Would you downsize to a retirement village ?

Grammaretto

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-57316602.amp

Grammaretto I saw this idea too. I like it! The intergenerational aspect is a bonus, as we all have something to offer each other and the fact that there are shared communal spaces/garden, yet a key to your own space sounds a great way forward to eradicate loneliness which is a scourge to society.

We moved to an over 60’s very small (only 8 places here) retirement establishment last year. Mmmnn I had big apprehensions about it because I’m 66 but 46 upstairs. My husband is a few years older than myself. Fortunately we are one of the only ones here that is freehold so I do understand about the colossal amount these retirement places charge and quite frankly object to that. The bad side of these retirement places are you are surrounded by the elderly which reminds you every day of your own mortality. Up until 2 weeks ago every time we went out there was a particularly nosey neighbour that always came out to our car to ask us how we were, where we going etc, and trying to invite herself in for a cuppa (which she never got) as I’m not that sociable. Now we’ve fallen out with another neighbour over a hedge ? which is quite frankly ridiculous but he thinks he’s the hedge cutting police! I like to keep myself to myself and don’t like being accosted every time I go out especially if I’m in a hurry. I went to the jubilee party and felt like it was in a nursing home as we were all sat around in a circle etc. To my utter dismay my husband’s just got a diagnosis of dementia so quite frankly I’m devastated about that too and living here amongst all these oldies I feel like I’m in Gods waiting room and feel like a fish out of water. I probably won’t stay here indefinitely but we’ve started doing it up so will have to finish now we’ve started to be able to sell it eventually. For the next year we’ve decided to stay put, maybe have 1 or 2 last holidays together before he gets too bad and then I might look at a small retirement bungalow or flat with balcony. We bitterly regret moving from our old home to this place as we’ve not only lost money but feel like we’ve moved to a goldfish bowl in a child’s playground where if you don’t do as your told you upset the other residents. I’d personally advise anyone unless you love the ‘social interaction’ of community or your under 80 stay well clear of this sort of environment. As for the positives, I’m still thinking on that!

I regularly get invitations from companies about retirement properties and the impression I get is that they are very expensive, and difficult for your kids to sell on after you are gone. I know a couple who live in a retirement property and seem to love it but they don't have kids so no issues with family coming to stay etc.
My plan is not so much to downsize but to 'downprice' by moving 'up north' to be nearer family but still have the space I'm used to. I need to de-clutter but don't want to have to get rid of everything. I want to have room for friends and family to come and stay and a dedicated craft room would be lovely to keep things tidy without having to put things away. Hopefully I'll be more productive then. I don't think retirement village properties would give me enough space for that!

I moved to my ideal home 18 years ago. I am divorced (35. years ago) and when my younger daughter got married and I retired the decisions was taken that I move nearer my younger daughter and her then young child. I live in the ideal house for me. One bedroom decent size kitchen and living room , sits at the end of a block of 3 similar homes, small area at the front with gravel and some Pots of plants, large area of grass at the back which is cared for by the local authority. Open aspect front and rear. Health centre next door. I have to pay yearly for car parking on the road, but a small price to pay for the benefits I have. I would advise anyone on there own and getting older to look for something similar. I am 81 .

We have a gorgeous detached 3 king bedrooms home only 23 years old.its warm very well appointed with a really good small manageable garden we love it and it's on a small development of just 50 homes over about 2-3acres. I'll pay to have my needs met and will most likely pop me clogs here all being well, we could install a stair lift of even a full lift if needs be we do have the space. I'd loathe living in close proximity with a load of old conservative voters! All my the old farts golf mad, all the old Doris's nebr held a decent job and kow towing to their useless husband's!!!! Wowsers! It's s bad I thought I was in a nightmare!! I adore the succession of young families that move in and on from where we are and the value of properties is just right, no soap Dodgers but no snobs either......

Hubby and I have talked about this. He is a big fat no no, even if he found himself on his own. I, on the other hand said that if anything happened to him, then I would seriously think about moving into one of these retirement villages, but it would have to be local to where we live now in order that I could keep contact with friends. I only have one member of my family left and they live at the other side of the country. For me, I think it would be ideal but would also be a huge decision. Am interested on what others think.

Would drive me nuts surrounded by loads of old people... I am 71 by the way...still feel 50 ?

It would be a "No" from me. I don't like the idea of ongoing charges, or the difficulties I've heard expressed about problems selling, and lowered values when doing so. Also I love my cats (I have three), and a fair amount of privacy.
I'm currently in a two bed semi and find it a bit small compared to the three bedroomed detached bungalows I've lived in for the past 12 years!

