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For many, making the most of later life can involve moving home. Perhaps you’re thinking about relocating to the coast or countryside, or maybe you’d like to be closer to friends and family. Downsizing to a smaller property can also free up time and money to spend on fulfilling your later-life dreams.
Whatever your reasons for moving, an independent living community could be the perfect solution. These vibrant communities are purpose-built to help people get the most from later life, offering built-in socialisation, safety and security, classes and clubs, and easy access to on-site facilities.
But with so many independent living communities out there, how do you decide which could be for you? With this in mind, we’ve partnered with Life in Place, part of Anchor, to bring you 11 questions to ask when searching for the perfect later life home.
From the rolling Peak District to the hubbub of Hackney, Life in Place offers independent living homes across England, each one thoughtfully designed to focus on lifestyle, choice, and comfort at every stage of life.
Thinking about an independent living community?
1. Is there an age requirement?
Many independent living communities have minimum age requirements for residents. This isn’t to exclude anyone, but to help create a like-minded community of people who are at similar stages of life.
Age requirements can vary between communities, so it’s important to check each one. Life in Place residents must be over 55, but some communities extend this to 60 or even 65.
2. What activities and events do they run?
One of the best things about independent living communities is that they typically run vibrant calendars of events, clubs, and activities to help residents live life to the fullest. These can range from exercise classes, such as walking groups and gentle chair yoga sessions, to social gatherings, like coffee mornings and book clubs.
What’s on can vary greatly between communities, so it’s worth exploring which best align with your goals and interests before making your choice.
That said, your interests can also change over time. What you enjoy today might not be what you enjoy in two or three years. So it’s also worth finding out how much say residents get over the activities and events their community runs. One of the best ways to do this is by speaking to residents at open events, like the coffee mornings run by Life in Place.
3. What facilities are on-site?
Many modern independent living communities boast on-site facilities that residents can use. These range from cafes and restaurants to spas and gyms. You could even choose a community (like The Chimes in West Yorkshire) with an on-site hair and beauty salon, if you’d enjoy the occasional makeover without leaving the grounds. So again, it’s worth considering which amenities would best support this life chapter before making a decision.
Thinking of making a move?
Discover a world of possibilities with Life in Place’s later living developments. Life in Place, from Anchor, believes your next move should be your best. With over 60 years of experience behind them, they’ll help you choose well and live well.
Independent living exclusively for over 55s, with flexible ways to buy.
Choose more from later life.
4. How well connected is it?
For many of us, public transport links become increasingly important as we age – not just for getting to the shops or appointments, but for maintaining social connections.
And while independent living communities offer fulfilling on-site communities, keeping up those wider social links is still key to a happy and healthy later life. So it’s important to consider how well connected each one is. For example, Pemberley Place, located in the countryside overlooking Bath, offers easy access to this historic Georgian city, plus great links with the wider country.
As well as trains and buses, you might also want to think about how easy it is to reach an airport, especially if travelling is a priority for you. For example, Bishopstoke Park, Life in Place’s community in the bucolic Hampshire countryside, is ideal for jetstters eager to explore Europe, being just 11 minutes from Southampton Airport by taxi.
5. Can friends and family visit?
Whether it’s a quick cuppa with a neighbour or having loved ones to stay from overseas, many of us enjoy hosting family and friends, and don’t necessarily want to stop when we move to an independent living community. With this in mind, it’s important to check each community’s policy on hosting guests to make sure it’s suitable for your needs.
For example, at Life in Place communities, you’re free to entertain visitors in your apartment and the communal spaces. And if you don’t have space for them to stay overnight in your home, many developments have guest suites, which you can book for a small fee, giving you the freedom to downsize without some of the space limitations.
6. Are pets allowed?
One of the most persistent myths about independent living communities is that you can’t bring your animal companion with you. But many welcome pets, provided they’re well-behaved and suitable for the space.
However, every retirement living community has a different pet policy – i.e. some may restrict certain animals, breeds, or sizes. The management team for each community you’re considering will be best placed to confirm if they can accommodate yours.
Life in Place communities operate with a pet-friendly policy, but you’ll need permission from the management team before moving in to make sure the property is suitable for your pet’s size and needs, and that it won’t disturb other residents.
