60 + property - why?

margaretclare

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

Having come late to this thread - but my answer to that one is a resounding "No".

Though I'm only in my 60s - I do find that a high proportion of people even in that age group (ie not elderly yet) have got such a "fixed/set in stone" way of looking at things that it's quite shocking to me.

There may be an element in that - not sure how big? - of having moved from a modern city to a small town that is about 20 years behind the times in many ways:(. But I've certainly been surprised at the way I see little evidence in some of them of "keeping up" with things and I swear the next person that expects me to subscribe to a more rigid/old-fashioned mindset, as I'm apparently "wrong" for not doing so:rotfl: will find the comment they get back will be very "short, sharp and very much to the point:cool:".

I am promising myself that the next person that tells me/implies I'm "wrong" about something just because I have a different viewpoint to them is likely to get me "taking a swing at them". Whereas younger people are much less likely to (as their minds are rather less likely to have "set in stone").

I couldn't agree more. I'm in my 9th decade and I don't get on all that well with my own age-group. DH and I do not think that way.

I had it years ago being told I 'should be at home, not out at work'. Or that I 'shouldn't be paying full stamp' (n.b. younger people look that up) or that I needn't pay into the pension scheme at work - let my husband support me. Oh yeah?

Even now - if I let slip that I'm still saving - what are you saving FOR? Well, for eventualities that may still happen, that we don't know about.

Or people who don't want to dip their toes into modern technology - 'why do you NEED a mobile phone?' 'Well, because it can be/has been a life-saver...'

margaretclare

humptydumptybits wrote: »

If people lack capacity you can put them somewhere they don't want to be. With my family we all agreed on a home and we were told we either got her there, by deception or whatever it took, or they would be sending a ambulance and she would be detained by force if necessary. If people aren't safe then someone has to take responsibility.

Absolutely chilling. Reminiscent of 'The Woman in White' on BBC1 (the book is worth reading).

WeeMidgie

This is a very interesting discussion. Next week, I'm moving into a 20 year old retirement flat in a town I spend most of my social time in. All the devaluation has happened, and these ones are popular due to their brilliant location and neighbourhood facilities. I offered consecutively on two other flats in the development before I was successful and it was third time lucky.

The town I'm moving to is more expensive for house buying generally, and because these flats are reasonably priced, and the management fees are low, buying one of them in my case fits my budget. I'm able to keep on my house and rent it out, and gain much needed income (state pension not due till late next year).

I'm in my mid 60s, I have an active social life, and it's quite appealing to me that someone else can see to the maintenance, cutting grass, etc.. Major repairs require the prior consent of the residents, who employ a firm of factors to administer the property and the warden, who is on site for 7 hours a day. It's not a Peveril place. When sold, only 1 percent of the sale price goes into a repair and refurbishment fund held by the factor.

This is a positive choice for people like myself who want to enjoy life and leave the tasks we find hard or boring to someone else. I'll be taking down the red emergency cords, as have many in the development. I think in the future new technology will cause these to be phased out.

My offspring live overseas, so I'll be able to lock up and leave to go and visit them, knowing the flat is secure. The offspring are happy that I'm making a positive move, with a bit of built in future proofing.

For me there are more pluses than minuses. I do agree that there's a move towards developers setting up newer retirement developments as dripping roasts, and I wonder if there are sufficient numbers of wealthier retired people to sustain them.