Gransnet forums

House and home

Retirement village in cobham / esher

(10 Posts)
Willow2220 Sat 29-Apr-23 13:14:25

I’m trying to find a nice area for my 80 year old father to move to maybe in the cobham / esher area. I don’t really know the areas but they are a good distance between myself and where my 2 sisters live …. does anyone have knowledge of retirement village / flats in the area? Many thanks for any advice.

Dickens Sat 29-Apr-23 13:58:12

There's a newish retirement village just outside of Cobham - along 'Fairmile Lane'. I think it's an Audley.

It's a lovely area - I used to live not far from there. Very 'leafy'... and pricey!

Fleurpepper Sat 29-Apr-23 15:15:28

The Fairmile is very nice- but too far from town unless you have a car. Nowhere to walk to go for a cup of coffee, or the PO, etc. Not safe to walk anywhere as everyone has a 'Chelsea tractor' and drive very fast on very narrow lane.

Dickens Sat 29-Apr-23 15:28:44

Fleurpepper

The Fairmile is very nice- but too far from town unless you have a car. Nowhere to walk to go for a cup of coffee, or the PO, etc. Not safe to walk anywhere as everyone has a 'Chelsea tractor' and drive very fast on very narrow lane.

Yes, you're right Fleurpepper - it is too far from the main drag unless you have a car. I assumed the 'village' would have its own coffee shop, pool, etc, but that's not everyone's cup of tea!

I remember taking a 'short cut' along Fairmile on my way home from work when I lived just near Cobham - thought it would be a more 'relaxing' drive than Stoke Road, but there was always some speed merchant behind me. It must be a nightmare for those who live quite close to the road edge.
Shame, because without the traffic, it would be a lovely walk!

Dickens Sat 29-Apr-23 17:55:45

Willow2220

I’m trying to find a nice area for my 80 year old father to move to maybe in the cobham / esher area. I don’t really know the areas but they are a good distance between myself and where my 2 sisters live …. does anyone have knowledge of retirement village / flats in the area? Many thanks for any advice.

Why not just Google "retirement villages" together with the area - Cobham, Esher... Leatherhead is also quite a nice area, too.

Then there's East Horsley, Shere, West Clandon, Bookham, Guildford, Godalming.

Ripley is also very nice!

Good luck!

Fleurpepper Sat 29-Apr-23 18:29:25

Dickens

Fleurpepper

The Fairmile is very nice- but too far from town unless you have a car. Nowhere to walk to go for a cup of coffee, or the PO, etc. Not safe to walk anywhere as everyone has a 'Chelsea tractor' and drive very fast on very narrow lane.

Yes, you're right Fleurpepper - it is too far from the main drag unless you have a car. I assumed the 'village' would have its own coffee shop, pool, etc, but that's not everyone's cup of tea!

I remember taking a 'short cut' along Fairmile on my way home from work when I lived just near Cobham - thought it would be a more 'relaxing' drive than Stoke Road, but there was always some speed merchant behind me. It must be a nightmare for those who live quite close to the road edge.
Shame, because without the traffic, it would be a lovely walk!

We go there very often as family live there- those roads and speeding Chelsea Tractors terrify us, and we are confident drivers!

Dickens Sat 29-Apr-23 20:07:08

... I'm not surprised!

I eventually gave up going along that road, it wasn't a short-cut anyway and although it was a lovely, leafy lane - it terrified me too. I lost count of the number of times I was tail-gated.

Why was / is everyone in such a hurry!

Callistemon21 Sat 29-Apr-23 21:11:15

Be careful of clauses when buying in a retirement village - there could be extra charges when selling.

I remember house hunting in those areas many years ago 🙂, we needed to upsize, not downsize back then but then we got relocated.
We liked Chobham and Windlesham particularly.

Dickens Sat 29-Apr-23 22:45:27

Callistemon21

Be careful of clauses when buying in a retirement village - there could be extra charges when selling.

I remember house hunting in those areas many years ago 🙂, we needed to upsize, not downsize back then but then we got relocated.
We liked Chobham and Windlesham particularly.

www.which.co.uk/money/pensions-and-retirement/financing-later-life-care/later-life-housing-options/the-pros-and-cons-of-retirement-villages-aaCva9q0ByAK

WHICH gives some good information on these 'hidden' costs - the so-called 'exit' fees in particular.

NanaPlenty Thu 25-May-23 09:09:25

Ashtead is a lovely place to retire to for a gentler pace of life, everyone is really friendly and there is plenty around to do, good commuter links etc. No retirement village but some really good over 60’s flat complexes which have lovely accommodation and nice communal areas - just a thought.