| We are spoilt for choice when it comes to housing | | | | During our lives we move home an average of seven |
| options generally, and the retirement property | | | | times. Even so, we need to apply the same common |
| market is no exception, while today's retirees are | | | | sense when buying retirement housing in the UK or |
| more affluent, savvy, healthy and independent than | | | | abroad, as we do when making other major |
| they have ever been. You can continue to live at | | | | purchases. As with any investment decision it is |
| home with the help of adaptation and support; you | | | | important to thoroughly assess the market and your |
| can move in with friends or family; house-hunt for a | | | | options. There is no substitute for research, plenty of |
| retirement apartment; look for a park home in the | | | | homework and, of course, legal advice is paramount. |
| country, opt for a bolthole by the sea; or choose to | | | | Making decisions requires a clearly defined set of |
| stay closer to home in sheltered housing. You can | | | | objectives and an accurate assessment of your |
| rent; buy off-plan or re-sale; or build your own home. | | | | situation. Being honest about your budget and |
| And if you need personal care you can retain your | | | | lifestyle aspirations - as well as a host of practical |
| independence in assisted living accommodation - | | | | considerations - is key to achieving happiness when |
| where domestic assistance is available, plus additional | | | | moving house in retirement. |
| care and nursing is at hand, should the need arise. | | | | Involving friends and family in the planning process |
| Worldwide, the number of people 65 or older is | | | | can be very helpful, giving you a fresh perspective |
| increasing faster than ever before as we live longer, | | | | and a different point of view. A large number of |
| healthier lives. By 2050, one in five people will be over | | | | charity organisations also offer free help and advice |
| 60. In Europe, where people live longest on average, | | | | on all manner of housing matters - from where key |
| one out of every five people is already sixty-plus - | | | | retirement developers are building in the UK and |
| and by 2020 a fifth of the UK population will be | | | | which local authorities have rural rentals, to where to |
| pensioners. While some people work on past the | | | | find park home sites and assisted living facilities. |
| traditional retirement age, others are deciding to | | | | The retirement property sector has many specialist |
| retire younger, taking advantage of recent rises in | | | | developers, building a variety of property types |
| property values to enjoy a lifestyle change in the UK | | | | specifically for retirees. Some mainstream developers |
| or abroad. Modern retirees range from 50 to 90, and | | | | also have retirement divisions creating developments |
| the array of property choices available reflects their | | | | aimed at older buyers. Very few estate agents |
| diversity. For example, early retirement may result in | | | | specialise in retirement property, but a growing |
| downsizing at 55 to a swish city apartment, while | | | | number do handle re-sales. Most developers prefer to |
| later in life a property with a house manager and | | | | re-sell their own portfolio, so it is often better to |
| extra security for complete peace of mind is more | | | | contact them directly. |
| suitable. | | | | |