RETIREMENT LIVING

BY ALASTAIR WALLBANKS

Wouldn't it be wonderful if, once retired, one could do everything they previously only dreamt of, giving children a cash gift, travelling or whatever?

Nowadays, due to improvements in living standards and progresses in science and medicine more people than ever before are living far longer.

Research shows that as the 21st century advances more people are living into their 90's and even reaching their 100th birthday. It is estimated that over the next two decades the number of people over 85 will have doubled. (Source - The Open University).

With this in mind there are options available to enable you to realise your dreams, one of these options being downsizing.

A company called Jones Homes, one of the UK's leading home builders since 1959, could be of interest as they recently diversified into the retirement home sector.

They are the founding member of The Emerson Group, a private, family-owned property development company based in Cheshire, with offices in Kent, Yorkshire and Lancashire. The group owns and manages a commercial property portfolio worth in excess of £1 billion.

Among other things, the company offers an impressive portfolio of apartments, mews and townhouse residences, as well as spacious detached homes.

Sales Director Julie Hardy says, "We have a project in Priory Gate, Aughton near Ormskirk, it is a number of flats which are extremely popular with people downsizing, which accounts for about 85% of our clients there."

In addition to new builds, the company has a great deal of experience in restoration project, sympathetically converting listed buildings into homes with real character.

Their extensive portfolio enables them to accommodate the needs of everyone from first time buyers to those wishing to downsize.

Nor only do Jones Homes have a range of developments throughout the North West, Yorkshire and the South East of England but across Europe and North America also.

The company has forged an enviable reputation for delivering excellent customer service and has received many prestigious accolades over the years for the properties they build including 5 star status by the Home Builders Federation.

The company has a strong focus on creating real communities with an emphasis on open spaces being particularly characteristic of a Jones Homes development.

Pearl Webster, recently purchased a two bedroom apartment at Priory Gate in Aughton, downsizing from a larger property on nearby Delph Park Avenue, where she had lived for the past 50 years.

She said, "Other than marrying my late beloved husband, George Webster, moving to Jones Homes' Priory Gate development is the best thing I ever did."

Finding it increasingly difficult running a house on her own, Pearl was ready to move to an apartment. Wanting to remain in Aughton, Pearl went to visit the properties at Priory Gate and immediately knew this is where she would buy

Pearl says: "Spacious yet compact, light and airy, and with all the assets of a bungalow but without the maintenance, the apartments at Priory Gate are lovely.

"From my lounge, I enjoy beautiful views of the green open space that surrounds the development, while from my kitchen window I can see the vibrant and colourful flower beds, which I don't have to tend.

"The development is tranquil and pleasantly peaceful, yet with lots of new neighbours, it is also friendly and I feel very safe and content."

Pearl purchased a ground floor apartment at Priory Gate with the help of Hamro the independent part exchange facilitator used by Jones Homes. Pearl described the selling and buying of her new home as worry and hassle free as everything was taken care of for her.

Being that this is the first time Pearl has ever bought a new build property, she was thrilled to be able to choose her kitchen units, worktops and appliances as well as tiles throughout the apartment, something she took great delight in.

She continued "Although I was downsizing and moving to a brand new home, I kept much of my furniture from the original house so the apartment instantly felt familiar. I couldn't be happier. The apartment is finished to an exceptional standard with modern fixtures and fittings that are excellent quality."

Pearl concludes "Amazingly next month it will be one year since I made the move to Priory Gate, and I can only add that my contentment and pleasure living here have increased three"

Another option is to sell up completely and rent. Girlings Retirement Rentals is a company founded 25 years ago by Peter Girling and his wife, a family run business who deal exclusively with the age 55 plus market.

The company let and manage approximately 2,500 properties in over 600 retirement developments, with a portfolio ranging from Perth to Penzance.

One options is an assured tenancy. Peter said, "Our unique selling point is the assured tenancies which are extremely popular, giving security of tenure without actually buying, with this scheme there is no landlord to terminate a lease, the tenants can give notice at any time they want. It gives security of tenure without actually buying."

