The East Midlands is often overlooked compared to the South Coast or Cotswolds as a retirement destination, yet Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire both offer compelling options. While they’re neighbouring counties, they are distinctly different in character.

Both counties boast a choice between a more high-octane bustling lifestyle, or something slower paced. Each offers its own balance of vibrant city centres, charming market towns, and peaceful rural villages. Which is best for you really comes down to personal preference and what you want from your retirement.

In this article, we compare the two counties, helping you make the right decision for this next chapter.

How Nottinghamshire & Lincolnshire Compare

Nottinghamshire

Nottinghamshire’s county town of Nottingham is the regional capital for the East Midland, and it inevitably influences the whole of its county. The city centre pulses with energy and offers many amenities, though comes with the bustle and pace you’d expect from a major urban hub.

Away from the city, the county offers quieter, more rural pockets. Historically, Nottinghamshire was a mining county, and its landscapes and towns continue to be shaped by its history.

Lincolnshire

Lincolnshire is one of the largest counties in the country with vast swathes of the land used for agriculture. It offers the balance of beautiful coastline, rural villages, and quiet towns offering lots to see and do throughout.

Compared to Nottinghamshire, the county offers a slower pace and has quite a contrasting history formed by its agricultural heritage. The county town of Lincoln may be smaller than Nottingham, but it offers similar amenities, simply with less of the hustle and bustle.

Key Retirement Considerations Between The Two Counties

Transport & Connectivity

Both counties offer excellent transport links for retirees who want to stay connected. Lincoln and Nottingham each provide good rail connections to major cities, as well East Midlands Airport.

Affordability & Housing Options

Lincolnshire boasts more budget friendly options for retirees with average houses prices around £240-260k in 2025, compared with Nottinghamshire’s higher averages reaching up to £290k. For even more affordable options, both counties have park home developments throughout. Park homes are designed to be more affordable to buy and run than traditional houses, making them an attractive choice for retirees.

At Parklands of Lincoln, park homes start at £190,000 as a turnkey price, typically including all furniture and fittings. For those looking to sell their existing house and free up capital for an easier lifestyle, this represents an appealing proposition. Set in the village of Waddington, the development is within easy reach of Lincoln, with regular and reliable public transport connections to the city.

Living Costs & Pace

Lincoln may not be able to boast the scale of offerings that Nottingham has, but it remains an historic and attractive city, with its magnificent Cathedral. The growing University has also added an element of dynamism and youth to the city with a growing art and entertainment scene.

Living costs are considered similar for Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire but living in or near a major city typically comes with a premium. For those on a fixed pension, Lincolnshire’s rural setting often means lower everyday expenses like council tax variations or fuel costs.

Nottinghamshire vs Lincolnshire: Which is best for retirement?

In conclusion, comparing Lincolnshire to Nottinghamshire is an unfair proposition. The two regions complement each other harmoniously, and both have a lot to offer.
Lincolnshire does attract a higher number of retirees, because of its slower pace of life and affordability. With improved connections between the two Counties, it offers Lincolnshire an arguable advantage as the advantages of bustling city offerings such as Nottingham are within an easy commute, giving retirees the best of both worlds.

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Looking for the perfect place to retire in Lincolnshire? We invite you to visit Parklands of Lincoln. A community exclusively for the over 55s, our park home development in Waddington, a charming rural village just outside Lincoln, offers the perfect setting for retirement. Starting from £190,000, you can have a luxury park home built brand new on our site, made exactly how you like it.

To learn more about our park homes for sale, get in touch or visit us today – open for visits every Wednesday.