Renting a retirement property by the sea on the beautiful South Coast was the ideal solution for Jean Wray
When you begin to start thinking about possibly downsizing when you retire, your first thought might be to sell your home and buy something more compact and easier to maintain.
But there is another option that is becoming increasingly popular - renting. And there’s no greater choice of properties than those offered by the UK’S leading retirement rental specialist, My Future Living.
The company offers high-quality, age-exclusive rental properties in safe and secure developments on assured tenancies throughout the country.
All its apartments are designed for independent living, but there are also support services, including a 24-hour care line in every apartment and an onsite manager who looks after the building. There are no hidden costs or surprise bills, as one monthly payment includes ground rent, services and maintenance costs.
One-bedroom apartments in Southampton start at £850 per calendar month; in Scarborough from £695pcm, and in Exeter from £795pcm.
There are many things we can do to stay fit and healthy as we get older, and this kind of living facilitates being sociable, now believed to be one of the most helpful activities as we age.
Jean Wray, 76, found her perfect one-bedroom apartment in Seaford, East Sussex, four years ago, when she moved with her husband John from Harrow in North London. Sadly, John passed away last year after the couple had enjoyed more than 40 years of marriage, but Jean is still delighted with her new home.
‘We wanted to be by the seaside,’ she says. ‘And we loved it. It was a great decision to move and now, every day, I enjoy stress-free living.
‘I live in a development called Homeshore House, on an assured tenancy - renting in retirement is the best decision we ever made.’ Jean, a retired legal secretary, has thrived on the social aspects of her new life, and helps to organise social events for residents, including bingo, garden centre visits, pub lunches and film afternoons.
She also finds time to volunteer for two charities that help people recovering from strokes or with sight problems. ‘I love being part of the community and helping those who want to get out and about to socialise,’ she says. ‘We also have a communal greenhouse where we grow produce, which we then share with each other. It’s a lovely way to get out, keep busy and meet new people.
‘Homeshore House is the perfect place to live, not only because the surroundings and gardens are immaculate, with trees everywhere, but I’ve got the South Downs on one side and the sea on the other. There’s a bus stop immediately outside the development, so it’s easy to get into Brighton and Eastbourne.’
Jean says she and her late husband had chosen to rent because of the convenience, and also to free up money for their son.
‘We used to own a lovely house,but maintaining it was getting harder. We also wanted to help our son with a deposit for his own place. I now have a worryfree life, and if something needs fixing it’s sorted very quickly with no stress to me.
‘When we started our search we talked to many different companies, but found My Future Living the most helpful and easiest to deal with. I would highly recommend renting in retirement. It’s a fantastic way of life, with no worries.’
To find out more about renting a home please visit: www.myfutureliving.co.uk
