Time for a new lease of life
THE dream of retiring to a sunshine home abroad doesn’t always work out in the long-term, when the reality of being far from your loved ones in times of need kicks in. At least that was the experience of Alan Guinn, 75, who moved to Spain with his wife so long ago that they were the first British people to live in a small village near Valencia where the local mayor eventually made him “Official Consul” to look after the expats who followed.
But after Alan’s wife died he became seriously ill and his daughters begged him to return to the UK where he had surgery for cardiovascular problems.
Deciding to sell the flat he had downsized to in Spain, he found he didn’t have enough money to buy a UK property so he’s now renting an apartment at a retirement development in Portishead, Somerset, close to his daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
“Being at Brunel Court has really brought me back to life,” says Alan, who holds monthly wine tasting sessions in the residents’ lounge. A recent “Port and COOL AND CALM: Simple yet stylish interior at Renaissance Retirement near Romsey
Retirement living can offer the best of both worlds, says
Presley” evening event continued until midnight and there are also exercise classes and music afternoons. “I’m not the type who can sit back and do nothing. I want to get involved in things so I have been very active within the residential community, which has made me feel worthwhile again,” he says.
Alan found his flat through Girlings Retirement Rentals (0800 525184; girlings. co.uk), which has more than 2,500 properties in 600 developments for the 55-plus market across the UK.
The apartments are let out on life-long assured tenancy agreements, which provide security of tenure.
Gillian Girling, chief executive of the company, explains: “Renting a purposebuilt retirement property on an assured tenancy means there are no additional service charges or ground rent to pay, as this is paid by the leaseholder.”
Many people worry that they won’t be able to afford to buy in a retirement development, even if they already own a home in the same area.
It was something John and Angie Young thought when they first saw the plans for Renaissance Retirement’s Fleur-de-Lis Romsey development in Romsey, Hampshire.
“We thought it would be too expensive to move into Fleur-de-Lis. In fact we were told this by someone,” says John, 69.
“However we were pleasantly surprised that we could afford it. It’s like moving into a 4-star hotel. It’s brand new and no up-keep.”
Some friends were surprised when the couple decided to move to a retirement development while they were in their 60s, Angie is 67, but they decided to make the move so they could travel more.
“We think we are the perfect age to make this move,” says John. “It’s a different, more relaxed way of living and it’s right for us. We freed up some capital, which has enabled us to have a very relaxed way of living. We go out a lot and have more time for holidays.”
ANGIE adds: “We like to go on holiday and being away for periods of time you know your apartment is safe and secure. It’s a perfect lock-upand-leave apartment.”
One and two-bedroom flats are still available at the Renaissance Retirement development, which is only a five-minute walk from Romsey town centre.
The luxury apartments have large rooms, en suite bathrooms and balconies, with on-site parking and a CCTV door entry. Prices range from £275,000 to £525,000 (01794 514349; renaissancegroup.co.uk).
“I made up my mind it was the place I wanted to live within an hour,” says John. “We didn’t have to look anywhere else. I knew we’d be happy here and we are. It has everything we need.”