‘Permanently On Holiday’ At Dorset Independent-Living Community

A Poole homeowner has described feeling like she is permanently on holiday since moving to an over-55s independent-living community.

Sally Lawrence, 70, moved to Platinum Skies’ community, Vista, on Mount Road, from a four-bedroom house outside of Dorset, where she would rarely see other people walking past. This led her to feel isolated, which would increase as she aged. Sally says that while there was no immediate need to downsize, she could see that the two sets of stairs would end up being an issue as she became less able in later life.

Sally said: “I feel that living at Vista feels like I am on a permanent holiday. I felt that from the moment that I moved in and I still feel like that now.

“I think Vista as a community is a great place to live. We have various events that go on, but also us homeowners organise things for ourselves. You obviously don't have to go if you don't want to, but there's quite a few events that do take place and I enjoy them immensely. We have a lot of fun.

“It’s also very easy to make new friends here. I met Lorraine on the day that I moved in and she had moved in a week before me. We have been good friends ever since, but we've also made a lot of other friends within our community, which has got to be good for everybody's wellbeing.”

Lorraine and Sally at Vista

Sally says that a huge plus to Vista is that it features two bus stops just a few minutes away which can take people into Bournemouth or Poole town centre.

Homeowners at Vista have access to a range of communal facilities including a homeowners’ lounge, activity room, treatment room, and garden with a viewing platform over Poole Harbour.

Vista is located just a six-minute drive away from Poole Park, a seven-minute drive to the Dolphin Shopping Centre, and a 10-minute drive to Sandbanks, where families can enjoy a day at the beach or catch a ferry over to Studland.

Platinum Skies has independent living communities based across Dorset, Wiltshire and Somerset, which offer people the chance to enjoy life on their terms while benefitting from friendly, like-minded and sociable neighbours, who can enjoy shared interests.

Each Platinum Skies community has a dedicated onsite community manager who helps to organise fun activities such as wine tasting workshops, yoga, coffee mornings, quizzes, and crafts, as well as providing practical and emotional support to the community’s homeowners.

Prices for an apartment in Vista start from £225,000 with the Platinum Skies flexible shared ownership option. Find out more at www.platinumskies.co.uk.

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