GOLDEN YEARS
The Pros and Cons of Retirement Villages What are retirement villages? Retirement villages (or retirement homes) are property developments built especially for older people. They provide high-quality homes for those who wish to live independently in a safe and comfortable environment. They usually offer a range of different accommodation types, including houses, bungalows and apartments, and are often located in attractive settings. Most retirement villages promote a luxury lifestyle, offering a variety of leisure facilities, such as swimming pools, restaurants, and bars, plus the opportunity to enjoy social activities within a community of people of a similar age.
n 18 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 66 | August 2022
While the number of people living in these types of developments is relatively low in the UK, the market is growing steadily, and many more villages are expected to be built over the coming years. Properties in retirement developments are often considerably more expensive than homes on the open market. Research by the real estate company Jones Lang LaSalle suggested that, on average, a retirement apartment in England cost around 17% more than a standard apartment of the same size in 2018.
continue living independently. But there
So should I choose Retirement villages or sheltered housing: what is the difference? At a basic level, retirement villages and sheltered housing are similar. Both offer housing designed for older people who want to
investigating all the options within retirement
can
be
significant
differences
between
these housing options. Retirement villages offer premium facilities in an attractive environment and, as a consequence, are usually more expensive than other options. They are generally aimed at people who want to enjoy an independent lifestyle; they may not be suited to people who require a higher level of support or supervision. Although some developments do provide access to additional care and support – at an extra cost – so it’s worth villages. Sheltered housing is often operated by local authorities, housing associations or charities, while retirement village properties must be bought or rented privately.
