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

I have a friend who lives is a beautiful retirement complex in New Zealand. Detached bungalows on the perimeter, sheltered housing plus nursing home type accommodation in the centre with masses of facilities, bowling green, swimming pool etc. Even a chapel! The landscaped grounds are a joy and there are loads of optional communal activities. It suits my friend but frankly I keep imagining a conveyor belt where once you are in the exit is via the chapel in a "box".

I saw that item on BBC news. It looks interesting, but as another poster said, could be too expensive.
There are a few retirement villages here, but in general the prices are way out of our range.

I live in a Park Home (2nd one as I moved from Somerset to Devon after death of DH), they are lovely, friendly communities, mix of male/female singles & married couples. Park Homes are more affordable & Park Fees are reasonable. Most Park Owners are reasonable & there are rules but the lovely thing is you have your own front door & small garden.

Every-one keeps them well maintained & have beautiful gardens - highly recommended. Depends what you are looking for & your own Health & needs - but I love it, everybody tends to look out for each other but we're not constantly in each others houses

There is a new retirement 'village' in N Norfolk. Two bed bungalows for £240,000 . It's connected to a care home, don't know about any running costs apart form a £20/wk charge for the monitoring of the emergency alarm system.
As you need more care you can arrange your own or pay for the care home to provide it. Looks good but for one thing. Although you have a private patio I'm not sure if the ground up to the patio is communal, I am used to privacy now and would like to retain some. Still food for thought.
I hope that in 10-15 years there is more choice. At least we are all thinking ahead, so many people don't.

Having recently lost my beloved husband I am considering buying in a retirement village, but not one of these only-for- women ones. I think a mixed community could be more relaxed, more like 'normal' life. Women on their own can become a bit petty at times (I have experience of all-female staff-rooms
in schools).

I would not like to live in a single sex environment, but there again if I don't get out each day to meet people, I would not see anyone.?

In many areas there are well established and managed almshouses which provide excellent social housing at very reasonable cost. Check out your area; there may be more than one provider.

We have two beautiful almshouses nestling close to the West Gate of our town. They are (or were) for the 'genteel poor' of the diocese .

granoffour Yes! Should I survive my lovely husband, I would be extremely happy to live in such a community.