Getting the last home

grandtanteJE65

Wenmore

Buy a house and if needs be a stair lift or a bedroom/potential bedroom/en suite downstairs. We live in a 3 storey townhouse and we will never move, we have the potential to live on the ground floor.

I second this option.

We have this possiblity in the house we bought in 2015, and it now seems sadly likely that we will need to consider either the stair- lift or a downstairs bedroom soon now.

If at all possible, do not buy a property that will be so expensive to live in that whoever of you survives the other cannot afford to continue to live there on one pension.

We are coming to terms with the fact that my husband's life expectancy, due to cancer, is far less than we supposed when we moved here, and he mentioned spontaneously yesterday that it is a great consolation to him to know that I will not be forced to sell immediately upon his death, but can live here if I want to on my own, or leave selling up until I am over the first period of sorrow.

thank grandtanteJE65, you made a valid point. We thought about it. I was forced to retire years ago due to my illness, so my death will not make a difference financially. DH has a death insurance from his work, which would cover the outstanding mortgage if it comes to it.

Bluedaisy

RUSBUN have you thought of a housing estate for over 55’s? We had a beautiful bungalow in East Sussex which we stupidly sold after 20 years because we wanted a change of scenery (really needed a holiday after family problems but thought at the time we wanted to move!) Bitterly regret it but hindsight is a wonderful thing. Moved out of East Sussex and after 2 years didn’t like where we moved so wanted another bungalow. Couldn’t find what we were looking for but long story short ended up in West Sussex in a house for over 55’s. I wasn’t keen to begin with as husband is 8 years older than me. I was 63 when we moved here and was concerned that it would feel like a ‘nursing home’ to early for me but it has pleasantly surprised us, not only was cheaper but we are in a prime spot for the village and all amenities, doctors, bus stop etc. we are freehold so there is no monthly charge but the flats on our little corner are leasehold. We have our own private garden and parking spot. Have you thought of Steyning, Storrington, Lingfield, Chiltington or Billingshurst, where there are some of the 2/3 bed houses for over 50’s and direct train to London. There are some over 55 bungalows in 3 of the above villages to my knowledge albeit fairly small. As we found our house during Covid and am still doing it up, if I need a stair lift here I’ll have one fitted but eventually I will probably move into a flat as long as it’s got a balcony.
By the way (light bulb moment) Christs Hospital have some beautiful bungalows and houses for over 50’s also some normal properties as our son rents a home there.

Yes, purpose-build developments of bungalows for the over 55-s are way cheaper and the gardens are maintained by the management. But they are not big enough for us (DH needs an office and a garage for his many DIY tools), there is only one parking spot per household, huge annual service charges, but most importantly, we have had such a bad experience of community living in our block of flats occupied by old people, that we just want independence. Maybe, we are just not old enough in our minds to be on the same page as our neighbours, but the difference in mentality is quite profound and stressful.

Rusbun you are not alone, I used to visit a lot of retirement developments for the elderly when I worked for a charity. I cannot remember seeing one that I felt I could have lived in as a single person, let alone as a couple, and nothng I have seen since has changed my mind, as for all those adverts talking unctuously about living with 'like-minded people', they make my skin crawl.

We are 80 and beginning to think about downsizing for practical reasons, but retirement communities and their 'compact' accommodation feature nowhere on the list.

My DH said never again will he live in a flat or a community. There will always be some psychopathic residents taking initiative to be in charge, create rules and impose restrictions, complain just about anything they get away with themselves, gossip, collide with somebody to the point of bullying. And then there are dementia stricken people who get absolutely unreasonable to the point of attacking physically. Old people are not only vulnerable, they can be aggressive too. This has been our experience anyway and it has affected our health.

You get neighbours like that in bungalows too.

Germanshepherdsmum

You get neighbours like that in bungalows too.

I realise that. At least you don't have to make any communal decisions or communal disagreements over shared areas, such as parking, bins, communal shed and stairs/corridors. Anything communal is a recipe for disaster.

Not to mention communal gardens where everybody wants different things and can never come to any agreement.

It depends where you live. My son has owned a flat near Canary Wharf for years and doesn’t have these problems. Some people with little better to do enjoy running a residents’ association - he ignores them and doesn’t get involved.

Germanshepherdsmum

It depends where you live. My son has owned a flat near Canary Wharf for years and doesn’t have these problems. Some people with little better to do enjoy running a residents’ association - he ignores them and doesn’t get involved.

It also depends on a set up. It is much easier in a large block managed by an impartial estate agent. But we are in a small semi-rural block of only 8 flats with the Right to Manage, and we are one of the freeholders. So it is impossible not to get involved.

Perhaps a flat in a differently-run would suit you? In such a small block as yours things are bound to be different. Personalities will emerge. I wouldn’t let that experience put me off living in an apartment. You just have to use your experience to pick the right set-up.

Sorry, ‘differently-run block’. My son’s block is very large. In fact one block on a sizeable development. The smaller the development, the greater the chance of ‘personalities’ trying to control things.

RusBun

CanadianGran

Have you considered a park home? I see there are some in that area. They don't tend to rise in value like other real estate, but it could suit your needs.

Yes, we have. But you need to pay cash in full, they are not mortgageable - which is achievable on the cheaper ones. BUT they are small, no garage, you can't erect a shed for DH tools, there is no garden and they are packed very tightly. Also, they depreciate with time as you don't own the land for which you pay land rent. It will suit someone on a tight budget or with limited options I suppose

Not all Park homes are like that. Family members had one which was lovely, light, airy and spacious, large kitchen plus utility room, two double bedrooms, one with ensuite, a conservatory and garage and a nice sized garden with greenhouse. It was cosy and had a far better layout than most bungalows I've seen. Not packed tightly at all.
However, that wasn't in the South-East.
There are drawbacks as the land is not freehold so there is ground rent to pay, they can be very expensive and the Park owners take a percentage of the sale prices. There are usually some restrictions on owning pets too.

Also, they depreciate with time
If cared for the price will appreciate.

M0nica

Rusbun you are not alone, I used to visit a lot of retirement developments for the elderly when I worked for a charity. I cannot remember seeing one that I felt I could have lived in as a single person, let alone as a couple, and nothng I have seen since has changed my mind, as for all those adverts talking unctuously about living with 'like-minded people', they make my skin crawl.

We are 80 and beginning to think about downsizing for practical reasons, but retirement communities and their 'compact' accommodation feature nowhere on the list.

Just think - we Gransnetters could start up a Thursday Murder Club if we moved to a retirement village
😁

icanhandthemback

A new build house might be the answer as they are now built to specifications to allow the disabled to live there, especially if you need a stair lift in later years.

Agree, and a new build bungalow would be our first choice. Sadly they have not been built in the last few decades, and if they occasionally have, they cost 1/3 to 2/3 more.

Buy a new build house and a stair lift. Have it serviced annually.