DATA NAMES TYNE AND WEAR ONE OF UK’S TEN MOST SOUGHT-AFTER RETIREMENT LOCATIONS

Tyne and Wear has been named one of the most sought-after locations to retire to in the UK, offering world-class culture, history and wildlife with seductive seaside charm. McCarthy Stone, combined its own findings with the latest data from Google Trends to paint a picture of the most popular locations and what makes them such desirable places to retire to. It comes as research shows around 4.3 million  of those of retirement age would consider moving from their existing property.

Tyne and Wear featured ninth on the list behind Surrey and ahead of Cheshire, with Kent clinching the top spot. McCarthy Stone found that retirees favour Tyne and Wear due its lively events calendar throughout the year, from the Great North Run through to the International Magic Festival. It also received praise for its charming residential areas, including Gosforth, one of Newcastle Upon Tyne’s most sought-after addresses, and South Shields, a popular coastal retreat. McCarthy Stone has several retirement communities in Tyne and Wear, including Herriot Gardens in Sunderland, Elderton Place in Whitley Bay, and Clothier Manor in Gosforth.

Louise Flynn, Divisional Marketing Manager at McCarthy Stone, says: “For many, retirement offers people a chance to reassess life priorities and make the most of their later years while they can remain as active and independent as possible. For others, it’s about moving nearer to friends or family and ensuring their loved ones are nearby should they need a helping hand. One thing’s for sure – with retirement comes a need for change and often the need to downsize or relocate. I think the mix of locations featured in our top ten list really highlights that people are seeking interesting and varied places to live to suit their needs. Tyne and Wear is a great example of this, with its cultural quayside cities, sandy North Sea beaches, and landscaped Victorian parks.”

Louise continues: “Whatever the reason for downsizing, we are constantly monitoring the most searched-for locations on our website to ensure that we can respond to market demand and ensure that we build suitable retirement accommodation in the right places for those aged 60 plus.” 

“Given that McCarthy Stone estimates that around £516bn1 in equity is being held up as downsizing remains unfeasible for almost three million retirees due to a lack of suitable housing stock being available to meet their needs, this highlights the importance of building retirement communities in the best possible locations,” adds Louise. The full list by McCarthy Stone is as follows:

The UK’s top ten most sought-after locations to retire to:

1. Kent
2. South Yorkshire
3. Hampshire
4. Devon
5. Essex
6. Dorset
7. Somerset
8. Surrey
9. Tyne and Wear
10. Cheshire