I think with some of these after buyer has died, the sale is limited to retirees and the companies insist on acting as agent, but still charge ground rent until the property is sold. Any delay is very expensive

Avoid! My father bought a penthouse flat in a small development in the town centre. He hated the lack of variety in age groups. The charges were really high. He finally cracked after three wakes in the communal lounge in a week and bought a new build town house also in the town centre. He loved it. His flat, bought 26 years ago has barely gone up in value and when he sold he had to pay 1 per cent of the sold price back to the freeholders. One retirement development near me is 2 per cent.

Charleygirl5

MOnica may I suggest if the garden is your only bugbear at present because of its size, why do you not sort out a large area with block paving (expensive) or gravel? The problem with the latter is that it occasionally has to be weeded as does the former.

It would at least allow you to stay there with much less gardening to be done. Another option would be to pay somebody but that mounts up.

Another option is a garden share. Advertise on Nextdoor. There must be loads of young couples wanting to grow veggies and they might become friends.. I couldn't bear to live in an oldies community because I'm not a joiner. I left my half acre garden and now have a small victorian terrace in a lovely mixed age community with lots of local activities.. I hope you find a solution..

absent

My Dutch grandfather, together with a bunch of young children and completely unable to speak a word of English, left his home to live in England just before World War I started. (My grandmother followed a little later because she was about to give birth.) In his late eighties, he made it very clear that he wanted to stay in his own home and not live with "all those old people". I agree.

That is all well and good but not always possible. My mother wanted to stay in her own home, and I promised I would do my best to keep her there as long as she was safe.

At 98, after several falls the local authority wanted her to go into a care home. They thought I would disagree. They were wrong. Being at home was too much for her and it had become too much for me.

It is entirely selfish to expect your family to look after you so you can stay at home when it has become inappropriate. My mother lived in her care home into her 100th year. She was cared for and, I would say, loved and I was able to be a daughter rather than a carer.

There is no one answer.

If leasehold .Get all your facts of what you can and can't do firmly in your head
And investigate the people managing the site

1. no
2. hell no
3. Insert expletive of your choice no

I might relocate to somewhere easier to manage but it would still be a separate dwelling, no a flat and not any kind of old persons village/complex/home

I worked in one for over six years and never in a million years would I move into one!

My Dutch grandfather, together with a bunch of young children and completely unable to speak a word of English, left his home to live in England just before World War I started. (My grandmother followed a little later because she was about to give birth.) In his late eighties, he made it very clear that he wanted to stay in his own home and not live with "all those old people". I agree.

I had a cruise once and only once, to have a holiday a year after my husband died, I was worn out by then.

Saga and you would not believe the number of people who took a saga cruise time after time, they said it was cheaper than a good care home. A couple of people were in Mc carthy apartments with extra care, they could lock up and leave. It was eye opening tbh and they were known by name to the saga crew.

Not likely..

Because most are far too expensive for the average person M0nica. I remember going to see one of the communities in York when my parents were considering a move. It was lovely but the additional cost was very high. There was a care facility on site that you could move into should the need arise, but this added to the overall costs from when you moved in.

They are a great idea but out of the reach of many. They will have to put up with something rather less sumptuous, but others will enjoy these, I have no doubt.

It would help if retirement communities offered a greater variety of properties. For many a small one bedroomed flat is sufficient, but others want more bedrooms, bigger living space, hobby space and so on and i cannot think of any good reason why developers cannot build such mixed developments.

The first retirement community was built by the Joseph Rowntree charity in York. A friend of mine lives there. She has a large and roomy 2 bed bungalow. Both bedrooms have ensuite and every thing is designed to be comfortable for wheel chair users, wide doors, big rooms, a huge living room. All the accommodation is on the ground floor. Along one wall of the living room is a straight staircase, carefully designed and sited to make it easy to fit a stair lift.

It goes up to a cavernous loft area, plastered, carpeted and with lots of roof lights.It is for whatever the owner wants.

My friend is a musician, who plays chamber music, and she uses it as a rehearsal space. Other residents use them for railway layouts, libraries, studios, someone has a fully equipped workshop up there.

Why are there not more developments like that?

The very thought of living surrounded only by other older people, puts me off altogether. Not the finances, as such. I like diversity, and most of my friends are much younger than me, for many reasons.

I am enjoying this thread, some lovely outcomes and a huge warning from forsythia

My mother in law had five happy years in hers until she died last December. For my husband and his brother it is a nightmare to sell it and 10 months later they are still paying mcccarthy and stones fees. They are having to cut their losses and sell it to one of these companies that buy hard to sell properties. MIL paid £329,000 for it and they are only getting £165,000. If money for dependants is an issue, best avoided.

In short 'no'.

‘Inveterate mover!’