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In later life, many of us start rethinking our living arrangements. Maybe you’ve found yourself in a bigger home than you need, or perhaps you dream of relocating somewhere new, like the coast or countryside.
For many, later-living communities are a great solution, offering built-in social connections, minimal home maintenance, excellent on-site facilities, and top-class security – all in convenient and sought-after locations.
Still, if you or a loved one is considering moving to a later-living community, you might be wondering: When’s the right time?
The truth is, there’s no right time. Everyone’s situation is different, and what feels right for one person may not suit another. But asking yourself some key questions can help you choose with confidence.
That’s why we’ve partnered with Pegasus Homes, who build and maintain high-quality independent later-living communities across England. With their help, we’ve put together seven questions to help you decide if it’s the right time to make the move.
What is a later-living community?
With so many housing options available for older adults, it can be helpful to define what we mean by a ‘later-living community’.
Later living communities offer purpose-built housing for older adults who want to maintain their independence, with the bonus of joining a community of people at similar life stages.
What’s included varies from place to place, but many later-living communities have communal areas, such as shared lounges, wellness facilities, and landscaped gardens – plus calendars of social events and activities.
It’s worth noting that while later-living communities typically offer practical support, such as on-site teams and 24/7 emergency call systems, they aren’t care homes. Many are designed for older adults who can live completely independently. However, some offer integrated care options for people who need them.
7 questions to help you decide if it’s the right time to move to a later-living community
As we’ve said, there’s no single ‘right’ time to move to a later-living community – and for some, it may never be the right choice. What matters most is taking time to reflect on what suits you and the lifestyle you’d like to lead.
We hope the questions below can help you think things through and make a decision that feels right.
1. Would you like to travel more?
Retirement is an exciting life chapter full of possibilities. It can allow more time to follow our dreams and passions – whether that means getting stuck into hobbies, spending time with family, or exploring the world.
If travelling is one of your goals, moving to a later-living community could make it simpler and more enjoyable. This is largely due to the peace of mind that comes with knowing your home is safe and secure while you’re away.
For example, Pegasus Homes communities are equipped with security measures like on-site teams and CCTV around buildings and communal spaces, allowing many of their residents to pursue a ‘lock up and leave’ lifestyle.
Peter, who lives at Pegasus Homes’ Belle Vue community in Hampstead, used to spend his time between Belle Vue and his second home in Croatia. He says, “It was so reassuring and satisfying to know that I could just lock up my home and leave and come back and all would be well.’’
Plus, because communal spaces are maintained at later-living communities, you don’t have to worry about returning to an overgrown garden or an unswept driveway, as you might with a conventional home.
Downsizing to a smaller retirement property can also save money to spend on travel – whether exploring more of the UK or jetting off to far-flung destinations.
2. Could you benefit from downsizing?
In later life, many of us find ourselves with homes that are larger than we need, creating unnecessary maintenance and expenses. But downsizing to a smaller home in a later-living community could save time, energy, and money to put towards the things that matter most.
For example, switching to a smaller home can reduce household chores, some of which can become more challenging with age. It can also cut any costs you might otherwise spend on cleaners and other maintenance workers.
In a later-living community, you probably won’t need to worry about maintaining your home’s exterior – for example, roof repair and window cleaning – as this is generally covered in the service charge* (the annual fee residents pay towards the building’s upkeep and insurance).
You can also enjoy communal areas like lounges and gardens without worrying about upkeep, as this is provided as well. “It’s like having your garden but without the work,” says Brenda, who lives at Highfields, Pegasus Homes’ community in West Byfleet. “And we haven’t had to mow the lawn once!”
Depending on your circumstances, downsizing to a later-living community could also save you money – not just in housing costs, but energy bills, too. Pegasus Homes, for example, are thoughtfully built to keep energy costs down, with double glazing, efficient appliances and heating systems, and LED bulbs that maximise natural light.
3. Are you seeking social connections?
It’s not uncommon for people to become more isolated in later life – perhaps due to the loss of a partner or mobility issues making social meet-ups more challenging. But try to remember that loneliness isn’t an inevitable part of ageing, and can significantly harm our health and happiness.
While moving home isn’t the only way to tackle loneliness in later life, feeling isolated may be a sign that it’s time for a change.
Later-living communities, such as Pegasus Homes, offer a ready-made community of people at similar life stages. And with various communal spaces, clubs, and activities, they’re designed with social interaction in mind.
For example, Chris and Jane Sherlock, who moved to Lichfield Bonds, Pegasus Homes’ later living community in Lichfield, say…
“Where we lived previously, you could go entire days without seeing anyone.” By contrast, “everyone here is friendly and put[s] a lot of effort into making newcomers feel welcome, which is supported by the excellent in-house team. There are various events and activities hosted by the team, which you can opt in or out of, depending on your preference.”
