RETIREMENT APARTMENT LIVING ?

Yes, that is how petty it can get. We lived in two retirement flats: one in Worthing and one in the West Midlands. Lovely flats, very safe and great for going on longer holidays. The tenants meetings can get quite petty and we tended to avoid them. We eventually moved back to a house as we missed our own garden and we missed the space we now have. Nothing wrong with flats, just not for us ever again.

I was thinking about downsizing into a retirement flat but being with people of my age and older I've decided would NOT suit me. I'm currently enjoying working with younger people - they are open to new ideas; challenge one's opinions and don't so easily take offence; in fact they keep me on my toes and I love it. Living with older people would, I think driver me pottier than I am so I'm now looking at houses and being part of a community.

I really don't like the idea of living among people of just one age and think that a lot of old people grumble and only talk about themselves. No not for me.

These flats are a nightmare for your family to sell when you are gone and they still have to pay the huge service charges until it is sold. I think they also have to pay a fee to the freeholder in addition to normal selling fees.

Just think how much care you could buy in for the cost of living in one of these. Then you could live somewhere with neighbours of all ages.

I would endorse the statement about being a nightmare for the family to sell - my Dad's sheltered home took ages to sell and eventually we had to let it go for a song. And all that time we were paying charges for nothing. Even when he was alive he did not get much for his money: the small patch of grass outside mown and a phone call each day to check he was OK - in spite of the fact that it is generally recognised that this sort of phone call can be counter-productive as elderly people rush to get to the phone and fall over!!

I don’t live in a retirement apartment for the reasons Nonnie and golden girl have stated- I don’t like the idea of living with old people! Having said that, I have made friends in my apartment comp,ex with people who are nearly all retired. I do, however, love living in my apartment. It is safe, modern, and trouble- free. Because it is a fairly new build the insulation is excellent, and my heating costs are low. However, the service charge is high. It includes water rates and building insurance, and all external repairs and decoration, and upkeep of the attractive gardens, so I offset the cost of those against the service charge, and it doesn’t seem so bad.

I have not heard much that is good about these apartments. Some one I know bought one and it was agreed her dog could go with her. After she had paid and ready to move in she was told that the Committee of Residents had decided they did not want a dog there. She had to give it away. It was only a small dog.

I am looking at a part ownership bungalow, the people there have grandchildren near so the little Grove does have young visitors coming. Just need to sell my house only two viewings since 17th August. I have not got a sign outside but it is on all the usual sites. Do not feel I want people locally knowing I am moving. Quite a few houses near me sold quickly earlier in the year.

Nowadays, when so many flats of all kinds and for all ages are being built or have been built, it should be easy and simple to buy a ground floor flat in the location of your choice and just buy in such caring services as you need when you need them. Much easier to sell, with no kickbacks going to the builder and the probability that one's neighbours will be more diverse in every way.