When my father died, my mother really wanted to downsize to a retirement apartment, I think living on her own she hated unsolicited knocking on the door, it made her jumpy. So I helped her do that and she was very happy there, right opposite the sea. The monthly charges were quite high, this was over 10 years ago now, something in the region of £180 I think. I can see where that money went there was a full time caretaker who lived on the premises, plus the common parts were very well maintained. After she died and we sold it, the management company took a percentage of the sale price, it was over a £1,000, cheeky b******s, they did nothing for that other than prepare an incy wincy bit of paperwork. However, it was what she wanted and it was her money. I'm glad she felt secure in the last years of her life. They seemed to have quite a lot of social events organised at her retirement accommodation, between there and her church, my mum was always doing something, I had to sandwich my visits in between her outings.
I'd love somewhere with a pool and gym, then I wouldn't have to drive there as I do now, sounds wonderful, not that I'm ready for a retirement apartment yet!