Entering retirement is a significant milestone, and one of the most crucial decisions you are likely to make at this time is how you plan on living now that you are no longer in work.

The decision to move into a retirement village is often accompanied by a myriad of emotions, ranging from excitement about the prospect of new experiences and a supportive community, to apprehension about leaving your familiar surroundings. However, with careful planning and consideration, this transition can lead to a vibrant and fulfilling new chapter in your life.

1. Find your ideal location

Location should be one of your first considerations when choosing your ideal retirement home, because it will give you a clearer picture of what is available to you, and can help you more clearly define your priorities.

For example, if your health necessitates regular hospital appointments then finding a retirement home that’s close to a town with regular transport links might be one of the most important things for you. Or, you may find that, as a retiree, being within walking distance of your family is what you wish for the most.

Driving might be comfortable for you now, but you should make sure that you have everything you need within an accessible distance.

Some retirement villages, like Inchmarlo, will have regular bus services from their location so you can easily access local towns, shops, green spaces and hospitals.

2. Pick the right type of property for you

There are plenty of different types of retirement housing available that will suit your needs and your tastes. You can choose apartments, houses, properties that come with a plot of land, properties situated on the ground floor for ease of access or assisted living in a care home.

These properties are designed with retirement in mind, which means they will all be fitted with accessibility features, around-the-clock security, and a community focussed lifestyle with social activities for like-minded people.

However, these are just the things that come as standard.

When choosing the type of property that suits you, whether you live alone or with your significant other, you should consider:

The number of bedrooms you need: If you wish to have friends and family stay at your retirement home, then you may wish for more bedrooms. Additional bedrooms can also be used as a study, hobby room, library, designated television room or storage for lifelong collections.
Whether the retirement village allows pets: If you have a companion animal that you wish to take with you to your retirement home, you will need to check that this is accommodated. Some retirement homes will allow you to bring well behaved pets, and will make sure that they are welcomed and comfortable in your new house.
The option of ground floor or first floor properties: Whilst some retirees may prefer the luxury of an apartment with a balcony to sip coffee on a warm morning, many would prefer a ground floor space as it is more accessible. However, if first floor properties are accessible via a lift or stairlift, then this may not be a problem.
The appropriateness of kitchen facilities: Most retirees will prefer to have a fully functional and equipped kitchen in order to self-cater, and it is rare to find a retirement property without one. However, it is always worth viewing the property to make sure the layout is good for you.

We understand that wheelchair users and people with reduced mobility in their hands will require modified kitchen features, and that work may be required to ensure it is suitable for you.

Does the property require renovation: Some retirement properties may require a touch of work. You may be seeking a project, and find that the property offers a blank slate and therefore a bit of renovation work can be exciting.

But, if you do not have the capability or budget to invest in upgrading your property then you must make sure that you have chosen a property that you can move straight into.

Whether you need a single storey property: Although we don’t like to think about it, we all get a little bit less able as we age, and this varies from person to person. Having a single storey property can remove the difficulty that climbing stairs presents.

3. Ask about accessibility and safety

When you retire, you will want access to the highest level of security and accessibility in order to feel safe in some of the most vulnerable years of your life.

When searching for your perfect retirement community, look for features such as:

24 hour CCTV
Security wardens
Emergency property assistance
Access to on call support and information
Emergency help-call units fitted in your home

4. Find a community with activities that you love

Retirement brings with it plenty of time to spend doing the things that you love, taking up new hobbies, making new friends and pampering yourself. So, you must make sure that the community you choose provides plenty of opportunities to do just that.

At Inchmarlo Retirement Village, we promote active retirement living and as such, we put together a weekly calendar of activities to suit everyone. From appointments at our hair salon to book groups, church visits, food tasting and tai chi, you will have easy access to both active activities and social groups with like-minded people to look forward to.

5. Enquire about the culture and community

The community that you have access to is just as important as any activity. When you are looking at properties, it is important to pay the retirement village a visit to make sure you feel comfortable within the community that you are investing in.

6. Weigh the cost against your budget

If you are purchasing a retirement property then the chances are you already have a budget in mind. You may have been saving for retirement for years, or perhaps you are using your hard earned pension to invest in community-based living.

However you are paying for your property, you will want to make sure that you can afford to sustain it.

You will need to consider:

The cost of the property
The cost of home insurance (some retirement villages will manage this on your behalf)
Service charges
Utility bills, council tax and TV licence
Wifi and streaming costs
Groceries

Many of the costs you will pay will align with living outside of a retirement village. The benefits you will gain from living within the community should be on par with realistic, and affordable living expenses.

Companies like Pension Buddy can help you estimate how much your pensions will be worth, so you can be fully prepared for retirement.

7. Consider the level of care you need

Everybody ages, but this looks different for individual people. When you move to a retirement village, you may feel completely able to manage independent living and simply wish to have a more active and permanent community around you. Therefore you will require little care imminently.

However, if you have chosen to move to a retirement village because you are in need of assistance in your day-to-day life, or anticipate that you or your partner will do in the future, then the care you are offered could determine your quality of life in the coming years.

One of the most important aspects of care to look for is 24/7 access nurse care assistants, registered nurses and care assistants. Make sure your property is fitted with an emergency button or help-call service within easy reach.

Access to on-site facilities like restaurants, salons, drawing rooms, and gardens, and home grocery deliveries mean that you have everything you need on site, and only need to leave the retirement village when you feel comfortable and able.

When care is available at all times, you will be able to stay in your own home far longer, and the peace of mind that comes with access to care means you never have to worry that you are on your own.

At Inchmarlo Retirement Village, we have over 180 retirement homes in 9 neighbourhoods where homeowners can enjoy an active social life within a secure community of like minded people. We have a wide range of retirement homes in Banchory, Aberdeen including houses and bungalows with private driveways and gardens, and apartments with balconies.

We encourage independent and active retirement living, and our aim is to provide safety and security, within a social community of like-minded retirees.

Take a look at our retirement homes for sale, or discover our care home if your needs are more suited to full-time care.