New pension rules: should you spend your nest egg on property? The creation of a property pension is a big decision. Where are the good buys? Should you buy near where you live, or choose another city which is seeing growth? Most people can't afford London, but Cambridge has been incredibly popular among investor buyers this year. Toby Greenhow, head of new homes at Savills in the city, says that 65 per cent of his sales have gone to buyers-to-let. Of those, 45 per cent have bought with cash - many in their 40s and 50s who are already looking ahead to retirement. Popular with buy-to-let landlords Cambridge (ALAMY) Rental yields vary from 4 per cent in the city up to 10 per cent outside, near the American airbases at Lakenheath and Mildenhall. The city scores highly because it has a strong lettings market fuelled by students, high-earning professionals and scientists. Savills" forecasts show that prices are expected to grow by 31 per cent over five years (2014-2018). This compares well with a similar forecast for the whole of the South East and 24 per cent for London over the same period. Salford Quays in Manchester has also seen an influx of investors. James Armitage of Reeds Rains says that roughly 60 per cent of his buyers are investors, attracted by the waterfront location and the buzz of Media City. A good two-bedroom flat can cost £250,000 and yields are high at 6.5-9 per cent. He says prices have risen by 10 per cent or more this year, varying between developments. For those in the South West, Bristol has been an obvious hot-spot. We see a lot of people in their mid-50s buying-to-let, but planning to move in when they get older. They choose a flat as if they are going to live in it," explains George Cardale of Savills. When pension options are relaxed in April, we expect to see an impact here. People will take money out to use as deposits on property investments. He says that newly built properties have gone up by 13 per cent this year, compared with 9 per cent in older properties. Rental yields are roughly 5 per cent and, over a five-year period, prices across the South West are forecast to rise by 20 per cent. "It is important to buy near where you live, otherwise it is hard to keep tabs on the market and hard to manage," he says. He is currently selling one and two-bedroom flats in The General, a historic converted hospital on the waterfront at £215,000 to £740,000 (01179 100354; savills.com). So there are plenty of opportunities for savvy investors to put their money to work - though it helps if they live in the right area in the first place. For sale: property solutions Cliveden Village, Taplow, Buckinghamshire: modern mews houses built by Countryside in the National Trust grounds of the Cliveden Estate. Enjoy a concierge, home deliveries and option to join the sumptuous Cliveden Pavilion Spa, £575,000 to £850,000 (01628 666367; clivedenvillage.net). Audley Inglewood, near Kintbury, Berkshire: a former Catholic seminary and spa now converted into two-bedroom apartments and cottages. Built by Audley Retirement Villages, there's a club which has a restaurant, bar, pool, health and well-being centre, £306,800 to £630,000 for 125-year leases (01488 208100; audleyretirement.co.uk). The Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, London: the Liberty is packed with two-bedroom flats with a concierge, café bar, hair salon, internet area and spa bath. Priced at £342,000 to £432,500, they were built by Viridian (0800 012 1442; thelibertyapartments.co.uk). Shared ownership is an option here. Witney, Oxfordshire: a village for the over-55s built by Bupa-owned Richmond Villages with a care home attached. One and two-bedroom apartments with a wellness spa, swimming pool, gym, hair and beauty salon. You also get the use of an IT room, restaurant, garden bar and bowling green. The cost is £225,000 to £535,000 (0844 411 9390; richmond-villages.com).