Activities at Pegasus Homes communities range from trips and craft classes to social events, such as sundowner drinks and fish and chips evenings.
Plus, later-living communities typically have communal spaces and guest suites for hosting friends and family. They’re also often located within walking distance of thriving towns with good transport links, helping residents maintain social connections further afield, too.
4. Could you benefit from a more accessible home?
Another sign that it may be time to move to a retirement community is that your current home no longer meets your accessibility needs.
For example, Brenda moved from her house in Walton-on-Thames to Highfields with her husband. “I used to miss the bottom step all the time [at my previous home],” she says, so finding a more accessible, step-free apartment with Pegasus Homes was important to her.
Beyond offering step-free apartments, later-living communities are designed with accessibility in mind. Pegasus Homes aims to create homes that comply with M4(2) standards, making them accessible and adaptable. This means that they’re built for people with a range of mobility limitations, and will hopefully suit residents as their needs change over time.
All Pegasus Homes communal areas and external spaces are also fully wheelchair accessible, featuring wide and level thresholds, step-free access, and communal lifts. Some homes are fully wheelchair accessible, too, if that’s something you or your loved one needs.
5. Do you need some extra support?
Needing extra support could signal that it’s the right time to move to later-life housing. However, the level of support you or your loved one needs will determine what type is best.
Independent living communities, such as those built and managed by Pegasus Homes, are ideal for people who can live independently but may benefit from occasional support services (or the peace of mind that comes with knowing they are available).
These services may include 24/7 call alarms, in case of a fall or other emergency, and on-site teams, who can offer help and guidance with additional upkeep, like laundry and light household cleaning (typically at an extra cost).
Or, if you or your loved one needs more support, an assisted living community, care home, or nursing home may be better.
In assisted living communities, you can still live independently, only with even more support on hand if you need it. Care homes are designed for individuals who need full-time support, for example, with eating, bathing, or dressing. And nursing homes are similar to care homes, but provide registered nursing care for residents with medical needs.
6. Would you like to focus on your health and wellbeing?
Another benefit of later-living communities is that they make it simple and convenient for residents to prioritise their health and wellbeing. So, if this is something you or your loved one would like to focus on, it could be time to take the leap.
Many later-living communities provide on-site health and wellbeing facilities. These differ from place to place, which is worth remembering when choosing a community.
For example, Pegasus Homes’ Cobham Bowers community in Surrey boasts a stretch studio, where residents can enjoy activities like yoga and Pilates. On the other hand, Belle Vue in Hampstead has a lap pool, if swimming is more your speed. Some communities (like Steepleton in Tetbury) also have spas and saunas to unwind in.
Pegasus Homes also runs various health and fitness classes for residents, from Tai Chi and chair yoga to leisurely group walks. Plus, joining regular classes can mean being more sociable, which can offer many health benefits, including reduced stress, better immunity, and improved cognitive function.
7. Is there somewhere you’ve always wanted to live?
Whether it’s by the coast, in the countryside, or in a bustling city, many of us have somewhere we’ve always dreamt about living. Work, family, and other commitments may have previously made this option difficult, but later life can give us the freedom to finally make these goals happen.
Take Anne, for example, who moved to Pegasus Homes’ Lymington Gate community in the heart of the New Forest. Lymington’s natural spaces and famous wildlife held a special place in her heart ever since she spent time there as a child.
“I do believe it is fate that I have ended up in Lymington,” Anne says. “I always wanted to move back here since I was a child. It definitely feels like a homecoming.”
Of course, you don’t need to move to a later-living community to live somewhere you’ve always dreamed of, but their in-built support and social connections can help make the transition easier. It can be less daunting when moving somewhere new, knowing that there’s a warm and welcoming community waiting for you.
Final thoughts…
Deciding where to spend your retirement years is a big decision – and everyone’s journey is different. So, while we hope the questions above have helped you start thinking about what’s best for your future, it’s important to take your time.
It can be helpful to talk things through with family and other loved ones, who may offer useful perspectives and support you throughout the decision-making process. Consulting with a financial advisor to make sure your decision aligns with your financial goals can also be valuable. And it’s worth visiting multiple retirement communities to find one that’s best for you.
If you’re interested in moving to a later-living community, head over to the Pegasus Homes website to discover their communities.
They’re currently offering a choice of benefits for people who reserve a Pegasus Home by 31st March 2026. These are: paid-for stamp duty (tier 1), a 5% discount on the purchase of the property, or 50% off your service charge for five years. Terms and conditions apply.