They also offer a service called 'Bespoke Rentals'. With this package their clients can choose the home they want and Girlings will purchase it and rent it to them. This allows people to move around the country, perhaps to remain close to family who have moved.

Another facility provided by Girlings is funding your rent, clients looking for financial advice can be introduced to Prudential Financial Planning whose advisers help answer any questions they may have about their finances.

David and Sylvia Franklin-Kitchen are a retired couple in their 70s who moved to a Girlings retirement rental property in Croydon three years ago.

They were home owners up until the mid-1990s when they decided to downsize and move into the rented sector because they didn't want a mortgage at their age. This suited them at the time as they had to move around a lot with both their jobs and had lived all over the UK.

Sylvia was offered a new job with Croydon Council. The couple rented a two-bed apartment on the open market. Two years later, the Managing Agents advised that the rent was to be increased by 25 per cent!

Sylvia and David had been aware of Girlings for quite a few years and always kept an eye open for a Girlings property. They had viewed many retirement properties but hadn't found one suitable.

The couple had been looking for a two-bedroom apartment but had found them difficult to come by in the retirement rental sector. After living in Croydon for three years, they noticed a two-bedroom apartment was available at Alden Court - a purpose built development near East Croydon station so they leapt at the chance to view the apartment.

Alden Court is very central, a short walk from local shops, the train station, bus stop, social centre and town centre. Sylvia said, "One of the pitfalls of renting in the open market is not ever feeling secure in your own home. The landlord could decide to sell at any time or ask you to leave and then you have to start all over again. This is not ideal, particularly when you are older.

"With the Girlings apartment, we feel safe and secure for the rest of our lives and we know we won't need to move again. It suits us and if we ever need things repaired then Girlings are very quick to do it."

Renting in a retirement development has given them the sense of community they wanted and a network of friends as well as a safe and comfortable home where they can stay as long as they wish.

Finally something for the Francophiles, Richard and Eva Edds have been working in real estate in France for over 25 years with a company called Leisure and Land.

Leisure and Land have created a concept called Résidences la Différence, aimed at British and other nationalities already living in France who want to downsize, as well as UK residents looking to make the move to a secure village-style environment.

Richard states, "Our bungalows are virtually zero energy consumption to reduce monthly costs. Via our existing network of estate agents, we will assist potential buyers already living, or who have a house in France, to sell their existing property.

"Our gites complex adjoins the development and offers a wide range of facilities and services difficult to match elsewhere." In sunny Charente Maritimes Résidences la Différence combines the atmosphere of a 'country club' with the services you'd expect from a luxury hotel.

All retirement bungalows are set within their own gardens and have been designed to be as energy efficient as possible, reducing annual utility costs and helping you budget your pension. The properties can be found on the existing complex of Domain les Granges, which has a wide range of facilities to suit all needs and lies within walking distance of a typical French market town.

Among the facilities on offer are a heated swimming pool, spa, restaurant and gym. There are also on-site staff to take care of all of your needs including the maintenance of your house, leaving you free to socialise with new friends, indulge in leisure activities or explore the nearby town. Other services include entertainment, car hire and at-home catering deliveries.

Richard added, "There are many British and foreign nationals living in France who would like to remain living there even after they have retired and downsized their property. Quite often, these individuals still struggle with the language barrier and would much prefer living in a community with likeminded individuals and with those who speak the same language.

"We are offering retirees the opportunity to downsize their property and their annual bills but without downsizing their social life. We have specifically chosen to build this complex in the Charente Maritime so that all residents can benefit from living in the second sunniest area in France but without the scorching French Mediterranean heat."

Leisure and Land is a real estate consultancy agency which has been working on the Résidences la Différence project for almost five years. Not only have they extensively researched the concept and existing models around Europe, but they have carefully planned this complex to offer everything necessary for an easy, hassle-free way of living. Other, similar complexes are also planned for development throughout France within the next couple of years.

For further information: