Life choices to cheer
WHERE will we want to live after coronavirus? It’s a topic all ages are contemplating but surely none more urgently than over-70s, who have spent nearly three months under virtual house arrest. For those on their own it’s been an even grimmer experience; often only able to see family and friends through windows or from doorsteps.
So as lockdown begins to ease, is now the time for them to consider downsizing to a retirement village with leisure activities on tap, no worries about bricks and mortar maintenance plus staff to help when needed?
Robin Hughes, of Castle Retirement Living, predicts over-70s will be reappraising their quality of life and putting health, family and lifestyle first.
“Even after the virus has been brought fully under control, life will never be quite the same,” he says.
“It might seem back to normal but it will be a new and different normal.
“Those in later life will already be reappraising where they want to live.
“The issues of managing a large home and garden that you can’t fully utilise will have been brought into sharp focus over the past few weeks.
“Many will have lost the emotional attachment to their much-loved family home and be ready to make a quick decision about downsizing and moving on.
“Regarding their home as an investment for old age has served them well but now they will be thinking that it’s time to cash in and spend the money on something more appropriate for life post-Covid, yet still want to retain equity to pass on to the children.”
The benefits of moving to a retirement development such as CastleViewWindsor, run by Castle Retirement Living, includes owning a modern apartment that’s easy to adapt as you age.
Most will include features such as doorways wide enough for wheelchairs, walk-in showers, plus power points and built-in ovens at waist height.
Some even have kitchen cupboards with a pull-down mechanism that makes them easier to reach.
EQUALLY important is the social life, with clubs organised by staff or residents. Castle View Windsor, which has one and two-bedroom apartments for sale from £375,000 (01753 378127; castleviewwindsor.co.uk), has a restaurant, two lounge bars including a glass-panelled roof terrace, and events such as film nights, chair yoga and bridge.
Visits by potential buyers are still not available but there’s a 360-degree tour on the website.
But what makes downsizing to a retirement village better for some people than moving to a smaller new-build home are the carefully chosen locations.These are usually within a short walk of shops, health and leisure facilities or in exceptional coastal or countryside spots for those who prefer the outdoor life.
Legal & General has recently launched Guild Living to develop and operate urban communities for over-65s, after research suggesting the number of over-85s living in the UK will double by 2041 and treble by 2066.
It plans to deliver more than 3,000 new homes in urban locations over the next five years with facilities including a restaurant, physiotherapy gym and pool, consultant rooms for GP surgeries and retail space for local businesses.
The first proposed sites include a Bath city centre riverside development, in Somerset, with 282 apartments, 30 care suites and five care residences.
Another in Epsom, Surrey, has plans for 306 apartments, 28 care suites and 10 care residences in a landscaped public space with a café, nursery, restaurant and shops to encourage inter-generational living (guildliving.co.uk).
“Our vision is to deliver a significant change to how our older generation live,” says Guild Living design and innovation director Eugene Marchese.
“We will create beautiful, age-friendly environments that are activated by world-leading wellness programmes and activities designed to engage and connect our residents with family, friends and the greater community.”