The Covid-19 pandemic has seen a surge in interest in moving home as people’s priorities have changed and for older people in particular, so closely observing lockdown and social distancing, being at home so much highlighted what they really want from their home.
One option that older buyers have is the increasing number of developments aimed specifically for them, whether age-exclusive or with retirement living amenities and services. They provide not just the low-maintenance benefits of new build homes, but also the sense of community, like-mindedness with neighbours, and amenities and services that general developments may not provide.
There’s a great choice of these types of homes across the North of England right now.
The Cedars
McCarthy Stone is arguably the best known name in retirement living and one of its busy current developments is The Cedars in Malpas, Cheshire. It is inviting people to join retirement community residents for a summer get-together at the development on Friday 30 July between 1.00pm and 3.00pm this month, observing government guidance and with all necessary hygiene and safety measure in place. It is an opportunity for refreshments while meeting the team at the in the communal gardens, and finding out more about the over-60s apartments and the lifestyle on offer.
Fiona Brooks, divisional sales and marketing director, said: “This year of course things are a little different, but we are thrilled to be able to once again open up our developments to visitors, in a safe and controlled way. The pandemic has led to a shift in focus for many people, with time to reflect on the suitability of their housing needs, location and priorities for retirement. The McCarthy Stone lifestyle is all about living life to the full, and staying as independent and active for as long as possible. Come to along to our summer party for a chat and a slice of cake, and to meet those who already call The Cedars home. After all, they’ll tell you everything you could need to know!”
With a house manager to help to keep everything running smoothly, The Cedars is situated close to local amenities, with a spacious communal lounge and a hotel-style guest suite for when visitors stay. Prices start at £206,999, with flexible rental options available on selected apartments. Find out more from McCarthy Stone.
Waterton Green
LIFEstyle by ENGIE won Gold for Best Retirement Development at last year’s WhatHouse? Awards for Waterton Green in the village of Walton, just outside Wakefield. This community for over-55s offers a range of two- and three-bedroom bungalows, houses, dormer bungalows, cottage flats and luxury apartments.
There’s been a recent release of two-bedroom single- and two-storey homes, with prices starting at £199,950. As with all home here, they have been designed to the developer’s ethics of flexible design and peace-of mind for residents. Layouts of the homes come with spacious accessibility as standard but with the ability to easily adapt if necessary.
The WhatHouse? Award judges said: “Linking housing, health and social care, LIFEstyle by ENGIE’s first retirement scheme is impressive, offering much-needed affordable retirement housing options while demonstrating innovative digital housing technology; contributing to its wider community while creating a blueprint for a lower carbon future.”
Prices at Waterton Village start from £175,950, and the show homes are open seven days a wekk, from 10.00am to 5.00pm, with no appointment necessary. LIFEstyle by ENGIE offers an assisted purchase scheme to help those with an existing property to sell. Find out more at lifestyle.engie.co.uk.
The Folds
Another winner at the Awards was Adlington, for its development The Folds in the village of Romiley, just a few miles east of Stockport. The judges were impressed with both the design of the homes here – a range of 50 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments – and the array of facilities that residents can enjoy.
Apart from the things that buyers of any new home might expect, such as fitted kitchens with fully integrated appliances, contemporary bathrooms and fitted wardrobes to the principal bedroom, there are extras such as walk-on balconies or patios to most homes, wider-than-usual doorways and spacious rooms for ease of wheelchair access and easy-reach power sockets, light switches and telephone points. Residents also have the security of a 24-hour emergency line and am audio-visual entrance system. Audio and visual entry system to main entrance
The Folds also has plenty of other things to offer on-site, such as a restaurant, activities studio, therapy suite and hair salon as well as a communal lounge, guest room and landscaped gardens, offering a great deal for everyday life as a community and a host of things for visiting family and friends to enjoy.
The Folds is for residents over 60 and prices right now start at £139,250 for a one-bedroom apartment. Find out more at adlington.co.uk.
Dutton Lodge
Churchill Retirement Living is another major, multi-Award-winning specialist developer operating across Britain and amongst its current developments is Dutton Lodge in Penrith, ideal for access to the Cumbrian countryside and on the doorstep of the Lake District.
Dutton Lodge comprises 54 one- and two-bedroom retirement apartments located in the charming town of Penrith, on the edge of the Lake District National Park. It has its own communal lounge and gardens and is also conveniently located for local shops and amenities including a regular Farmers' Market.
Bernadette Hennelly, regional marketing manager for the developer, said: “With the show complex at Dutton Lodge now officially open, interested purchasers can see for themselves the layout and design of the apartments as well as the attention to detail and high quality they can expect from Churchill. The Churchill lifestyle offers security and independent living for owners, along with making new friends and being part of a new community.”
The feature property there right now is Apartment 17. This one-bedroom home is located on the first floor and benefits from a south-facing Juliet balcony off the lounge. The bedroom has a built-in wardrobe and the kitchen features built-in appliances and colour co-ordinated worktops and units. This property is currently priced at £218,950, while the starting price at Dutton Lodge is £191,950. Find out more from Churchill Retirement Living.
Hewson Court
For people looking to retire to the North East, McCarthy Stone has brand new apartments for sale in the market town of Hexham at Hewson Court. The development is well located for easy access to shops, cafés and restaurants, and other local amenities such as the weekly market, the bus station, Sele Park and Hexham General Hospital. The beauty of the North Pennines and Northumberland National Park are also within a few miles of home.
Residents here can spend their time in the social setting of the communal lounge and have a dedicated house manager on hand to run the development day-to-day. In all there will be 23 one- and 20 two-bed properties which come complete with private patios and Juliet balconies. These are priced from £219,995 and £314,995 respectively. Find out more from McCarthy Stone.
Otium of Stocksbridge
Otium of Stocksbridge is a new purpose-built retirement community for over-55s. It’s a secure, gated, pet-friendly development of one- and two-bedroom apartments and comes with a communal lounge and patios, and an activity studio for group activities such as Pilates and yoga, which can be booked via the concierge. There are also a fully equipped launderette/ironing parlour, and an IT suite/library suite which give residents a host of options to socialise with their neighbours.
There are family and double guest suites available for rent and secure on-site parking, garaging and storage for an extra fee. As standard, homeowners have the reassurance of a fully integrated state-of-the-art intruder alarm and video door entry system.
Stocksbridge is a small town to the north-west of Sheffield, on the edge of the Peak District National Park, and it has a good range of shops and places for entertainment. It is well-served by regular buses connecting with the Supertram service right into the heart of the city.
Prices at Otium of Stocksbridge are upon application. Find out more at www.otiumliving.co.uk.