Downsizing and heating costs

carefullycautious

I would love to hear from people who have downsized and taken into consideration the utility costs for their new property.So, what did you move to and why.

Also I have been looking at retirement bungalows but the outrageous(I think) fee of nearly 400 pounds a month for maintainance, warden etc and the taking of a percentage of the property if sold really puts me off.

Reading up on leasehold properties on here has really put me off

I am finding it a minefield to know just what type of property will be suitable long term that is economical to run and is in a quiet area without marouding kids.

Park homes have their problems too so that is out although I love the concept of living somewhere peaceful.

I also dont want to be in the middle of nowhere as I find I like to be able to get to local shops etc.

EEEkkkk decisions decisions

Would love to hear what you all did when faced with these decisions. I must add Im not in a position where money is no object

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EdInvestor

carefullycautious wrote: »

Also I have been looking at retirement bungalows but the outrageous(I think) fee of nearly 400 pounds a month for maintainance, warden etc and the taking of a percentage of the property if sold really puts me off.

Agreed.

Reading up on leasehold properties on here has really put me off

If you won't do leasehold, then you have to rule out all flats.If you do your research and understand the issues l/h need not be a problem - after all neighbours can be just as difficult in houses.

Park homes have their problems too so that is out

Agreed.

You seem to be worried about a lot more than heating costs.;):)

What type of home do you live in now?

[Deleted User]

We downsized 5 years ago to a terraced town house in a lovely courtyard development. We are leasehold but that allows us to share lovely facilities of lots of acres of land and grade 2 gardens. We as a group are negotiating for the freehold so we will sort our own management and fees ourselves. About £200 pm management charges so far, gardening etc

Energy costs are very low ie I changed supplier in june and pay a dd of £66 a month but already have a surplus of £194. The house is south facing and is warm whenever the sun shines, even in winter

No marauding children and wonderful company whenever you want it and an unspoken etiquette of privacy. We are free to buy and sell as we wish with no extra charges. A mile from the shops and station and half a mile from buses. It is wonderful

carefullycautious

I think I have spent too long reading all the potential disasters that can happen with leasehold flats, new builds, park homes, exessive costs of retirement complexes etc. This has left me totally confused about how to plan for the next stage in our lives.

We are presently living in GF flat(rented) with a mixed age group around us, ideally I would love somewhere which has over 50s. We are having problems with retirement complexes as they stipulate over 60s and although dh is 60 in two years time I am 9 years younger, so do not know if this would affect us. I dont feel anwhere near ready for sheltered housing.

Kittie your home sounds lovely but where do you find out about developments like this?

Im quite happy living in a town just would like somewhere more peaceful although I know that you can have problems anywhere.

I think I will just keep my eye open for a bungalow. I do look at what heating costs will be so dont want too old a property that takes a lot of heating. Not sure which age of property is best as regards this.

The more I think the worse it becomes, just would like to move into the next stage of our lives feeling settled and for long term

Thanks for your replies

EdInvestor

carefullycautious wrote: »

Kittie your home sounds lovely but where do you find out about developments like this?

I suggest you take your time to visit all the estate agents in your town( and perhaps others you fancy), and explain what you have in mind. There may not be anything immediately available but they will know of upcoming developments and can put you on their information lists. You might even find a couple of helpful ones!

To my mind you are too young for retirement complexes, the age profile is generally in the 70s+ , a generation away for you.

The advantage with developments like Kittie's is that you don't have to deal with garden maintenance, which is what usually defeats people about bungalows in the end.

luckyd

my husband and i have moved to sheltered housing, admittedly because of his health. However, anyone can apply. our rent includes a communal wash room and driers with no charge. This saves on water bills and our heating is charged incredidably at the moment at £22 direct debit a month.

The only outdoor aspect is one wall of window in lounge, kitchen and bedroom thus keeping costs low. Hope this helps

margaretclare

We've just discovered that the energy provider owes us for gas and electricity that we've been paying for by monthly D/D. Total approx £240, and now we've asked for it back, they're going to refund it!

DH went to look at flats in a retirement complex recently - it's where I go for a fitness class sitting on chairs. He thinks there are advantages, but the flats are just too tiddly. The one-bedroom one for sale would have room for our king-sized bed but the 2-bedroom one wouldn't - same total floor space. We wouldn't have the same amount of space we have here, and this is only a 2-bedroom bungalow!! But we have a kitchen-diner - only very small kitchen there, would have to eat in the lounge. No shower - we'd have to install one if we wanted one.

DH said 'if I was on my own, which God forbid...' but at present, no. Maybe when we get past 80.

EdInvestor

There are an increasing number of stories appearing now about rip-offs at retirement complexes, with some managing agents making very high charges which elderly residents find hard to resist.

Be very careful to scrutinise the lease and accounts of such apartments very carefully and it may be worth finding out who is managing the complex and researching their reputation too.

margaretclare

Especially McCarthy & Stone. There is a long-running discussion thread on the Age Concern Discussions site about them.

Savvy_Sue

You may find that some Housing Associations and the local council offer some flats to the over 50s only - they do round here. Although there is usually some kind of warden service, you can arrange for a weekly rather than a daily call.

I have a friend in her 60s who has just moved into a rented Methodist Homes flat, she's still working and driving, as are several other residents, and it's lovely! Some of the flats in the complex were sold but hers is unusual so it didn't sell. She's got company if she wants it, but not if she doesn't.

The great thing is that she'll be able to stay here even if she loses her mobility - shower room, sockets and light switches at a sensible height, wide doors etc.

seven-day-weekend

I personally would HATE to live in a retirement complex in my 60s - I wouldn't want to do it unless I had lost my mobility etc - I would much rather live out in the community with its mix of ages. I agree with Margaret Clare, I would have to be VERY elderly and infirm to consider them.

Still, each to their own.