Retirement Villages - what do you think of them?

We occasionally get mail shots for such places, damn cheek

I'm always getting them but DH doesn't although he's older than me. I must have ticked some box somewhere years ago!

Illte there is a mix from Council housing/bungalows to a couple of mansions.
Actually, there are old people's bungalows too. ?

Read the 'Thursday Murder Club' by Richard Osman, which is based around a retirement village in Kent, and makes it sound ideal.

Oh we're all in the departure lounge. We just like to pretend
I'd rather be in the departure lounge at Heathrow!
Not possible at the moment though.

No thankyou, they'd all get on my nerves

You mean rather like Gransnet, EllanVannin!
?

(ducks for cover)

As for care homes, I would rather take an overdose.

I can see why you think that, I do as well, but that’s because I’m reasonably fit and well. But it’s surprising how the will to keep living is obviously strong in so many older people, who maybe thought the same years ago, re care homes.

As for retirement villages, they seem popular in the USA and Australia. When we have visited DD over there, she once lived quite close to a retirement village. Have to say it looked very pleasant. Probably expensive though, with maintenance fees etc.

Oh gosh no, Callistemon as I know what makes the majority here, tick. I was actually going to add barring the many here

One of my relatives lived in a retirement village in Australia.
They're not confined to barracks, you know - they can go out and about like normal people!
?

I was thinking of complete and total strangers that you'd be stuck with. I imagine being saddled with a complete opposite of myself which would be my worst nightmare.

My son is the manager of a retirement village and he has told me that sometimes an old person arrives at the village and seems quite frail and within a couple of months they have made freinds and take part in activities and it has given them a new lease of life! When it was the anniversary of the Dambusters, he found a man in the village who had been a dambusters pilot and he persuaded him to give a talk in the community hall and they showed films and served refreshments. So there are good sides to them, although I am not ready for one yet!

just read WWmk2's comment- and this is exactly how I feel. NO!

My D's relatives by marriage were in a holiday village just outside Sydney and it was fabulous, but they had the weather to match as well which makes a heck of a difference to your outlook on life.
Now I could live there no problem. They were all jolly people.

I’m in a retirement flat with care available if I need it. My son found this place for me when I was in hospital 2 years ago after collapsing at home. It’s perfect, but it is not cheap. I couldn’t have gone back to my large, old house and very large garden, and I am grateful to be here. I do miss things about my old house, but one has to be realistic.

Glad your are coping well. But for me, it is not about the house, the size, the garden - it is about being in a non age (and otherwise) mixed community.

My parent moved into one in their late eighties mainly to be nearer to me. They loved it as the garden was done for them although they had their own outdoor space. There were activities arranged if they wanted them although did not often partake.
Eventually in their mid nineties my dad told me they weren't managing and to look for a home. They moved to a lovely home together until my mum developed dementia. She then moved to another block so they could still see each other.
My dad died a couple of years ago and my mum was 100 last Friday. She is well cared for and happy. There is no way Icould have given them better care.
I think for some it is good.

Read the 'Thursday Murder Club' by Richard Osman, which is based around a retirement village in Kent, and makes it sound ideal
I’ve just read that book petitfromage & it only served to confirm my view that a retirement village wouldn’t be for me

Our neighbour moved into one in the next village a couple of years ago.

The setting is beautiful with a few acres of well tended gardens as well as an indoor pool, restaurant and the usual communal lounge.

Her flat is a penthouse so quite large with a balcony overlooking the gardens.

They organise trips out to theatres etc and she seems very happy and busy there.

So far so good BUT when we looked, out of interest, into the ongoing costs, the figures were absolutely eye watering.

She sold a large four bedroom detached house with a big garden, but virtually all the proceeds were needed for the purchase of the two bedroom flat.

Then there are additional monthly fees which were extortionate and likely to increase.

Then there is the problem of restrictions when the flat is eventually sold.

Not something to go into lightly.

The Single Ladies of the Jacaranda Riretiremrny Village is a novel by Joanna Nell is set in an Australian retirement village.

I remember when my Sis-IL's father had to go into a care home very many years ago. He said he became extremely popular as there were a lot of elderly women but only two men.

Retirement Village

We have friends who bought a house in such a place, which is gated (to stop ‘em escaping )extensive maintained lovely grounds, restaurant, gym, pools etc. and nearby nursing home to shuffle into when too decrepit.

Most of the people there are seriously rich from what we could gather, and would need to be, for the charges levied, and as some have mentioned there are all sorts of fees and restrictions to be aware of.
Too much of a ghetto for me, but very safe if you are rich and fancy it.

I've also heard from Australian members of the extended family that the retirement villages/communities over there are quite exceptional and many are happy to spend their later years in such places.

Oh yes, constant grandchild chat would drive me mad, too, but it already happens in one social group we belong to although occasionally dogs get a look in too, which also drives me mad!

Would it be like the one Ken Barlow moved to?!

There’s no way I’d want to move to one now, but I can’t say I won’t change my mind one day - perhaps when I’m 96.

My idea of hell. Still, it doesn't do for us all to be the same, and some may love it.