Taskforce sizes up big issue
THERE’S no one-size-fits-all when it comes to downsizing, so it’s good that the Government has announced a new taskforce to look into retirement living this year – with an emphasis on levelling up regional disparities. It aims to examine where central and local government can intervene to find a muchneeded solution to the shortage of homes tailored to older people, because by 2050 one in four UK residents will be over 65.
It’s a move that’s been welcomed by Churchill Retirement Living chairman and CEO Spencer J McCarthy, who says: “Fifteen times more private retirement housing units have been built in the South East since 2010 than in the North East of England. If this trend continues it risks undermining the Government’s levelling up agenda and leaving many older people behind.”
Despite his involvement in the retirement living sector McCarthy is aware that modified family homes, bungalows and housing linked to care facilities are all part of the mix.
“We need more of all types so that people can choose the right option for their needs in later life, allowing more people to live safely and independently in a home of their own with all the benefits that brings.”
Wendy and DavidWright decided to downsize to a bungalow at Rangeford Villages’ Mickle Hill in Pickering, North Yorkshire, because they knew their fourbedroom house would become too much for them.
“People often find themselves alone in a big house and we didn’t want that to be the case for either of us,” says Wendy, 72. “I would advise people to make the move whilst you are both fit and able.”
Wendy and David, 80, moved into their two-bedroom dormer bungalow in December 2021, and they’re very pleased they did.
“I know a lot of people might find the prospect of downsizing pretty daunting but I think it’s more a case of rightsizing,” says Wendy. “I would say to anyone considering a similar move to see it as an adventure, a chance to declutter and really start afresh.”
Mickle Hill is within easy reach of York and Scarborough, with facilities including a gym, cinema, bistro and bar. It’s exclusively for over-60s and apartments are available from £199,950, with two-bedroom dormer bungalows from £314,950 (0800 135 7420; rangefordvillages.co.uk).
These are leasehold properties with service charges that include 24-hour emergency support, building insurance, gardening and landscaping, plus concierge/ wellbeing and transport services.
But not every downsizer wants to move to an age-restricted development even if it means no extra support or residential facilities.These include Barbara Roy and Sam Mansfield, who bought their first home together aged 69 and 67 at Barratt Kent’s Richmond Park development near Dover, Kent.
“We had been talking about buying our own place for several years,” says Barbara, “but getting a mortgage was not the easiest thing to do at our age.”
Eventually they managed to put down a £180,000 deposit on their mid-terraced house and took out a 10-year mortgage – the longest they could find.
The couple decided on a new-build house to reduce maintenance costs.The development, in Whitfield, still has threebedroom houses from £399,995 (0333 920 8025; barratthomes.co.uk) but there will be more phases of the development to come.
“We might have found a slightly cheaper older house but then we would have had to spend a lot of money renovating it,” says Barbara. “Instead we can enjoy our retirement and live out our best life.”