62% of over-55s are worried about making ends meet in retirement where they live, but 66% do not want to move out, according to new research from over-55s finance specialist Key Retirement.
Its analysis shows the most expensive city for pensioners to live in is Brighton, where the average annual cost is more than £13,266 a year, followed by London on £12,941 and Bristol on £12,058.
However, pensioners in Cardiff enjoy the lowest annual cost of living at £9,723 – around 36% cheaper than Brighton – with Birmingham and Coventry joint second cheapest at £9,897.
Despite the possibility of major savings from relocating the study shows over-55s are reluctant to move, 63% say they like where they live while 35% say they don’t want the upheaval of moving and 29% are concerned about losing touch with family and friends. Younger people are more likely to relocate, the study shows. Around 57% of 18 to 34-year-olds say they would relocate when they retire.
Key Retirement argues property wealth can be a major factor in helping people stay in their homes – on average homeowners can release enough money from their homes to fund four years of living costs. In London the average homeowner can fund seven years of living costs.
Dean Mirfin, technical director at Key Retirement, said: “Moving out of the city to save money can make financial sense but it is not an easy decision to make in retirement with the costs of moving as well as the risks of losing touch with family and friends to consider.
“But apart from all that, quite simply most people like where they live and want to stay there if they can afford it despite the rising costs.
“Property wealth can make a major contribution to increasing retirement income and enabling pensioners to strike the balance between living where they want and being financially comfortable.”