Building community in comfort and style
Discover luxury retirement properties in Hampstead with Lifestory
For many of us, the events since March 2020 have underlined the value of being surrounded by friends and family. At the height of lockdown, unable to see many of our loved ones, we all had time to reflect on the things that matter most to us – and, as restrictions lifted, the importance of being able to build and maintain a community is clearer than ever.
The Office for National Statistics reports that the proportion of UK adults who said that they felt lonely “often” or “always” increased from 5% between 3 April and 3 of May 2020 to 7.2% of the adult population from October 2020 to February 2021. In the face of all that isolation and disruption, we may want to ensure that we are part of a broad and active community to support us in the years to come. This raises certain questions about how we currently live. How well do we really know our neighbours? How could we engage with them better? How can we have a positive impact in our local area? How do we build connections with like-minded people nearby?
The answers to these questions will be shaped by the places we live. The peace and quiet of a rural life might be counterbalanced by a sense that there are few people nearby with whom you can connect. Inner-city living, while exciting, can lead to a sense of anonymity. It’s natural when considering matters of human connection to ask if you need a change of environment, and for those of retirement age, this may be the perfect opportunity to find a new home that allows you to build a community that will support and engage you as you grow older.
Luxury retirement developments may be a desirable choice for many, offering a balance between independent living and the benefits of on-site services and facilities – with communal spaces and events that make it easy to meet and engage with your neighbours in a relaxed setting. For example, Lifestory’s Fitzjohn’s and Belle Vue developments for the over sixties offer not only brand new, stylish, contemporary and dynamic homes in Hampstead – one of London’s most sought-after neighbourhoods – but also amenities that can help you to build a community. Lifestory prides itself for putting health, wellbeing and exceptional service at the heart of its developments.
Launched in September 2021, the Fitzjohn’s development – which takes inspiration from Hampstead’s rich architectural heritage and the grandeur of Fitzjohn’s Avenue – consists of 29 individually designed luxury one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments with hotel-style facilities including a concierge, automated underground car park and a landscaped courtyard garden. With a club lounge, library, health spa and stretch studio within easy reach of your own private apartment, there is plenty of room to socialise and get to know your neighbours, whether over gentle exercise, drinks or a meal.
Lifestory’s Belle Vue development offers one- and two-bedroom apartments with light, open-plan living areas, many of which feature a loggia style terrace with spectacular views over London. The facilities include private owners’ lounges, 24-hour concierge-style services, safe on-site parking and guest suites – as well as landscaped outdoor courtyards, a wellness area with a swimming pool, spa, gyms and stretch studios where you can socialise with neighbours, friends and family in a relaxed, informal setting. The renowned Sunday at Belle Vue restaurant, which is open to both residents and the public, adds to the development’s vibrant community.
Being part of a supportive and engaged community is key to our wellbeing, especially as we grow older. Finding a place to live that will help us to build strong connections is invaluable. A Lifestory development might just be the ideal place for you to start building that community.