While Kingston offers a great starting point for many in their careers, it is also perfect for settling down and retiring.
The Telegraph has listed Kingston-upon-Thames as one of the best places in the United Kingdom to retire, mentioning its property prices, low crime rate, natural areas, and convenient transport links.
Kingston ranked at number 9 in the Telegraph’s list, with Cheltenham in Gloucestershire at number 8 and Westminster at number 10.
Kingston is the third cheapest London location on their list, with Merton, Sutton, and Richmond getting a mention too.
Properties in Kingston cost just than a half of what they do in Westminster, with an average house price of £641,000.
The Times says Kingston offers “better value than nearby Wimbledon or Richmond”.
While it lacks a picturesque village feel, Kingston is often ranked as one of London’s top shopping centres.
It also has convenient links to London, with trains to Central London taking less than half an hour, and a bus network offering regular services to Wimbledon, Sutton, and Croydon.
It is also very scenic, with its riverside location offering an attractive view for residents and visitors.
Dan Miller, of Savills, said: “One of the main attractions for those retiring or downsizing in the Kingston area is being able to live by the water.
“What we also see among downsizers is a desire to prioritise an active and social lifestyle, so having great shopping, restaurants and cafés within easy reach is particularly important to them.
“The Rose Theatre, in central Kingston, is extremely popular and there’s a range of sporting options from tennis and golf to rowing, and plenty of green space for walks too.”
The Telegraph worked alongside Savills Research to examine key factors, like the number of hospitals, GPs and dentists per 10,000 people and the availability of shops and green spaces nearby.
Crime levels, apart from fraud, were also taken into account before the figures were cross-checked against average property prices.
Frances McDonald, of Savills Research, said: “Owner-occupiers aged 65-plus hold an estimated £2.6 trillion of net housing wealth, with many having reached the point where they have paid off their mortgage debt.
“In some cases, these movers are likely to reconsider the location of their home to ensure the convenience and proximity of local amenities and health services, so they can be less reliant on others in later life.”
