‘We ditched our quiet village life to retire in London'

Telegraph

24-05-2025

After living in a rural Welsh village for more than 40 years, Susan Watson and her husband Keith turned their bucolic lifestyle on its head to retire to London.
Swapping their six-bedroom house in Wales for a two-bedroom apartment at Audley Nightingale Place, next to Clapham South tube station in south London, the couple are now nearer to their city-based children and grandchildren – but there were other reasons for moving, too.
'It was a very rural location, ideal for the children growing up,' she says of their old home near the village of Bodfari, Denbighshire, but it wasn't so suitable for those in their later years.
Watson, 72, a former textiles teacher and shop owner, explains: 'Once you retire, meeting people daily ceases in such rural conditions and can have a very negative effect on you socially.'
Then there was the issue of getting around. 'Being able to drive was a necessity,' Watson says of her former home.
The nearest bus stop and closest shop were more than one and five miles away respectively, while the main hospital was 'a distance away should a need for help arise'.
She adds: 'Surprisingly, we found our utility bills were higher than they would be in London due to our rural locality. The weather recently has become so wet, windy and cold, adding to heating bills and the constant need to clear the garden of debris.'
The couple don't need a car in London. Transport is easy, quick and free, and many options come with step-free access, she points out.
'Audley Nightingale Place was perfectly suited for transport. Close to the local shops with a large green open space to enjoy. The facilities suit us as I swim most days and enjoy the on-site cinema and bistro.'
They're also enjoying having access to a whole city's worth of entertainment. 'There is so much to do and visit. The V&A has always been my favourite, but I look forward to visiting so many other museums,' Watson says.
'Lots of coffee shops, local markets and my favourite afternoon tea. We enjoy walking in the parks and look forward to lovely picnics in the summer.'
Retirees have the disposable income and time to enjoy London
The Watsons are not alone. ONS figures, although lagged, reveal an increase in the number of retirees moving into London.
Of all the retirees who moved in 2022, 6,569 (or 3.1pc) headed to the capital, the highest figures in at least seven years, according to Hamptons' analysis of ONS data.
London's outer areas were the most popular with this cohort in 2022. Bromley came top, with 406 retirees moving into the borough. It was followed by Croydon, which attracted 347 retirees.
Barnet, Richmond-upon-Thames, Hillingdon, Wandsworth, Bexley, Havering, Kingston-upon-Thames, and Ealing complete the top 10.
'In retirement, moving home is about creating a lifestyle that truly suits your needs, free from the considerations of schooling or commuting,' says Matthew Henderson, of Strutt & Parker.
'Our latest Strutt & Parker's Housing Futures 2025 survey found that those aged over 66 value convenience more than younger movers, prioritising proximity to shops, GPs, pharmacies, and reliable public transport more than those aged 18-65. These are, of course, amenities that are more abundant in urban areas.'
The survey also shows that more than half (51pc) of those aged over 66 prefer to be within one mile of a transport hub, compared with 33pc of 18- to 34-year-olds.
Transport has been a benefit for Ann Kerrigan, 76, who recently moved with her husband to Riverstone Fulham from Warrington, Cheshire. 'Having given up our cars, we have found London transport – particularly the buses – a great plus,' she says.
Around one fifth of residents at Riverstone developments in Fulham and Kensington have moved from the countryside, according to Carsten Swift, of Riverstone.
He points to a handful of reasons why London appeals: 'Access to healthcare, both public and private, is a big factor. There's more to do in London too, with arts, culture, restaurants and other things close by. Being near family is also quite important.
'And finally, companionship. As one lady said to me, 'I'm 78. I want to walk into a pub or restaurant with friends, not on my own',' Swift says.
Over in Hampstead, Sarah James, of Strutt & Parker, says they've seen a lot of retirees move into the area over the last few years, with buyers from Oxfordshire, Norfolk, and Hertfordshire, as well as Greater London.
She explains: 'They have the disposable income and the time to enjoy city life, the restaurants, theatre, ballet, opera, all that London offers. The size of the house is less important for them, location is most important.'
