FARNHAM has been listed as the fifth best place to retire in one out of four categories according to research carried out by credit checking firm Experian, with Guildford coming in third and Woking securing sixth place.

Experian delved into the soaring number of pensioners throughout the UK and divided them into four separate categories, later working out where the individuals in each group are likely to be living.

These groups consisted of Smarties (senior market town retires), Diamond Days (some of the UK’s most affluent retirees), Senior Security (those retiring to the seaside) and Vintage Value (some of the poorest retired populations).

Farnham among other Surrey cities and towns, was placed in the Diamond Days category. The report stated that retires in this group are those who have stepped down from high-earning roles to enjoy a comfortable retirement in large, mortgage-free houses, that were once home to their families.

It also noted that this group which is smaller than the others consisting of around 520,00 people, typically has a great deal of disposable income and likes to spend it; are older retired couples; are no longer financially responsible for younger generations; live in four or five bedroom homes; are clumped together in the south east of England and travel extensively.

Richard Jenkings from Experian, said: “Old age and retirement used to be a more homogenous group. In the past people would go on holiday to the sea-side and then a lucky few would then retire to those same resorts. Today we still see this happening, but a rising trend is for better-off retirees to move not to the traditional sea-side resorts but instead to pleasant, often historic, cathedral cities and quality market towns.

“Furthermore, our research shows that the elderly, affluent suburbanite is a now well established fixture in parts of the UK, particularly in the south east of England. These folks typically have significant amounts of disposable income and are looking to enjoy life to the full in their golden years.

“In general they will be in better health, have higher pensions and savings and be more active than most pensioners of similar age. As a consequence, their consumption of goods and services is likely to be higher than their less affluent peers.

“On the other hand, the more financially-limited elderly are more likely to remain in the areas where they already lived. Their limited resources will have significant influence for their mobility, health and patterns of care and consumption.”