What are retirement villages and are they right for you?

A retirement village is a community of flats, or sometimes houses, that are inhabited exclusively by retired people.

They allow the privacy and independence you’d enjoy in your own home with the addition of the security and social environment of a care home.

They are not the same as a retirement building, which is generally smaller and staffed only by a warden.

James Cobb, sales and marketing director at Inspired Villages, which manages seven retirement villages, says: “Retirement villages are normally quite a large community of people, with 150-200 properties. The defining feature is the number of people they employ, around 30-40 staff members while retirement flats might have one.”

Each resident has their own flat, usually with a kitchen, bathroom, living room and at least one bedroom. Some have additional rooms and French doors opening onto communal gardens or a balcony. The villages can have their own security, such as passes or codes needed to enter the front doors or gates. While staff look after the maintenance of the properties as a whole, residents will be in charge of their own cleaning and bills, such as organising their own Broadband. Staff are also on hand in case of emergencies and flats will have emergency call points should a resident need immediate help.

Can I rent in a retirement village?

Average prices for flats or houses in retirement villages vary depending on location, type and the package you choose. Buying a property is most common and often the most financially practical, given that people are often downsizing from a house. However, most retirement village developers now offer options to rent long-term or rent to buy while you sell your house.

At Inspired Villages they offer a variety of options: “They can buy, rent, try before they buy. We can do a deferred completion where they have a year to sell their property while they live here, a part exchange scheme and six-month money-back guarantee. We even have ‘Inspire Move’,  where we’ll help with decluttering and downsizing and either buy their property or help them to sell it,” says Mr Cobb.

Retirement village fees

Retirement villages usually charge a monthly fee for maintenance of the buildings, gardens and any other communal facilities. This can vary widely but is often anywhere from several hundred to a thousand pounds.

Can I maintain my independence in a retirement village?

Retirement villages are very popular among people who do not need care but who don’t want to live alone. Apart from ground maintenance and the added security and support from the staff and fellow residents, living in a retirement village is as independent as living alone. There is somewhere safe to park your car and they are generally built in the heart of cities, the countryside or by the sea, so you can choose your location according to your preference.

Retirement villages promote leading an active lifestyle but having your own home means that you have complete control of what you do and when. You will need to be mindful of having close neighbours though, for example having the television on loudly at 11 o’clock at night may keep people awake.

Mr Cobb says: “Independence is fundamental, we think that later life care should be the best years of your life. The trouble is, in the UK, the word retirement is associated with a bit like giving up, but we call these ‘age of celebration villages’. Loneliness is a killer, but statistically the happiest age is 82. I think making the choice to move into a retirement village is a massive step up into something much more suitable.”

The sanctuary of these villages further promotes confidence and independence, as Mr Cobb describes it: “It’s passive security, neighbourhood watch on steroids. Everyone knows everybody and it feels very safe and secure.”

Can I receive care in a retirement village?

Yes, but what type of care this is depends on the home you choose. Some retirement villages work with a home care provider to employ care workers for their residents, this service will come at an additional cost. Meanwhile in some, people privately hire care workers from a home care company of their choosing. How much care you want is entirely up to your individual needs and wishes.

Are retirement villages good for social interaction?

Villages usually have various different social activities, organised by residents and the warden. There is typically a weekly rota of what’s going on, such as quiz nights, craft evenings, meals out or games nights. It is entirely up to residents what they want to do and they will very often bring wine and snacks to evening activities. Often residents will form friendship groups with whom they will go out shopping, gardening, fishing, cycling or on day trips.

As well as communal indoor and outdoor spaces, retirement villages can offer a range of other facilities for residents to use to enjoy a fulfilling social life. These might include on-site restaurants, pubs, libraries, craft rooms, spas, swimming pools, gyms and other sports facilities, while being near to local amenities.

Mr Cobb says: “The reason people move into Inspire Villages is to maintain an active lifestyle. We have the community facilities including a restaurant, library, café, bar, bistro, and a wellness centre, with a pool, gym and treatment rooms. It’s a very buzzy community in itself and very much integrated with the local community.”

“We can prove our residents are healthier and we can prove they’re happier. Older people are five times more likely to get involved with social activity when they live in a retirement village and their cognitive ability doubles.”

Can I keep my furniture if I move into a retirement village?

Yes, within reason. It is up to you how you furnish and decorate your new home, but you will probably be downsizing. You will often need to sell, donate or put some of your furniture into storage. However, different sizes of flats are available depending on your needs and budget.

Can I keep my pet if I move into a retirement village?

Usually, people can take their pets when they move into a retirement village. This is something you will need to speak to the salesperson about when you view their available properties. Friends and family can also bring pets when they visit you.