While lifestyle factors tend to be important drivers of relocating to London, financial aspects can also play a key part. Generally, the financial landscape has become more favourable for this demographic, according to Aneisha Beveridge, of Hamptons.
' London's house prices have experienced slower growth compared to other regions over the past decade, narrowing the price gap between homes in and outside the capital,' says Beveridge.
'This has made the prospect of moving to London more attainable for some retirees, many of whom have already paid off their mortgage, allowing them to get a bit more space for their money whilst potentially freeing up some cash.'
Retirees sitting on considerable housing wealth have also been in a better position to weather rising rates.
As buying agent Liam Monaghan, of LCP Private Office, explains: 'Older generations are less likely to be reliant on lending. Post mini-Budget in September 2022, general market rates have cost borrowers circa 50pc more in repayments. Cash during that time has been key.'
'It all seems to run more smoothly than in the suburbs'
Susan and Simon Northcott, both 70, have spent most of their married life abroad and returned to the UK towards the end of the pandemic. They rented in Epsom, Surrey, last year while they considered their next move.
Susan, a former admissions director for an International Baccalaureate (IB) school in China, says: 'I'm not interested in suburbia. In Epsom, I had one foot in London and the other on Epsom Downs. It doesn't have the buzz. I like diversity and to see people from all over the world. I need to be around busy, young people. I want to be where the action is!'
The couple bought a five-bedroom Edwardian home in Wimbledon Park earlier this year with the help of LCP Private Office, which they found via property advisor platform, First In The Door. The move allows them to be near their two sons and their families, as well as Susan's mother, who live in the London area.
'Wimbledon is a really good transport hub. That was a big factor for us. The access is fantastic. We have the tube, tram, trains, buses and airports nearby. I hate driving,' says Northcott.
'The Freedom Pass is a complete joy. I use the tube or the bus most days. I get a kick out of using [it]. It's a real bonus.
'I also take the train whenever I can. I have a Senior Railcard, which gives a very chunky discount. I'm not a fan of motorways and traffic jams. Time is a gift that I'm relishing.'
Another draw of their new home is the proximity to high-quality healthcare and other amenities. 'If something goes wrong, you want to be near a good hospital. We signed up to the GP super easy. It all seems to run more smoothly than in the suburbs. That may be anecdotal,' she says.
Susan and Simon, a former management consultant, are enjoying all that's on their doorstep, including yoga classes, golf courses, the gym and 'wonderful open spaces'.
She adds: 'We like to eat and shop locally. We can just walk to the shops and the farmer's market. It means we can shop as we go rather than do one big shop.'
Northcott is also embracing London's cultural scene: 'If there is a show I want to see, I can just go. I saw Giant at [The] Royal Court Theatre and I'm going to the Bridge Theatre soon. I'm hoping to see Much Ado About Nothing. I don't need to go with someone. I feel safe on my own. People are respectful.'
She is a Friend of Chelsea Physic Garden and The Courtauld, and a member of the British Museum and the Tate.
'These memberships are a double bonus, because I can take someone with me [for free]. It's a treat for them and I enjoy it,' says Northcott.
She adds: 'Chelsea Physic Garden is such a nugget. Most people I take have never been. These are joyful things to do.'
'I had always wanted a place in London'
The opportunity to see friends in London was a key factor for Richard Adkinson, 78. He divides his time between Gloucester and a one-bedroom apartment at Barratt London's Hayes Village.
He says: 'I had always wanted a place in London as I love the social life in the city and I have lots of friends here.'
He is generally in the capital every other week. 'There's a lot going on in London and the transport is terribly easy,' he says.
Adkinson's city bolthole is close to the Elizabeth line, where trains into central London take just over 20 minutes.
Adkinson relishes his time in the city. 'I go to the Temple Church for music, visit friends, attend charity events and meetings, and I go to the theatre. Last time, I saw The Importance of Being Earnest at the National. I'm always doing something,' he explains.