living in our communities think? We regularly ask for feedback on everything from the sales and moving in process to the lifestyle and services. Here’s what our homeowners have to say:
Browse by property types in the West Midlands
Our retirement villages and developments offer a range of property types from superb apartments to brilliant retirement bungalows.
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Our retirement developments offer differing amenities and assisted living services. Choose from two options to find your perfect fit.
McCarthy & Stone community news from West Midlands
Retirement living in the West Midlands FAQs
Yes, you’ll find a well-developed sector of retirement living communities, independent and assisted living, and homes for older adults in the West Midlands. McCarthy & Stone retirement properties are thoughtfully designed with the future in mind. We fit our homes with features such as easy-turn taps and wider doorways, and provide lifestyle support services, such as domestic and personal care.
Yes! As the West Midlands encompasses both metropolitan areas and rural settings, you’ll have plenty of choice about how busy or relaxed your lifestyle will be. The excellent transport links allow you to travel around for leisure, errands, healthcare appointments, and to visit family with ease. The multiple hospitals and specialist medical centres ensure your healthcare needs will be supported as you age.
The West Midlands has many hospitals, specialist clinics, and GP surgeries to meet all your healthcare needs. Major hospitals include:
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham in Edgbaston
- Heartlands Hospital in Bordesley Green, Birmingham
- Good Hope Hospital in Sutton Coldfield
- Walsall Manor Hospital in Walsall
- Midland Metropolitan University Hospital in Smethwick
- Rowley Regis Hospital in Rowley Regis
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