Newly retired move to cultural cities or the shires

God’s waiting rooms are undergoing a transformation. For decades, many of Britain’s coastal towns have been synonymous with blue rinses, bingo and tea dances. Places such as Bournemouth, Eastbourne and Worthing have been seen as retirement havens for generations of pensioners, keen to take the sea air just as their Victorian predecessors used to.

But according to an analysis of demographic data, many of today’s wealthier pensioners are turning their backs on traditional retirement destinations with a “grey influx” into upmarket towns and cities in some of the UK’s most sought-after inland locations – such as in the Cotswolds, and parts of Hampshire and Kent.

The shift is driven by an increase in the number of people reaching retirement age, coupled with rising levels of wealth. In 1945, life expectancy at birth for men and women was 63 and 68 respectively. In 2009 it is 78 and 82.

The dramatic increase in the number of over-65s means that by 2019 there will be 2.4 million more than today. But the traditional coastal retirement resorts, which grew to meet burgeoning demand from the postwar middle classes, have not been able to accommodate the demographic shift.

Research from Experian, the consumer research and credit rating agency, charts the trend. Changes to its giant Mosaic database – which divides the UK population into socioeconomic and lifestyle groups – show a much larger proportion of older people moving to the most desirable parts of the country, often funding this by selling their mortgage-free homes. And where coastal destinations were once the vogue, many are now looking to inland market towns, historic cities and major cultural destinations.

“People want to spend more of their retirement in the country, in areas of attractive scenery,” said Richard Webber, visiting professor of geography at University College London, who helped develop Mosaic. “And they are choosing to live a long way from London and other major population centres.”

Webber said around half of those reaching retirement age choose to carry on living in their own home, or at least in the same area. But of those with above-average wealth, around 60 per cent choose to live somewhere else. Half of these now select less traditional retirement destinations.

“A lot more older people want to retire to places of historic importance, places that have orchestras and festivals,” said Webber. “They’re looking at historic market towns and cities, places like Bath and Cheltenham, cathedral cities and university towns where there are beautiful buildings.”

The new pensioners

As a result of its extensive social mapping of the UK, Experian has identified five new types of retiree.

Beachcombers

This group reflects the growing trend for the middle-class retired to select smaller communities, many on the coast or a river, rather than larger resorts. Popular destinations: Barnstaple, Newport (Isle of Wight), Carmarthen, Inverness, Kendal, Newton Abbot.

Balcony downsizers

Higher-status retired people in their 70s and 80s, who live in privately owned or leasehold apartments in purpose-built blocks of flats suitable for those too fragile to cope with the upkeep of houses and gardens. Popular destinations: Worthing, Boscombe, Edinburgh, Southend-on-Sea, Barnet, Kingston upon Thames.

Golden retirement

People with accumulated assets, who pick prestigious retirement communities. They lead busy social lives, drive and garden. Popular destinations: Exeter, Southampton, Poole, Chichester, Norwich, Canterbury and Ipswich.

Bungalow quietude

Retirees with modest pensions, living in older-style bungalows, often in less well-off areas unattractive to younger families. Popular destinations: Blackpool, Rhyl, Scarborough, Plymouth, Nottingham, Peterborough, Newcastle upon Tyne, Lincoln, Leicester.

Country-loving elders

People on comfortable incomes living in former farms or older-style properties in quiet villages and market towns. Popular destinations: Truro, King’s Lynn, Hereford, Carlisle, Shrewsbury.