Brighton and Hove, Newcastle upon Tyne, and Bournemouth revealed as the best cities to grow old in.
- Confused.com ranked major UK cities against 17 factors, including public transport, community wellbeing, and access to age-friendly spaces.
- The number of people aged 90 and above living in the UK has increased by 54% over a 20 year period.
- Tom Vaughan, life insurance expert at Confused.com, shares insights on the benefits of community and quality of life as we age. And highlights the importance of financial protection in later life.
Brighton and Hove is revealed as the best city for an aging population, a new study reveals.
The research by Confused.com life insurance ranked major UK cities based on 17 factors that influence the quality of life for older adults. This is to understand how well different areas across the UK are preparing for an ever-increasing older population.
Confused.com analysed factors including access to GPs, dentists, hospitals, and care homes, as well as accessible toilets and Blue Badge parking, which are key for health and mobility in later life. These provided an overall index score for each city across the UK.
The research also assessed other factors important to older generations, including public transport and access to age-friendly spaces. Everyday amenities, including shops, cafés, and green areas, were considered, alongside financial aspects such as the cost of living and property prices. Happiness and well-being were also measured using life satisfaction survey data from the ONS.
Brighton and Hove topped the list, scoring 59.45 out of 100 in the index, followed by Newcastle upon Tyne and Bournemouth.
The best cities for an ageing population
| Rank | City | Practices per 100k | Blue Badge Parking Spaces | Life Satisfaction Index | Avg Property Price (£) | Total Score (Max 100) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
Brighton and Hove
|
17
|
33.9
|
7.3
|
427,519
|
59.45
|
|
2
|
Newcastle upon Tyne
|
30.4
|
14.3
|
7.3
|
211,122
|
59.09
|
|
3
|
Bournemouth
|
14.3
|
12.2
|
7.6
|
318,505
|
58.58
|
|
4
|
Stoke-on-Trent
|
22.6
|
11.9
|
7.7
|
147,217
|
55.83
|
|
5
|
Glasgow
|
21.4
|
19.5
|
7.6
|
184,235
|
55.1
|
|
6
|
Plymouth
|
16.9
|
12.7
|
7.8
|
215,294
|
54.92
|
|
7
|
Leeds
|
21.6
|
7.8
|
7.5
|
245,512
|
54.49
|
|
8
|
Manchester
|
21.5
|
12.1
|
6.9
|
250,989
|
53.91
|
|
9
|
Nottingham
|
18.3
|
17
|
7.5
|
194,950
|
53.85
|
|
10
|
Bristol
|
12.7
|
19
|
7.2
|
367,154
|
53.34
|
|
11
|
Norwich
|
15.4
|
15.9
|
7.7
|
234,704
|
52.95
|
|
12
|
Liverpool
|
19
|
3.2
|
7.2
|
181,911
|
51.74
|
|
13
|
Wolverhampton
|
29.5
|
3
|
7.5
|
208,279
|
51.24
|
|
14
|
Bradford
|
28.7
|
0
|
7.3
|
183,207
|
48.84
|
|
15
|
Sheffield
|
22.4
|
2.4
|
7.3
|
222,050
|
48.19
|
|
16
|
Birmingham
|
19.4
|
4.8
|
7.3
|
235,269
|
47.19
|
|
17
|
Belfast
|
18.4
|
6
|
7.4
|
170,440
|
46.11
|
|
18
|
Kingston upon Hull
|
18.5
|
1.8
|
7.5
|
131,146
|
45.91
|
|
19
|
Cardiff
|
14.6
|
2.9
|
7.4
|
273,624
|
44.16
|
|
20
|
Southampton
|
17.6
|
26
|
7.5
|
236,112
|
44.14
|
1. Brighton and Hove
The analysis reveals Brighton and Hove as the best place in the UK for older residents, achieving the highest overall score across all 17 factors. The coastal city ranks highest for the number of blue badge spaces, scoring strongly for health provision, dentists, and care homes per 100,000 people. That's alongside excellent access to bus routes, train stations, and accessible toilets.
Residents also report high levels of happiness and life satisfaction. There's an abundance of cafés, green spaces, and an age-friendly community infrastructure that supports a sociable and independent lifestyle.
2. Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne ranks the highest for the number of GP surgeries per 100,000 people. But it also stands out for its excellent provision of dentists, hospitals, and care services, as well as a relatively low cost of living. The city also performs well on community indicators, with strong scores in both the happiness index and life satisfaction.
3. Bournemouth
Bournemouth ranks third, thanks to its strong access to care homes, a low starting weekly cost for care, and high life satisfaction among residents. The seaside location, combined with a high density of shops and green spaces, makes it an appealing option for later life.
4. Stoke-on-Trent
Stoke-on-Trent offers good affordability, low property prices, and solid scores across both health and community categories. It also has a strong life satisfaction score and a good spread of age-friendly facilities.
5. Glasgow
In 5th place is Glasgow, which benefits from a large number of shops, cafés, and accessible transport options. The city also scores highly for happiness and life satisfaction, although the slightly lower availability of healthcare services and age-friendly community infrastructure impact its overall position.
As the UK's population continues to age, it's becoming increasingly important for towns and cities to adapt and support the needs of older residents. Data shows that almost 19% of UK residents were aged 65 or over in 2022 - a figure projected to rise to 27% by 20721.
The number of people aged 90 and above living in the UK has reached record highs2, rising by 54% over the past 20 years. This highlights the growing need for communities that support longer lives.
With people living longer than ever before, UK cities must be equipped to support residents as they age. A well-connected, age-friendly environment can make a significant difference to physical health, mental well-being, and overall independence in later life.
Whether it's access to quality healthcare, reliable transport, or simply popping to the shops, these day-to-day factors can all impact quality of life as we grow older.
For individuals thinking ahead, these insights are a useful reminder. It's wise to think about what support will be available in the years to come, especially when choosing where to settle down.
The right location can help reduce pressure on loved ones, improve access to care, and enable people to stay active and independent for longer.
It's also an important reminder to review your own later life planning. From life insurance to care costs and retirement protection, make sure you’re financially prepared for the years ahead.
Tom Vaughan, life insurance expert at Confused.com, comments: “As we plan for later in life, things like retirement homes, life insurance, and pension planning often top the list. But it’s just as important to think about the community we’ll be part of. The UK’s ageing population means more of us will need to consider how well our cities and neighbourhoods can support us. Factors like healthcare access, public transport, and community amenities make a huge difference to our quality of life as we get older.
Planning ahead, not just financially, but also in terms of where you live and what services are available to you, is key to your wellbeing and security. As well as savings or pensions, you should ensure your environment will help you stay independent, active, and connected.
Taking steps to support your lifestyle later in life is important. Reviewing your life insurance or exploring later life protection can help safeguard your future, wherever you choose to live.”
You can find more information about over-60s life insurance here: https://www.confused.com/life-insurance/guides/over-60s-life-insurance
- ENDS -
cookie usage