Retire to West Midlands County
RETIREMENT LIVING IN THE WEST MIDLANDS, UK
Best known for its bustling, culture-rich cities, this compelling county has much to offer nature lovers too
The West Midlands county lies in the West Midlands region of central England. It’s home to some populous, vibrant and multicultural – and cultural - hubs, like Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Coventry, ideal for fine-dining, world class arts, nightlife and shopping. But there are plenty of open green spaces too, as well as historic small towns and villages like Bournville, Alvechurch and Earlswood, for those who prefer a more tranquil pace of life.
McCarthy Stone Developments in West Midlands County
SURROUNDING AREAS
The advantage of being slap bang in the centre of England means you have easy access to all over the UK – including some incredible attractions in Snowdonia, North Wales, the Cotswolds, Stratford upon Avon Oxford, Norfolk, and the Peak District national park.
That said there are plenty of adventures to be had closer to home. If you fancy walks in the West Midlands, strolling along the beautiful Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal is a must. Covering 46 miles it gives you plenty of options, try The Bratch, a pretty spot close to the medieval village of Wombourne. Or situated just south of Solihull visit Earlswood Lakes, perfect for walking, fishing and bird spotting. In West Bromwich you’ll find the beautiful Sandwell Valley, which is perfect for dog walking and nature spotting. Or for water sports and walks, visit Kingsbury Water Park in Royal Sutton Caulfield.
TRANSPORT AND CONNECTIONS
Whether you are searching for a city retirement pad or countryside properties, West Midlands, McCarthy Stone developments are located close to transport connections and with easy access to local attractions and amenities.
While roads into the major cities can be busy, the West Midlands is exceptionally well connected by bus, tram and train. Alongside the national rail services West Midlands Railways operate trains all over the county and region – Wolverhampton to Birmingham New Street station takes around 25 minutes and you can travel from Birmingham to London in an hour and a half.
West Midlands Cycle Hire app makes go greener easier – you can hire bikes all over the county.
COMMUNITY
The friendly West Midlands is dotted with community centre and projects that welcome all, from Bridge Clubs in Walmley to Line Dancing in Mere Green and walking groups like the Sutton Coldfield Ramblers.
As well as small scale events, there are also a huge array of large well established festivals to keep all tastes entertained, like Birmingham Swing Festival, Wolverhampton Literature Festival and Moseley Folk & Arts Festival.
Fishing fan? The West Midlands has abundant attractions for anglers. You can find fisheries all over the county, like picturesque Leighton Pools set in 18 acres close to the villages of Codsall and Codsall Wood or Wassell Grove Fisheries near Halesowen which has excellent facilities.
THINGS TO DO IN THE WEST MIDLANDS
Birmingham is the beating heart of the West Midlands. This vibrant city is perfect for shopping, whether you favour the buzz of the Bull Ring or the historic Jewellery Quarter; history – from the fascinating Coffin Works to the National Motorcycle Museum and arts, from the contemporary Custard Factory to the grandeur of the Symphony Hall. What’s more Birmingham boasts ten Michelin starred restaurants as well as the famous Balti Triangle. What a feast! Wolverhampton is packed with history from the National Trust Wightwick Manor and Gardens to the renowned Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, while Coventry was the 2021 City of Culture – the Music Museum celebrating 2 Tone and more is well worth a tour. For those seeking out beautiful green spaces, there are plenty of options in the West Midlands from Moseley Park and Pool to Sutton Park National Nature Reserve.
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Retirement living West Midlands. Frequently asked questions
There are lots of variables that make this a difficult question to answer, but one simple tip is to multiple the amount you’d like to live on every year (say £24,000) by 25 (in this case the answer is £600,000). That is the amount you’d need to save. However this figure doesn’t consider things like your annual state pension, benefits, tax, or the equity you might hold in your home.
Yes, the West Midlands is a county in central England, though confusingly it is also the name of the wider region. The county has nearly three million people and include the cities of Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton. Other notable towns include Dudley, Solihull and Walsall. The West Midlands region is made up of the counties of Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire, as well as the West Midlands.
The West Midlands offers everything you could want in retirement from the vibrancy and culture of Birmingham and Coventry to leafy Solihull and Royal Sutton Coldfield, which regularly top ‘best places to live’ polls. Then there are plenty of pretty villages like Bournville, Dorridge and Knowle offering a rural setting for a more relaxed pace of life.
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