Is this the best way to live in retirement if you're on your own?

Misoginy - not at all, au contraire. The sad face is not about the women, it is about single age, single sex ... and to a large extent single 'type' (call it class if you wish - it is not cheap to live in those places and it does 'select'), different cultures - I like to share my life with people of all ages and all sexes (yes, there is more than 2 among our close friends).

That's good to know DD and I'm sure it puts your mind at rest too.

re the ones that say they would never live in sheltered, dont knock until youve tried it, its not like it used to be, far from it.

@Anya

My mother has just moved into a housing-association community like this, with mixed owner-occupied/rented apartments. She was lucky to get the place, because she had never lived in social housing and wouldn't normally be eligible, but her health is deteriorating quite fast. So far, she's quite happy with it and feels that there's somebody there if necessary.

Why the sad face for women only? Seriously ladies tuck it in, your internalised misogyny is showing.

Not for me, I'm afraid. I hate the thought of living in a 'one age' community- let alone women only

GrandMatte we drove round a complex like that when we visited NZ. If I remember correctly there were substantial properties for the over 60s, then you could downsize (on the same complex) and then move into the central area when you could no longer live independently. This central area was a bit like an upmarket residential home with nursing staff.

I'm assuming this social sheltered housing is only available to existing occupants of social housing though?

It's a wonderful idea and I do hope they let animals in, that would be the icing n the cake.

Why are some of you hostile to the idea of living within an all female community? Surely it would depend on the women. What does a male offer that a female can't?

Beware of service charges my brother has just sold his very nice flat in a beautiful old building the charges have gone up by a ridiculous amount since he's been there for about three years.

Sheltered housing complexes are fine, but I still wouldn't want to live in an all-women one.

There's a new retirement complex near to us. It has a range of 70 or so one and two bed apartments which you can either rent (not sure of the t&cs) or buy. Ages range from 60 upwards. There are communal areas, bar, lounge, hobby areas, hairdresser, etc. The complex is managed and has admin staff. There are two in our borough. It sounds like the way forward to me and I would certainly consider something like this if/when I am left to live alone. We oldies need to help each other.

They have been common in Aus and NZ for years. My uncle and aunt lived in one in NZ. the less able bodies you are, you are moved closer to the hospital/nursing home. it is very satisfactory to my mind, even though I would prefer to be independent. Since that isn't always possible, that is the best way out. Don't much like "sheltered" housing. It is all a bit prison like to my mind!

It would seem that there is a model here for good social sheltered housing then. I do know of one small development near where I used to live with small one-bed bungalows with a small warden-controlled community centre in the middle.

No idea Anya, but I did know before hand what this place was like hence me wanting to move to this particular one, its very popular for council tenants and leaseholders alike. I had to wait nearly 5 years for a place to become vacant, ( due to poor health I needed ground floor).

Is that true if all social sheltered housing?

I see no difference between that and social sheltered housing, well apart from the cost.
I moved to sheltered a couple of years ago, best move I ever made and a wonderful community that look out for each other. No time to be lonely here theres always something happening.

It would not be for me, though I suppose my Army service would count as having lived in a single sex community, where we shared tasks of day to day living, enjoyed social interaction when and if we wanted to and supported each other mutually. On the whole I enjoyed that, but I was young then and not at all set in my ways. I wonder just how democratic it would be too. I would think, after a while, that some individuals would either dominate or seek to dominate the community. But I'm an old cynic!

My first thought was - how lovely to always have someone. My second was - but how horrible to feel lonely surrounded by others. I guess the reality could be either, and many possibilities in between.

I am not sure I would like to live in a single sex community. I was at a girls boarding school and a women's hall of residence at Uni. I did not experience any of the problems, bitchiness etc that people talk about with women only groups, but after 50 years of heterosexual living. I think I would prefer a mixed development.

Ideally I would prefer to live in a wider society with a mixed, in every way community, but I can see the advantages of living in a supportive environment in extreme old age or infirmity.

Sorry all, must be the extra large Baileys.?

I know!

I looked at their website. There are flats to buy (which I couldn't afford) and some for people eligble for social housing (which I'm not). Boo hoo!

There are quite a few people in the same situation as I am. I wish developers would come up some solution. I've become reconciled to renting for the rest of my life, but I'd like to have some security, which private renting doesn't give.

@roses

How rude!