It provides a host of advantages that can give you extra peace of mind, take the burden of maintenance and chores away, release some of your time for enjoying the things you really love, and allow you to live independently for longer.
McCarthy & Stone is the leading developer and manager of retirement communities in the UK. It’s a fact that when you make the move to a McCarthy & Stone retirement community, it could make you feel 10 years younger[1].
Here are some of the most compelling reasons why:
1. A more suitable place to live
If you are living in your family home in your later years, you may find that it is simply too big for your needs. Walking upstairs, and keeping-up with cleaning, gardening and ongoing maintenance can all become increasingly challenging. Likewise, paying to heat a three or four-bedroom home when there are only one or two people living in it may seem uneconomical and you could be paying out more than you need to.
Moving to a brand-new, well-equipped low maintenance apartment could be just what you need. McCarthy & Stone offers a choice of one or two-bedroom properties, designed to a high specification with modern fixtures and fittings and features such as raised ovens and slip-resistant bathroom flooring to make your life that little bit easier.
Residents can retain their independence well into retirement, with lifts to all floors and wheelchair access throughout each individual development. There are mobility-scooter stores on site, so getting to the shops or the park can be less of an issue. Residents also enjoy landscaped gardens, taken care of by McCarthy & Stone’s on-site team, so you have all the pleasure of a beautiful garden, without having to lift a finger.
At it’s Retirement Living PLUS developments there is also an on-site bistro offering great-value market-fresh meals[2]for the days when you don’t feel like cooking in your own apartment.
Some developments also offer wellbeing suites[3] where you can have your hair cut or receive a range of beauty therapies and treatments; reading rooms with access to books; pool tables and even roof top terraces offering views and a fantastic space to socialise and enjoy the summer months.
There is an on-site guest suite[4] in each development, which is like having your own private hotel room, where you can invite friends and family to come and stay the night – McCarthy & Stone even takes care of the laundry after their visit. Well behaved pets are also welcome at selected developments, so you don’t need to worry about it not being suitable for them – your furry friend can be by your side.
2. Flexible moving options for all
When deciding how you’d like to move, McCarthy & Stone offers different options to suit you and your personal circumstances – whether you wish to purchase an apartment outright, rent or part buy, part rent. The choice is yours.
Purchasing outright
Purchase your new home outright and you can still enjoy all the benefits of home ownership. McCarthy & Stone offers Smooth Move (which includes a removal service, £2,500 towards your estate agent fees and £1,000 towards legal charges) and part exchange services, to help make your move even easier.
Rent
If you opt to rent, you can still enjoy all the advantages of being part of a McCarthy & Stone community without having to sell your current property. You can move in quickly, knowing there’s long-term security with an Assured Tenancy and settle into your new home with minimum fuss. If you’re not sure about your decision to move, renting can be a way in which you can really ‘try before you buy’, with McCarthy & Stone’s rent to buy option also available.
Part buy, part rent
This is a simple way to enjoy the lifestyle without committing to the full purchase price, giving you more financial flexibility for the future.
You can purchase a minimum 50% share in a brand new McCarthy & Stone retirement property, and pay rent on the part you don’t own.
3. Companionship
McCarthy & Stone developments are known for their warm and welcoming communities. When you move in you are likely to meet people who share common interests with you. The social aspect of retirement living is really important, and each development hosts a wide range of events and activities. There is a communal lounge which is an ideal place for getting together over a cup of tea or a glass of prosecco, or for watching a film with some shared company.
You don’t have to be on your own in a McCarthy & Stone development, but if you prefer privacy and some quiet time, you can relax and put your feet up in your apartment – many find a happy balance in doing both.
Most McCarthy & Stone developments are centrally located, with easy access to facilities, shops and cafes for all your day-to-day needs. They are also close to local transport links, so you can easily get around.
One of the great things about this is that many people find they have less reliance on their car once they move in. If driving is a strain, but you’re not ready to put away your driving shoes, participating developments now offer a Car Club[5] – a flexible alternative to the cost of owning and maintaining a car, ready for when you want to get behind the wheel.
4. Access to support when needed
One of the biggest attractions of a retirement community is knowing support is on hand when needed. All apartments have emergency call systems and a House Manager oversees the running of McCarthy & Stone’s Retirement Living developments. They are available during office hours should you need anything.
McCarthy & Stone offers additional support at its Retirement Living Plus developments, including flexible care options. This could be anything from a helping hand when dressing or shopping to more tailored care provision and staff are on-site 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
5. Peace of Mind
For many, getting older can bring with it added worries about feeling safe and secure. Being part of a friendly community, having neighbours close-by and staff on site means there is always someone to keep an eye on things, which can provide peace-of-mind for you and your family.
All McCarthy & Stone developments feature a door-camera entry system at the main entrance, linked to your own television which allows you to check who is calling before permitting access. And if you like to travel, you can ‘lock up and leave’ meaning you can go away in the knowledge that everything at home is left safe and secure.
How to contact McCarthy & Stone
Freephone:
0800 201 4782
Website:
[1] Based on a selection of national well-being criteria such as happiness and life satisfaction, an average person aged 80 feels as good as someone 10 years younger after moving from mainstream housing to housing specially designed for later living.
[2] Additional charges apply.
[3] Additional charges apply.
[4] Additional charges apply.
[5] Additional charges apply
