Thinking about downsizing: Where are the most popular locations to retire to?

As retirement approaches, many households consider relocating to a smaller home. Known as "downsizing," this strategy has a number of advantages, including reducing expenses such as energy bills or council tax. For many families, downsizing also provides an opportunity to leave a crowded urban landscape behind and move to a more relaxing environment.

Increasing numbers of downsizing households have had significant effects on Britain's most popular retirement destinations. In a survey released this February, Age Co, the commercial arm of Age UK, identified the most popular new locations for downsizing households. The list of locations reveals the qualities that downsizers are looking for in their new homes.

Many of the most popular choices in the Age Co survey are seaside towns, with the overall winner being Christchurch in Dorset. The southern coastal town has many of the qualities most sought by retirees, including good air quality and a low crime rate. In addition, Christchurch offers access to larger, busier environments, with Bournemouth just four miles away and London within a few hours' drive. The appeal to downsizing households is clear: almost a third of Christchurch's population is made up of retired people.

Other communities mentioned in Age Co's survey share these key features of a quiet atmosphere, a healthy environment, natural beauty and proximity to larger towns or cities. Outdoor activities and breathtaking scenery put the Lake District town of Ambleside second on the list, while proximity to the Yorkshire Dales made Skipton another popular choice.

Not every popular retirement destination turns up on the survey, but the most popular destinations have many features in common. For example, West Sussex boasts a high quality of life for pensioners, and seaside resort towns such as Worthing have attracted large numbers of retirees in recent decades. Like other popular retirement locations, it offers natural beauty, easy access to larger towns like Brighton, healthy air and a wide range of activities.

Closer to home, the same qualities can be found in the Exeter area. One popular area for downsizing households is Exmouth. Like other desirable locations for retirees, Exmouth has striking landscapes; the Jurassic Coast is the only natural World Heritage Site in England. With Victorian architecture that dates from the town's heyday as a seaside resort and easy access to Exeter, Exmouth typifies the qualities sought by downsizing households.

Although downsizing and relocating offers many advantages for retiring households, it can come with some challenges, according to Volition Removals. Preparing to downsize means getting rid of furniture, decluttering the home and planning new spaces. "Decluttering can be a healthy process that helps people focus on what really matters to them," said a spokesperson for the experienced removals firm. "More than just getting rid of old books or furniture, downsizing means creating a strategy that considers how you intend to use your new space."

For communities across the country, the ability to appeal to relocated retirees will be crucial in the coming decades. Britain's retirement-age population is projected to increase from just over 42.5% of the working-age population in 2020 to over 45% by 2050. For many of these new retirees, downsizing will be an effective way to turn the value of an existing home into a secure retirement. These future waves of downsizers will continue to look for new communities that meet their needs.