Retirement News : Seniors : Norfolk a retirement hot-spot - survey

Norfolk a retirement hot-spot - survey

Date Added: 01-04-2005

31 March 2005 07:40

A national survey has revealed something that thousands of people living here already know – Norfolk is a great place to retire to.

King's Lynn and Fakenham are both highlighted in the poll by Yours magazine as among the top 10 places in the country to kick back, take it easy and enjoy that new-found leisure time.

Lynn made number three on the list, with the magazine praising its flat terrain, easy-access buses, large number of clubs, low burglary rate and house prices well below the national average, with Fakenham polling sixth.

Although it did not make the top 10 in the survey, Wells was also singled out with its low crime rate making it a desirable location to retire to.

West Norfolk mayor Paul Brandon welcomed the accolade, and said he hoped schemes that are underway in the town, including the town centre redevelopment and the Nar-Ouse Regeneration Area, which will create new homes and jobs, would attract all age groups.

"It's certainly pleasing news to know that we have lots to offer the older age group," Mr Brandon said.

"It is an exciting time here with all the changes that are taking place and hopefully it will make it more desirable to the wider community," he said.

Despite its reputation for "bracing" weather because of its position on the North Sea coast, Skegness came first in the poll.

Southend-on-Sea came second in the survey, published today, for the magazine, which is aimed over-50s.

Other places in the top 10 included Spalding, Llandudno, the Shetland Islands, Exmouth and Poole.

Regional winners included the coastal resorts of Rhyl in North Wales, Weston-super-Mare in Somerset and Herne Bay in Kent.

Yours researchers visited 60 destinations in the UK, judging places on house prices, average hospital waiting times, crime rates, the council tax rate, things to do, beauty spots, weather and ease of getting about.

Editor Valery McConnell said: "Who'd have thought it? Skegness followed by Southend-on-Sea - two of our most traditional seaside towns which are suitable for so much more than a day trip.

"Both are real winners on the cost of living, the ease of getting around and the huge range of leisure activities, clubs and societies which make them great places for year-round retirement living.

"And despite Skegness's bracing reputation, its average weather statistics are actually on a par with Gloucester, which came 10th."

Boston in Lincolnshire had the lowest house prices, Grange-over-Sands in Cumbria had the best hospital waiting times and Wirral on Merseyside the best weather.

The Isle of Arran in Strathclyde was best for beauty spots, with Southend having the best council tax rate and Rhyl the best free or subsidised transport.

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