The Best New Retirement Villages In North Yorkshire

It’s easy to see why North Yorkshire might be seen as one of Britain’s best places to retire to, part of ‘God’s Own Country’ which offers city and rural life, coastline and countryside and a wealth of leisure and cultural attractions.

York nearly topped a recent report by specialists HeatingForce.co.uk which assessed the best places to retire to based on factors such as crime levels, annual sunshine, quality of healthcare, property prices and access to leisure facilities. York was No.2 in the list, behind Norwich.

With millions of people of pension age wanting to move to a property built for their needs, the best new build homes available come in many styles and offer a range of services, from age-exclusive developments that mainly offer a place to live with like-minded older-generation neighbours, to assisted living and extra care sites that provide different levels of domestic and medical help to residents who need them.

We take a look at the best current developments for retirees in North Yorkshire:

Retiring in Scarborough

The renowned seaside town is a popular one for several reasons, from its impressive range of shops and entertainment and a variety of cultural place and events, to good transport links and its two bays and tourist appeal. It is also often used for television and cinema filming. The number of visitors through the summer season not only increases the standard 60,000 population, it brings the average age down by a significant degree!

Sycamore Court from multi-Award-winning specialist developer McCarthy Stone is offering 54 one- and two-bedroom apartments for over-70s. There are views towards Scarborough Castle and the surrounding sea, and a sunroom offers a great way to enjoy fine days. On site is a bistro serving a healthy choice of dishes, and flexible care packages can be personalised to your needs. As of April 2022, prices start at £218,499.

Retiring in Pickering

Around 17 miles west of Scarborough and on the southern fringes of the North York Moors, Pickering is an ancient market town with a population of about 7,000 people. It has a fair range of shops and services of its own and is only eight miles from the nearest station at Malton. It’s around 40-minutes’ drive to Thirsk and York city centre.

With 90 one- and two-bedroom apartments and 78 one- and two-bedroom bungalows, Mickle Hill offers a great range of properties set with an 11-acre site. Available to those 60-years-old and above, these Rangeford Villages homes have a multitude of residents’ facilities, from bistro and shop to spa jacuzzi and gym. Find out more at www.rangefordvillages.co.uk.

Retiring in Filey

This charming fishing town is around 10 miles north of Bridlington and eight miles south of Scarborough. Its golden sand led to an award from The Sunday Times for ‘Beach of the Year’ in 2018 but it is a less busy resort than others along the coast. It has good road and public transport links, including a station on the Sheffield/Scarborough line. The town hosts a whole range of events from Easter treasure hunts and an open golf week to numerous food and music festivals.

McCarthy Stone has a Retirement Living development in Filey, called Brigg Court. It’s a collection of one- and two-bedroom apartments from £174,999 (as of April 2022), some of which have a private balcony or terrace, together with communal garden and lounge for socialising. There’s a guest suite and plenty of parking. This development’s central location means it’s a stroll away from a host of shops and amenities and the beach.

Retiring in Ripon

One of Britain’s smallest cities, but with a colourful history going back to Anglo-Saxon times, Ripon now mixes culture with a range of shops, amenities and leisure destinations, including its well-known racecourse. Close to all the county’s designated parks and areas of natural beauty, Ripon is also well-connected, with rail services to Leeds, proximity to the A1(M) and short journeys to the likes of Harrogate and Thirsk.

Enterprise Retirement Living’s The Red House is located just half-a-mile from the town centre and offers a range of one- and two-bedroom apartments and cottages. It has extensive facilities, including a restaurant, bar, gym, library, drawing room and hair/beauty salon, and is set in landscaped grounds. Staff are on hand 24 hours a day, and there’s accommodation for visiting friends and family to enjoy. Find out more at www.erl.uk.com.

Also in Ripon is Dawson Grange, with 28 one- and two-bedroom apartments just a stone’s throw from the city centre. Social events take place in the communal lounge, and there’s a landscaped garden in which to enjoy the fresh air. A guest suite can be hired for an overnight visit from friends or family. These are available to purchase or rent.

This article was updated in April 2022.

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