When moving helps you have more fun
RESEARCH shows that two thirds of people in their 60s plan to take up new hobbies or go travelling.
But while enjoying life to the full is high on the agenda, many worry about how financially secure they will be at this time of their life.
Moving to a retirement development can help people achieve their goals, freeing up cash to make a more comfortable lifestyle possible.
Not only might it leave you feeling better off, but it could also result in lower heating and utility bills. After all, if only one or two of you live in a large home, it makes little sense to heat and run empty space.
And it can also whittle down indirect costs such as travel expenses, as your new retirement property could put you within walking distance of friends or family and close to local facilities and amenities.
Or perhaps you are a regular visitor to the seaside or a nearby town and would prefer to live closer and give up the expense of a car.
Another practical advantage is that right-sizing will reduce the time and energy needed to run a large household.
Letting someone else take care of maintenance chores can be a real relief. And with activities and social events organised at most retirement developments, there are also plenty of opportunities to try new things, make new friends and get the most out of life.
Activities might range from boules to book clubs, or exercise classes to coffee mornings, giving plenty of opportunities to socialise as and when you please. These activities and clubs are easy to join and especially welcomed by those who might have lost their partner or live a long way from their immediate families.
Retirement developments usually have an owners’ lounge with a coffee bar and some have extra facilities, such as a restaurant, shop or pool.
They are close-knit communities where people look out for each other, with staff available on site. This makes them very secure. So should you want to go away on short trips or an extended holiday, you can rest safe in the knowledge that the community is keeping an eye on your property.
If you decide to make the move, it’s usually best to do so sooner rather than later.
Time should be spent enjoying yourself, being with the ones you love and relaxing after a lifetime of hard work.