Retirement Apartments

Being in the process of moving from a house, I did look at retirement flats. On some levels they were appealing. I liked the idea of activities taking place in a communal lounge - not having to leave the building. The room with washing machines and tumble dryers also appealed.
However, on the downside, I found them all so very cramped. Small living room and bedroom. Few 2-bedroom flats and kitchens in all of them were miniscule. Maintenance charges were exhorbitant, and none had garages (do not think were expected to still have a car). Where there was a carpark it only had limited spaces on a first come, first served basis.
So, I looked at normal 2-bedroom flats in the same area. Much cheaper on maintenance charges, often came with own garage. Good space and decent size kitchens, most I looked at had en-suite (with shower), as well as bathroom.
Guess which I am in the process of purchasing and hope to move into soon.?

If you think about it, for a fraction of the maintenance charges you could have a weekly 1:1 yoga instucter/ art teacher etc come to you!

Okay its not as social, but who is to say you'll end up in a friendly retirement building? Theyre just people and not every group gels.

And as Sara says, the whole business model works on re-sales! Even if you dont get frail they'll still see your flat as theirs to sell on at some point! They are more intrusive and restrictive than a normal rental landlord. E.g. you cant gut it and change the layout! Its never really "yours"

Bluesky My Housing Association bungalow is also supported housing we where in a first floor flat where we where first allocated for this scheme but since OH's health has slowly worsened we where allocated this bungalow all done out for people with health problems,security link/wet room/grab bars for safety/garden maintenance every 2 weeks all for an affordably rent with the services of a support officer every day if we needed her but we opt for once weekly,have a look at the HA's in your area when you feel the need to move it's worth looking at.

ThanksGlammanana will certainly enquire!

When she was in her 70s I took my mother to see a retirement flat - at the time she thought she'd like one.

The kitchen was very small, with no dishwasher, not even a half size one like she had at home. And no room for one. When she asked the (young!) sales person why not, she replied, 'They didn't think old people would want them.'

Exit my mother, highly indignant! 'As if I haven't done enough washing up over the years!'

End of that idea, and just as well. She later developed dementia, which would have meant having to move anyway, and very likely selling the flat at a considerable loss.

After returning to the UK from living abroad we looked at HA flats, as my sister in law lives in one. We bought a modern 3-bed semi-detached house in a village which was affordable for us with a small garden (for our medium sized dog). We are so glad we did, as our neighbours are a mix of ages and although in our early seventies - we don’t feel we are ready for such a predominantly ageist community.

Yes Carenza you are right. But the HA apartment would be something worth considering when one partner is left especially if no family nearby. Having said that our neighbour is 93 and living happily on her own, of course she has no mobility issues or health problems, as well as caring neighbours!