Forget England, Retire To The UK's Naturally Idyllic Country Full Of Charming Towns And A High Quality Of Life

Imagine a place to retire where the landscape unfolds with lush hills, intriguing castle ruins, and wee villages that reflect a simple, lovely life with delightful homes that bring a smile. Wales, known by its residents as Cymru, is a gorgeous country filled with over 600 castles, stunning natural landscapes, quaint and historic towns, and a friendly populace, making it a place for retirees to enjoy a life of beauty and quality. Those who like to explore could find new sights every week for decades, and those who prefer a quieter home life will enjoy having every comfort they need.

When it comes to quality of life here, LivingCost ranked Wales just behind England and Scotland, which had the same score of 86 on its U.K. quality of life index, while Wales was a very close 82. At the same time, its city of Cardiff far surpassed this with an impressive 93. Wales has become a much sought-after retirement location with retirees from elsewhere in the U.K. moving here in droves. Yet, statistics are only part of the picture. When one sees the sheer beauty of the country and experiences the loveliness of its towns and people, they often want to call it home. 

The charming towns in Wales run the gamut from big cities to tiny villages, where one will find pastoral cottages, welcoming old pubs, and walking lanes that wander past acres of picturesque farmland. Rolling hills and verdant forests form a backdrop for friendly villages that value community. It's a place where one has space, but won't feel alone. Even the large cities keep things from becoming too metropolitan, with historic architecture mixed in with modern amenities, offering both necessary services and suburban neighborhoods.

To keep active, it is not uncommon to find walking paths and small roads that offer exercise while allowing one to take in the beauty of Wales, which has its own incredible collection of wonders to explore. One will easily find a sense of community as Wales is known to be one of the most neighborly countries in the U.K., so it won't be difficult to find a walking partner, a good conversation, and much merriment. Wales also offers some of the most affordable housing in Britain, and a trip to the market will be as friendly to your wallet as the people are to their neighbors.

Healthcare is a large part of Wales' focus, with its National Health Service maintaining several health programs that offer services for all aspects of health care, physical and mental. It even includes preventative care, and if someone becomes a resident, it's all free of charge, which makes it attractive for retirees from countries which lack these options, and provides a higher quality of life. With one's health sorted, everything else becomes much easier.

Safety is also tied to quality of life, and this includes low crime — as with any country, the large cities in Wales will have higher crime than the smaller towns. Yet, even the bigger cities here score well: Swansea has the second-largest population in Wales and Swansea Bay News reports that the city is the ninth-safest in all of Britain. While Cardiff is Wales' largest city, it ranks 15 points safer than the storied capital of London on the Crime Index and Safety Scale at Numbeo. Cardiff (pictured), also ranks as the 11th safest city in the U.K. according to the Office For National Statistics.

With so many charming towns to be found in Wales, retirement options are abundant, yet there are a few standouts among them. The city most often mentioned as an excellent retirement destination in Wales is the resort town of Llandudno, on the northern coast (pictured). This colorful Victorian-era destination rests between two sandy shorelines and is surrounded by verdant green parklands. Thought to be Lewis Carrol's inspiration for "Alice in Wonderland" for its fairytale beauty, you can see the influence as you stroll along the beach, passing whimsical statues inspired by characters in the book. The Express quoted a resident referring to the town's safety, saying that "Living here is like going back 50 years." 

The region of Monmouthshire in the southeast of Wales has been ranked by L&G as the best area to retire in Wales. This gorgeous county scored especially high on health matters. Its coastal town of Sudbrook has traded smokestacks for a solar farm, making the land and the sky a prettier sight. Historic cottages in the area give it a storybook ambiance, while beaches offer views of a quaint island lighthouse. Its proximity to several larger towns means essential and emergency services are never far away.

For those who want all the recreation and wellness services of city life while being close to some truly scenic natural areas, Cardiff is quite suitable. In Cardiff, one finds a sociable and warm populace, a vibrant food scene, historical sites, and a bus system at no cost to seniors (which is true in all of Wales with a valid pass). It's a place where one can stroll along enchanting castle ruins and tree-lined streets with historic architecture, all while enjoying every modern convenience. Stargazers and adventure seekers will find the stunning Brecon Beacons only an hour away.