London, the bustling capital of the UK, has been ranked among the worst places to retire. A recent study conducted by Compare the Market aimed to identify the top locations for an ageing population in the country. This investigation involved analyzing 32 of the most populated towns and cities, considering various factors such as the number of people at retirement age, the presence of care homes, the quality of the healthcare system, life satisfaction, average weekly care home costs, and the abundance of amenities like parks, bingo halls, and fish and chip shops.
London’s low ranking can be attributed to several reasons. Firstly, the city scored poorly in terms of the percentage of the population at retirement age, with only 13.2% falling into this category. Additionally, the number of bingo clubs per 10,000 pensioners was significantly low at 0.3. However, London did receive high marks for its healthcare system, boasting a score of 70, and the number of parks available per 10,000 pensioners, which was recorded at 10.
Interestingly, despite its shortcomings in certain areas, London achieved a respectable life satisfaction score of 7.4 out of 11. This finding suggests that while retirees may face challenges in terms of affordability and specific amenities, they still find a level of contentment in the vibrant and culturally diverse city.
Although London may not be an ideal destination for retirement due to high costs and a limited number of specific amenities, it is important to note that individual preferences and priorities differ. For some, the allure of the capital’s vibrant atmosphere and world-class healthcare system could overshadow these concerns.