A small city with just over 130,000 inhabitants has been praised for its beauty and shops – and it’s been crowned the best place to retire in the country. While the UK offers endless locations to choose from, the historic city has been described as brilliant for pensioners as it boasts the perfect combination of accessibility, natural beauty and a wealth of activities hailed by locals and visitors alike.
Exeter, in the south west of England, was awarded the accolade by the Telegraph due to its incredible local scenery, including the nearby South Devon coastline, Dartmoor and the River Exe, as well as easy access to good quality healthcare and public transport.
“Generally, older people [move] down because [if] they’re near the city centre, there’s good access to restaurants and also a lot of them love being around the cathedral,” Duncan Medlock, managing director of the estate agent Cooksley’s, told the Express.
“It’s a hub of activity around the cathedral, there are some really nice tours and the underground caves.”
Though a small city, Exeter has a spectacular cathedral. Described as the city’s “beating heart”, the building was completed in 1400. Its green is home to the Christmas market comes winter.
The looming arches of the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and stunning Tudor frontage of the Old Centre are also firm favourites of both residents and tourists.
Its city centre is also great for shopping and attracts people from across Devon and even Cornwall. It boasts popular chains, but also thriving independent cafes and restaurants.
“We’ve got a lot going on around Exeter. A lot of [retirees] are downsizing. Quite a lot are moving from London to be near family and for a different way of life,” Duncan added.
Some of the best shops in the city include independent lifestyle store Moko, eco-friendly homeware shop No Guts No Glory and the quirky gift shop Hyde and Seek. Shoppers can also enjoy big chains such as IKEA, John Lewis, River Island, Next, Zara, H&M and more.
Research from retirement company Regency Living in June this year revealed the south west is the downsizing capital of the UK, with 43% of people aged 50 or over downsizing compared to the national average of 38%.
Naomi Ryan, owner of Naomi J. Ryan, an independent estate agent a stone’s throw from Exeter Cathedral, was raised in the city as a child but later moved to the countryside. She said Exeter’s accessibility is a highlight for retirees.
“Topsham Road is one of the main roads coming into the city so there’s regular bus routes or if you are active from the Buckerell site and Adlington [retirement homes] you are able to walk,” she told the Express.
“Exeter offers so much and is close to both the coast and moors… the city centre offers an abundance of shops and restaurants, the cathedral, museums and green space. [There’s] always lots going on,” Naomi added.
Exeter has nine railway stations within its city council district, but also its own airport – and is an hour and a half from Bristol Airport.
“You are lucky to have everything on your doorstep, and the best bit about Exeter is the M5, meaning you can get to Somerset quickly for a day out,” a resident wrote on Reddit.
Another added: “I used to think it was slow, boring and generally not nice. This is until I moved around and experienced other areas in the UK. It is a lovely place to live with so much on your doorstep. It’s more diverse than it had been in the previous decades.”
House prices in the city are not cheap, however. Property website Rightmove reports that the average property price in Exeter was £329,969 over the last year – with an average price of £295,129 for terraced houses and £482,437 for detached houses.
Resident James Hornblower told the Express that retirees flocking to the city wasn’t all good news as “all the young people get forced to leave”.
“Property prices are so high and entry and graduate level jobs are rare compared to other cities,” he explained.
“It’s just coffin dodgers and an atrophied nightlife. The only people who want to come here are retired people.”
A spokesperson for Exeter City Council previously said: “Exeter’s appeal lies in its blend of natural beauty and practicality. The city offers proximity to Dartmoor National Park, miles of pristine beaches, and a well-connected public transport system.
“Its small, accessible layout ensures retirees can enjoy a relaxed pace of life with all the necessary amenities nearby.”