With a distinct coastline on its northern and southern edges, Devon also offers a wonderful mix of splendid countryside, including several national parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty (AONBs), many characterful villages and some notable resorts, towns and cities. So it’s no surprise that it appeals very much to retirees as well as to tourists.
The county is placed fourth in this year’s Prudential analysis on retirement appeal, which rates the nation’s counties in terms of such things as its healthcase, life expectancy statistaics, weather and crime levels, in addition to current pensioner population, their income what the movement in and out of the county is by those of pension age.
Outside of the two major cities of Exeter and Plymouth, the other eight of Devon’s districts prove how much appeal they have to the older generation. All are well in excess of the national proportion of over-65s (18%) reported by the Office for National Statistics, with East Devon having 30% of its people at retirement age and Torridge, West Devon and South Hams each currently on 27%.
In addition to its stock of re-sale properties and general new homes, Devon is also a popular place for developers to provide special new build properties exclusively for older buyers, in the form of developments and ‘retirement villages’. Across a broad price range and offering different choices of on-site amenities for the benefit of residents, this type of home is crossing a broad array of budgets and ‘wish-lists’, with some having crucial extended medical and domestic help available on-site for those residents that need them.
We take a look at the best current developments for retirees in Devon:
Retiring in Exeter
The county town of Devon is really a city with a population of around 130,000. It has many appealing aspects, from its location on the River Exe through its fascinating history to a wealth of great transport connections. With a host of shopping, amenities and entertainment on the doorstep, the city is also within easy reach of numerous places of protected countryside and numerous coastal resorts.
Renaissance Villages has an impressive variety of properties for sale at Millbrook Village, located just a couple of miles south-east of the city centre. Its range of one- and two-bedroom apartments and two- and three-bedroom cottages have a wide appeal and the village has plenty of special features centred on its clubhouse. From a cinema and library to a restaurant and swimming pool, the range of activities is very wide - and there’s the peace-of-mind of a 24-hour emergency line and on-site nursing facilities. Prices currently start at £334,950.
In Pinhoe, at the north-east edge of the city, is McCarthy & Stone’s Pinnoc Mews, which is currently selling its contemporary-designed one- and two-bedroom apartments off-plan, from £254,000 and £305,000 respectively. There is lift access to all floors and wheelchair access around the development. This 39-unit retirement living site is close to local shops and transport links and has a guest suite for visitors.
Retiring in Torquay
Torquay is one of the UK’s most-loved seaside resorts but now combines plenty of modern features to complement period buildings and traditional tourist fayre. Around 18 miles south of Exeter, is also just a few miles from Newton Abbot and connected by rail along the coast on the Riviera Line to Plymouth. Its many tourist attractions have great appeal to residents too.
Former Housebuilder of the Year Churchill Retirement Living’s Sachs Lodge has prices starting at £247,950 for a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments. In the east of town and just a mile from the marina, this development has landscaped grounds, car parking, a guest suite and residents’ lounge.
Retiring in Exmouth
At the head of the River Exe, Exmouth is a port and seaside resort not far from Exeter but with its own character. There are many older buildings, particularly Victorian ones, to reflect its history. With a population of around 35,000, it today offers plenty of variety in things to do and places of interest alongside its practical mix of shops and amenities, and a promenade on which to access the long, sandy beach. It has its own railway station, linking to Exeter and from there along the coast, across the county and further afield. Exmouth is also about a 20-minute drive to the M5.
Specialist developer McCarthy & Stone will soon be offering apartments at Pincombe Court, an age-exclusive development currently under construction. It is under two miles from the waterfront and Exmouth station, in a quiet part of the town, and will offer high-quality, up-to-date style inside and out. There are long stretches of beach to enjoy nearby and it’s a short drive into the scenery and villages of the East Devon AONB.
Retiring in Ottery St Mary
On the northern edge of the East Devon AONB is this historic village, full of tradition and history, including a glorious church and a school founded in the 14th century. It does, however, also its share of modern-day appeal with its own share of shops, pubs and restaurants, and is well connected to Exeter, Honiton and Sidmouth. The A30 connects eastwards into Somerset and westwards through Cornwall.
Just west of the town is the village of West Hill, where Blue Cedar Homes is building a luxury, age-exclusive development of detached homes called Oak Tree Gardens, a mix of bungalows and houses in different styles. Three of these ten well-specified units for over-55s are already reserved, and the units remaining start at £499,950. The development is gated and centred around a communal garden and summerhouse, with an estate manager looking after these - and residents’ private gardens, if needed.