Thinking about saying sayonara to the UK's often-gloomy streets for some warmer climes once retirement hits? Sure, you could move to one of the best places to retire in the UK, but with the cost of living rising, a tough housing market and an increasingly stretched NHS, many of us are dreaming of packing things up and stretching our pensions by relocating abroad.
However, not all places have what it takes to let you live stress-free well into your golden years, so choosing where to live once your working life ends is no easy decision. There are the usual hotspots for Brits, with major cities in Spain and France the obvious choices – but prices are also increasing in many of the biggest tourist destinations.
Jonny Christie, co-founder of The Property Buying Company has shared the destinations in Europe to add to your retirement wish list that offer the best value for money without taking away the appeal of a retirement abroad. In particular, he advises going just a tad further away from the big names where retirees will still find gorgeous beaches, affordable healthcare and houses that are considerably cheaper than the UK.
Retirees may need to be slightly more selective than they were ten years ago, retiring to central Lisbon, Palma or the Costa del Sol is a completely different financial proposition to choosing a smaller town 30 or 40 minutes away. “For retirees who are flexible on location, that's where some of the biggest savings can be found. You don't necessarily need to compromise on sunshine, access to amenities or quality of life; sometimes moving half an hour inland can take a significant chunk off the cost of buying or renting.”
“I'd also strongly recommend renting before buying. Spending a few months somewhere gives you a much better understanding of the area, healthcare, transport and what everyday life actually costs. A destination that feels perfect during a two-week summer holiday can feel very different when you're living there throughout the year."