Retirement Villages - what do you think of them?

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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!

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.

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!
?

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

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.

You mean rather like Gransnet, EllanVannin!
?

(ducks for cover)

No thankyou, they'd all get on my nerves

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.

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

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. ?

Oh we're all in the departure lounge. We just like to pretend ?

Actually the worst thing would to be to have to listen to all those people talking about their grandchildren ?

I totaly agree with you Whitewavemark2.
I would feel like i was in the departure lounge to heaven.

That's nice to hear Callistemon .

I'm the village I was in the small cottages and houses were bought up by retirees and converted into bigger houses by joining them together.
Retirees were usually downsizing and had the capital to outbid any locals.

It was repeated throughout all the villages in our locality.

When the Parish Council sought permission to build some cheaper family homes there were a mountain of protests from those who had bought into a "village" and didn't want a development of ordinary housing spoiling the look. ?

I'd consider it, although could probably not afford to live in one. A friend of mine has moved into one (she's very wealthy) and absolutely loves it. She's very fit and plays golf several times a week still. Her place is gorgeous and she feels safe and secure and she doesn't have to join in any activities she doesn't want to.
When my Mum had to move into a care home (dementia) we moved Dad into a retirement apartment near us and he did very well there. People were very friendly and kept an eye out for him for us. We paid for carers twice a day morning and evening, and he came to my house every day. These places aren't prisons.

I wouldn't live in one if you paid me. My Dad lived in one for the last 5 years of his life and was ripped off good and proper. You pay a lot to go in and then a monthly large fee which is supposed to cover amenities. It covered the bowling green and the tiny swimming pool, neither of which he was interested in. He liked it there but I couldn't cope with all the nosy neighbours, personally. They used to have a lot of activities but gradually they tailed off (too expensive and time consuming for the management I think)

I’d love to live in one. The husband don’t entertain the idea.

We occasionally get mail shots for such places, damn cheek As you've pointed out Callistemon, they reflect quite possibly the tastes of a more up to date demographic, with swimming pool, gym, plus off site visits to drum and base gigs theatre trips, art galleries etc. etc.

I also think they are a good idea in theory and may well suit some, but I imagine the charges could be quite considerable.

I'd have to win big on the lottery to afford that kind of accommodation. A shed at the end of a DS's garden would be preferable and affordable!