Where the pandemic has made us all think more about where we live and our lifestyle, downsizing to a dedicated retirement development with great facilities and a sense of community could be the right step for older buyers, with collections of homes for over-55s, over-60s and over-70s.
Age-exclusive or retirement living developments are an opportunity to keep a foot on the property ladder and combine the benefits of a secure, low-maintenance, well-designed new build home, with things like like-minded neighbours, and special amenities and services for older people which general developments may not provide.
There’s a great choice of these types of homes across The Midlands right now.
Brindley Gardens
Brindley Gardens is a development for over-60s in Codsall, Staffordshire, from WhatHouse? Award-winning specialist development McCarthy Stone. It’s a gated development of one- and two-bedroom apartments, with lift access to all, and plentiful parking.
On Thursday 26 August, there’s a VIP Tour day where house-hunters can take a personal look at the homes and development as a whole, with private landscaped gardens and a communal lounge. It’s a pet-friendly place to live, with a house manager taking care of things and 24-hour staffing in case of emergencies.
Brindley Gardens is just a few miles north-west of Wolverhampton, but thanks to excellent local roads it is easy to get to the likes of Cannock, Telford and Stafford in under half-an-hour. Prices for the remaining two-bedroom apartments start at £240,450. Find out more from McCarthy Stone.
Audley Binswood
The final brand new apartment is available at Binswood, a development in Royal Leamington Spa. It is a spacious property with flexible open-plan kitchen/living/dining room and plenty of storage throughout, as well as the bonus of a study room. The master bedroom benefits from a double fitted wardrobe and an en suite shower room. This apartment comes complete with an elegant SieMatic kitchen with grey tones and integrated Neff and Bosch appliances. Both the en suite and second bathroom are fitted with Villeroy & Boch sanitaryware. This home is priced £430,000.
Audley Binswood is located in a conservation area in the heart of the Royal Leamington Spa, a short walk from the shopping and leisure facilities of the town. At the heart of the village is Binswood Hall, which was formerly known as North Leamington College. It’s a Grade II* listed Victorian Gothic hall which has been restored and forms the centrepiece of the retirement village, retaining all of the character of the original building. Binswood Hall is also home to the Audley Club, with its own luxury health club, swimming pool, library, restaurant and bistro bar.
There are brand new cottages still available here, with one- and two-bedroom homes priced at £299,950 and £419,950 respectively. Find out more at www.audleyvillages.co.uk.
Eastcote Park
Eastcote Park is a development on the outskirts of Solihull that has a selection of new private apartments for sale, with another block which is a dedicated luxury care home. There are 34 retirement apartments which combine independent living with comfort and peace of mind, featuring spacious living rooms, fitted kitchens, two bedrooms, and finely finished bathrooms.
As well as 24-hour emergency response by on-site team, the village manager is on hand to bring the community together through events and activities. The site has some excellent facilities too, from an impressive menu in the Club Lounge (with a private room to hire for special occasions), a piano bar, hair and beauty salon, fitness studio and even a cinema.
The site is located in a leafy lane, just a few miles from the shows and amenities of Solihull and about half-an-hour from the centre of Birmingham. It is easily accessible from the A41, A452, M42 and M40. Solihull railway station connects to key destinations such as Birmingham, London and Stratford-upon-Avon.
Prices at Eastcote Park range from £385,000 to £599,000 for a selection of two-bedroom homes. Find out more at www.cinnamoncc.com
Saxon Gardens
McCarthy Stone’s Retirement Living PLUS developments are for over-70s, and Saxon Gardens is one of these, located in Oakham. This features 29 one- bedroom and 29 two-bedroom apartments, designed for independent living but with the peace of mind of having on-site staff available 24 hours per day should you need them, a camera entry system and intruder and smoke alarms.
There is lift access to all floors, and special modifications in the apartments for those with limited mobility. Every apartment has a fully fitted kitchen, shower room with a heated towel rail, raised-height electrical sockets, fitted wardrobes and energy-efficient heating. There are landscaped gardens and a sociable communal lounge for a lively social life with neighbours, plus an on-site bistro servicing meals daily. Oakham High Street is only 0.2 miles from the development, with amenities such as a bank, pharmacy and shops as well as places to eat and drink. There are also plenty of independent cafes and restaurants.
One- and two-bedroom apartments are priced from £214,950 and £299,950 respectively. There is a part buy-part rent option too. Find out more about Saxon Gardens from McCarthy Stone.
Eliot Lodge is a Churchill Retirement Living development for those over 60, located in Ashbourne, on the edge of the Peak District and Derbyshire Dales. It’s a collection of 38 one- and two-bedroom flats for sale, now under construction but available to reserve.
The specification includes a fitted kitchen with built-in oven, hob, fridge/freezer and washer/dryer, walk-in wardrobe in main bedroom, illuminated light switches, easy-turn lever taps and camera entry system. There’s lift access to all floors. The development has a lodge manager for day-to-day running of the site and assistance to residents. You can book a guest room for a nominal charge for visitors to stay comfortably overnight. There are landscaped gardens and parking is free.
Located on the edge of the town centre, Eliot Lodge is close to specialist shops and the twice-weekly market. There are splendid walking and cycling routes in this area and for access to more shops and services, as well as a well-connected railway station, Derby is just ten miles south. Prices at Eliot Lodge are on application. Find out more about from Churchill Retirement Living.