Where to retire?

Many people consider moving home during their retirement years. Perhaps the upkeep of a large family home is too much or paying to heat it is costing too much. It’s not just about downsizing though as many prefer to live in quieter locations among people of a similar age. This is why retirement villages and park home sites are so popular. If you’re thinking about a move, here are some tips for choosing the right location:

Livability

This should be the number one consideration. How livable is a particular community or neighbourhood? Where you live has a significant impact on your health as you age and even what age we live to. Livability can include a number of different factors that include but are not limited to, weather, access to health care, community and amenities.

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A community is deemed to be livable when it is:

• Safe and those who live there feel safe and respected.
• There is affordable access to healthcare, transport, recreation activities and housing.
• There are ample opportunities to be active in the community, whether that’s economically, socially or civically.
• The right support is available if a person is no longer able to care for themselves.

Housing

For an area to be livable, it must have access to good quality, affordable housing. We spend more time in our homes than anywhere else so it must be a good fit. For full details on Gloucester Park Homes, go to a site such as www.parkhomelife

Area

The more amenities like shops, parks, cinemas and libraries a neighbourhood has, the higher it scores on the livability index.

Environment

An area is more livable if there is an abundance of fresh air, clean water supplies and local policies to protect the environment and wildlife, for example.

Transport

Our ability to get around and get where we need to be has a significant impact on quality of life, especially for older people. For those relying on public transport, a neighbourhood will be more livable if it has good transport links.

Opportunity

This is another important area and represents the amount of diversity and opportunity there is for people of all backgrounds and ages to come together as a community.

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Health

This is one of the most important considerations when choosing a place to live, especially as we age. There must be access to good healthcare services, as well as places to socialise, exercise and nourish our bodies and minds.

Engagement

How much opportunity there is to engage in the community is also important. Connected communities are far better for residents to interact with one another, be it online or in person.

Using these different criteria, it is possible to compare different areas and neighbourhoods to see which one scores higher in terms of livability. Before making any decisions on where to move in retirement, it is a good idea to look at all of these factors so you can enjoy a comfortable and content retirement.