Amersham and Chesham has been crowned the best place to retire in Britain, according to analysis from Legal & General Retail.
The Buckinghamshire constituency topped the rankings out of 632 areas nationwide, thanks to a strong showing across key measures of retirement wellbeing.
The study assessed every British constituency using six key pillars: housing, health, community, finances, access to nature, and local amenities.
Each area was scored out of 100 to offer a rounded picture of where retirees are most likely to enjoy a high quality of life.
Amersham and Chesham, nestled in the scenic Chiltern Hills, scored an impressive 74 overall.
It led the way in health, scoring 93, driven by high proportions of over-65s in good physical and mental health and strong access to medical services.
Financial security (78), nature (72), social and community life (69), housing (66), and local amenities (64) also contributed to its leading position.
Other high-ranking areas include Beaconsfield (Buckinghamshire), Dorking and Horley (Surrey), Godalming and Ash (Surrey), and Mid Sussex (West Sussex), illustrating the dominance of the South East in retirement wellbeing.
Scotland and Wales also had standouts, with Mid Dunbartonshire (East Dunbartonshire) and Monmouthshire (Gwent) taking top regional spots.
Meanwhile, London constituencies largely underperformed in financial security but made up ground in access to amenities, with Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner placing 14th overall.
The financial wellbeing pillar emerged as particularly influential in the rankings.
It considered factors such as pension income, cost of living, and housing affordability. Constituencies like Sheffield Hallam (South Yorkshire), West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine (Aberdeenshire), and Tatton (Cheshire) were among the best performers in this category.
This emphasis on financial stability mirrors findings from an earlier study by L&G and the Happiness Research Institute, which revealed that the happiest retirees typically have a monthly income of £1,700.
Yet only 38% of retirees meet or exceed this level, and those with guaranteed incomes, such as through annuities, report less stress and higher financial confidence.
Health outcomes were also central to the analysis. Winchester and Beaconsfield joined Amersham and Chesham as top performers in this area.
The study examined access to healthcare services and the general health status of older residents.
Social connection played a notable role, with Fylde (Lancashire), Lowestoft (Suffolk), and Dorking and Horley (Surrey) leading in community-related indicators.
Housing suitability for retirees was another key pillar, with Bristol Central, Gloucester, and Bournemouth East topping this category.
Access to nature and local amenities also shaped the final rankings. Castle Point (Essex), South Holland and The Deepings (Lincolnshire), and South Cambridgeshire excelled in natural environment measures.
London constituencies such as Cities of London and Westminster, Holborn and St Pancras, and Islington South and Finsbury ranked highest for amenities, along with Dwyfor Meirionnydd in Wales and Glasgow East in Scotland.
Lorna Shah, managing director, Retail Retirement at L&G, said: “This research gives us a more complete picture of what shapes a happy later life. It’s not just about one factor – it’s the combination of health, social connections, environment, and financial security that all play a part in retirement wellbeing.
“Financial security in particular, is an enabler for many of the other measures, giving people the freedom to choose where and how they want to live in later life.
“Our research has shown that having enough set aside can greatly improve retirement wellbeing and a guaranteed income, through products such as an annuity, can lessen anxiety and create a greater sense of certainty. It’s the difference between simply getting by and really enjoying this next stage of life.”
