After 40 or 50 years working tirelessly, retirement can be a time to really start enjoying life, exploring what's actually on our doorstep without the looming stress of working life.
That's why many retirement dreams often conjure up thoughts of a gentle stroll up rolling hills, lunches out and an afternoon at the local bowling club where everyone knows your name.
For many, it's about finding that balance of somewhere peaceful enough to unwind and relax, but lively enough to keep the days interesting.
Add in a a tight community, a thriving food scene, and easy connections to the wider world, and you've got the recipe for the perfect retirement.
According to a new study by pension experts at L&G, that perfect place has been found. Looking into facts such as housing, health, social and community, financial, nature, and local amenities, the study found that people are happiest when they've stopped working.
Buckinghamshire, Surrey, and West Sussex topped the retirement rankings, with constituencies such as Beaconsfield, Dorking and Horley, Godalming and Ash, and Mid Sussex placing high.
But at the very top? A charming corner of Buckinghamshire that's proving retirement doesn't have to mean slowing down.
The towns of Chesham and Amersham have officially been crowned the UK's best place to retire. With their picture-postcard streets, bustling markets, and an increasingly renowned culinary scene, they offer the perfect place to keep you busy without the stress.
It's the kind of place where you can enjoy morning walks in the countryside before settling into a Michelin-recommended bistro for lunch.
Scoring 74 out of 100, the towns are tucked at the edge of the Chiltern Hills, yet just a short train ride into London to meet family or for a day out. It's so connected to the city that it is even on the Underground network, sitting at the end of the Metropolitan line.
Amersham in particular is a great place for a bite to eat, with Michelin-starred Artichoke in the old town, Japanese tapasu in Koyo, or authentic Italian at Zaza Lusso; for a town of its size, it's not lacking in top-notch eateries.
The L&G study added: "It performs exceptionally well on health, with a score of 93, reflecting a strong proportion of over 65s in good physical and mental health, as well as good access to GPs.
"It also scores highly on financial security (78), and across the other remaining pillars: nature (72), social and community (69), housing (66), and local amenities (64), making it a well-rounded environment for later life."
The south of England and the home counties dominated the top 20 list with Surrey, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire all ranking among the top.
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