Out with the old, in with a new lifestyle
CHURCHILL Retirement Living is well known for helping new residents sell their old home without estate agency fees through its Home Exchange service. But for those who can’t make up their mind whether to downsize and start a new life it also has some wise words: “Don’t let too much old stuff put you off.”
There’s more to moving than just packing boxes but if the thought of decluttering is stopping you from moving to a retirement apartment, then Churchill has the answer.
Once you have chosen your Churchill one or two-bedroom apartment in a lovely market town or seaside setting, you can get help from The Senior Move Partnership.
An experienced Senior Move manager is available to help with sorting and packing and you can also arrange for them to clear lofts, garages or spare rooms.
They will advise on what furniture will fit into your new home and which equipment you’ll no longer need. Your new kitchen will have a brand new waist-height oven, hob, hood and fridge-freezer and most developments include integral washer-dryers as standard.
Widower Geoffrey Lawrence has recently moved to Churchill Retirement Living’s Laurel Lodge development in Carshalton, Surrey, and says that decluttering was the hardest part of the move.
“Downsizing was tough, and I had to be ruthless about decluttering a lifetime’s worth of possessions, but I got plenty of help and it was well worth it now I’m here in my attractive new apartment,” he says.
“I can see why the process of decluttering is daunting for some but I’d encourage anyone else to do the same and they will reap the benefits once it’s done.”
GEOFFREY’S son and daughter-in-law lived with him for several years after his wife died but he says: “When they moved to a new place of their own, I felt I didn’t want to be alone in a big house needing lots of maintenance.
“I’d been considering retirement living for a while and Laurel Lodge was the perfect solution.”
He used Churchill’s Home Exchange service to find a buyer for his house – saving him estate agency fees and avoiding the problems of property chains – and says: “It went really well and I was very pleased with the added extras that came with the apartment. “It has a fully-fitted kitchen, a lovely spacious living room and my choice of carpet and curtains – all brand new and fitted for me with no hassle.
“It’s got everything I wanted and I’m very pleased I made the decision to move here.”
Laurel Lodge is a stylish collection of 57 one and two-bedroom privatelyowned retirement apartments designed for the over-60s.
As with all Churchill Retirement Living developments, a lodge manager oversees the day-to-day running of the development and there is an owners’ lounge, complete with a coffee bar, for catching up with neighbours or holding events. There’s also a guest suite for friends or family.
The apartments have fully-fitted kitchens and bathrooms, with illuminated light switches throughout and a fitted camera entry system plus a 24-hour emergency call system.
There are still some apartments available, with one-bedroom flats for sale from £299,950 and two-bedroom flats from £439,950.
Since moving in, Geoffrey has joined in with day trips, bowls, tea parties and coffee mornings and says: “I am planning a trip to the Isle of Wight. There are several like-minded people here and it’s a good community to be a part of.
“Living here is as near-perfect as I expected it to be.”