7. What extra support services do they offer?
Independent living communities offer a range of support services to help residents live independently for longer. What’s available, and whether it’s covered by your service charge or at extra cost, will depend on the community you choose.
Popular services include on-site location managers who can assist you with day-to-day queries and 24-hour emergency response systems, offering peace of mind that help is there in the event of emergencies, such as falls.
Life in Place residents can also take advantage of unique support services, such as Be Well 360. This holistic wellness programme, available at select developments, is tailored to your goals to support health, happiness, and independence.
Thinking of making a move?
Discover a world of possibilities with Life in Place’s later living developments. Life in Place, from Anchor, believes your next move should be your best. With over 60 years of experience behind them, they’ll help you choose well and live well.
Independent living exclusively for over 55s, with flexible ways to buy.
Choose more from later life.
8. What happens if I need care?
While many offer varying degrees of support, independent living communities don’t typically provide care. Instead, they’re aimed at older adults who can live completely independently but would like to join a welcoming community of similarly aged people.
However, when choosing a home for your retirement years, it’s important to consider what will happen if you need care in the future – and different independent living communities have different policies on this.
For example, if Life in Place residents find that they can no longer live independently, they’re free to arrange their own additional care in their apartment – whether that’s help with things like housekeeping and personal care or even a live-in carer. Though it’s important to remember that this isn’t included in the residents’ service charge and will be entirely self-funded.
If you or the person you’re searching for needs care now, you might want to explore other later-life housing options that offer more comprehensive support, such as assisted living communities, care homes, and nursing homes.
9. What fees are involved?
Understanding the potential fees involved is key when choosing an independent living community.
For starters, these types of properties are generally leasehold, meaning you’ll need to pay a monthly service charge for the operation and maintenance of the development. It usually includes things like upkeep of shared spaces, utilities (like heat and lighting) for communal areas, and building management expenses, such as security.
If you decide to sell, sublet, or change the tenant of your independent living community property, you may also need to pay an exit fee (also known as a transfer fee or event fee).
Both of these fees can vary considerably depending on the community you choose. According to the HomeOwners Alliance, service charges range from a few hundred pounds per month to over £1,000, and they can increase year on year. Exit fees can be 1% of the sale price through to 35% – though the Leasehold Knowledge Partnership puts the average at around 12%.
With this in mind, it’s important to do thorough research and make sure you understand what you’re signing up for before choosing an independent living community. We recommend seeking independent financial advice before making a decision, and using a conveyancing solicitor who specialises in retirement properties.
10. What safety and security measures are there?
One reason people choose independent living communities is the safety and security they bring. Whether you’re relaxing on the sofa or travelling the globe, they offer a unique peace of mind that your home is being looked after.
We’ve already discussed 24-hour emergency call systems. Still, there are a few other factors to consider when selecting the right community, including the placement of CCTV cameras, the operation of door entry systems, and the availability of building management staff, as these can vary from community to community.
Open days and events where you can chat to residents are also great for getting a more personal idea of how safe and secure a community feels.
11. Are homes designed with accessibility and changing needs in mind?
A home that’s designed in the right way can keep us living independently for longer. This not only means that it’s equipped for our current needs, but also able to adapt to changing needs over time. For example, we might not use a wheelchair now, but we might want to choose a later-life home that’s wheelchair accessible, in case we need one in the future.
One way to determine whether independent living community homes are designed with accessibility and changing needs in mind is to find out whether they comply with the HAPPI principles.
The HAPPI principles are 10 key design criteria. Many are indicative of good design generally (such as good light, ventilation, and storage), but they’re particularly relevant to older adults looking for a home that can adapt to changing needs over time.
Thinking of making a move?
Discover a world of possibilities with Life in Place’s later living developments. Life in Place, from Anchor, believes your next move should be your best. With over 60 years of experience behind them, they’ll help you choose well and live well.
Independent living exclusively for over 55s, with flexible ways to buy.
Choose more from later life.
Final thoughts…
There are many things to consider when choosing a new home – and searching for the perfect independent living community is no different. With this in mind, we couldn’t cover every question to ask yourself here, but hopefully this article offers a useful starting point to help you find the right place for your next chapter.
If you’re thinking about moving to an independent living community, you can register your interest with Life in Place using the button below. Or, to find out more, head over to their website, where you can hear from residents and browse their communities.