Retirement complexes

missile

beaujolais-nouveau wrote: »

... I don't know what the drill is in other retirement complexes but, in the one my mother lived at, if the fire alarm went off you had to remain in your flat. ...

That seems crazy to me. If a fire alarm went off, I would make a speedy exit - irrespective of any rule.

Swanlander

I never realised this thread would grow like this! All views welcome but I still like the idea of a complex at 60.

yangptangkipperbang

Blue_Max wrote: »

BTW. by contarst, with all new developments in the recent years, other than retirement housing, regulations require that parking spaces are provided.

I would strongly dispute that statement.
The Labour Government brought in legislation in 2001 "that required councils to limit the number of parking spaces allowed in new residential developments and set high parking charges to encourage the use of alternative modes of transport."
Many Councils now deliberately limit the number of parking spaces in work places AND shopping areas to force people to use public transport.

Blue_Max

Originally Posted by Blue_Max
BTW. by contarst, with all new developments in the recent years, other than retirement housing, regulations require that parking spaces are provided.

yangptangkipperbang wrote: »

I would strongly dispute that statement.
The Labour Government brought in legislation in 2001 "that required councils to limit the number of parking spaces allowed in new residential developments and set high parking charges to encourage the use of alternative modes of transport."
Many Councils now deliberately limit the number of parking spaces in work places AND shopping areas to force people to use public transport.

Do the councils have many new residential developments these days?
Does the legislation you refer to, also apply to recent or new residential developments in the private sector?
As you seemed to be knowledgeable about this topic, could you please clarify the regulations about car parking spaces in retirement type properties?
Thanks

yangptangkipperbang

Blue_Max wrote: »

Do the councils have many new residential developments these days?
Does the legislation you refer to, also apply to recent or new residential developments in the private sector?

Councils, not many. Mainly Housing Associations nowadays.

Yes - all developments.

Blue_Max wrote: »

As you seemed to be knowledgeable about this topic, could you please clarify the regulations about car parking spaces in retirement type properties?
Thanks

As far as I am aware there is no actual legislation (beyond that already mentioned - even that is not a strict definition, merely an instruction to "modify" the planning guidelines) but it is up to the developer to provide, what he considers to be, adequate parking. If you are considering buying one of these properties, and intend running a car, lack of parking would make you go elsewhere - so it is not in the developer's own interest to provide inadequate parking.
As people become older the number of those who drive becomes fewer. Therefore a retirement complex would have a lower % of spaces to people than would a new general housing estate. A new estate would be expected to provide close to 100% parking (on plot - on street parking is now made much more difficult by narrow twisting roads with "pinch" points) - a retirement complex would provide 25 - 50%, with the capability to provide more if needed.

http://www.hbf.co.uk/fileadmin/documents/RHG/BestPractice.pdf

Paras 7.32 to 7.36 of the above gives the guidelines for provision of parking spaces.

To get a better idea of your area you would need to consult your Local Planning Authority's (LPA) Planning Policy Guide (PPG) - good luck with that lot
Unfortunately, a lot of it is almost down to the "personal whim" of the planners

georgiesmum

Beware that as you are fairly young and active the older incapacitated residents will expect you to fetch and carry for them. They will expect you to do their shopping and minor household things. We are in our 70s and were planning on moving to one. On going to view we were stopped 4 times with requests to, go to the shop, change a light bulb, "do you know anything about fixing the telly ". We have changed our minds now and will look for a regular flat.

Miss_Havisham

My mum lives in a Peverel retirement complex and at 88 she loves it and it's ideal for her. There are younger women (65+) and I think they might get bored at times - they buzz around organising Avon parties, Scrabble afternoons and lunches out, with varying degrees of success. They also potter in the communal gardens.

If you would be motivated to get out and about, pursue interests, join clubs, entertain family and friends etc (in other words lead a full life) then I don't think the age gap would be too much of a problem. However if you are looking to the other residents for friends and a social life I think you would struggle if they are in their late 70's and older. (Broad generalisation I know but drawn from seeing how my mum and her neighbours' behaviour changes noticeably as they age).

Miss H

PS Mum had to leave behind./get rid of large pieces of furniture and some possessions because these flats can be short on space and storage, so take great care to consider this when viewing potential properties. You might not be ready to let go of stuff at 60.

fishergelic

I moved in to a retirement complex two months ago, (renting to see if I like it before committing to buy.) Just thought I would give my feedback as I had lots of anxieties before making the move. I am 64, and yes there are people here who are a lot older than me. But there are also lots of younger people, who like me, are active and busy with their own lives. Yes, there is bingo and quizzes, but it is not compulsory to go!!! There are lots of interesting people here, but individual privacy is respected. Pluses for me have been, the complex is warm, clean, secure. Communal areas are always spotless. It is someone else's problem to sort out the washing machines/dryers if anything goes wrong. Someone else does the garden, and cleans the windows. So stress levels greatly reduced. Complex is in a perfect position, five minutes from City Centre, but overlooking a small wood with lots of wildlife. So overall, it has been a positive experience. There is even a shed for my bike. I think I have struck lucky. Still undecided whether to buy, (but will need to get house sold first). The rent does stretch me a little financially but landlord pays all the service charges for services I benefit from, and other bills are much lower. There are several empty flats, with family of relatives finding difficult to sell, and many people here prefer to rent.
When I was looking for flats, I was offered a flat through a Housing Association, but the rent was only marginally less than the rent here, and the flat was not nearly as nice with fewer amenities. So I would say, don't make assumptions about what it might be like, ( I know I did), and ask people who actually live in the complex before you make a decision.

namecheck

fishergelic wrote: »

I moved in to a retirement complex two months ago, (renting to see if I like it before committing to buy.) Just thought I would give my feedback as I had lots of anxieties before making the move. I am 64, and yes there are people here who are a lot older than me. But there are also lots of younger people, who like me, are active and busy with their own lives. Yes, there is bingo and quizzes, but it is not compulsory to go!!! There are lots of interesting people here, but individual privacy is respected. Pluses for me have been, the complex is warm, clean, secure. Communal areas are always spotless. It is someone else's problem to sort out the washing machines/dryers if anything goes wrong. Someone else does the garden, and cleans the windows. So stress levels greatly reduced. Complex is in a perfect position, five minutes from City Centre, but overlooking a small wood with lots of wildlife. So overall, it has been a positive experience. There is even a shed for my bike. I think I have struck lucky. Still undecided whether to buy, (but will need to get house sold first). The rent does stretch me a little financially but landlord pays all the service charges for services I benefit from, and other bills are much lower. There are several empty flats, with family of relatives finding difficult to sell, and many people here prefer to rent.
When I was looking for flats, I was offered a flat through a Housing Association, but the rent was only marginally less than the rent here, and the flat was not nearly as nice with fewer amenities. So I would say, don't make assumptions about what it might be like, ( I know I did), and ask people who actually live in the complex before you make a decision.

That's very interesting. Thank you for the update.