After living in a luxurious flat in a Grade Two Listed building in Buxton, Derbyshire, 80 year old Jackie Corrigan decided it was time for a change.
Jackie had lived in the flat for three and half years, ever since her husband had sadly passed away. However, she was very lonely there. It was a private rental and although there were a few retired people living there it wasn’t specifically for retired people.
Jackie explains, “The flat was located in a beautiful building, but I was lonely as people kept themselves to themselves. There were no communal areas to socialise in. Also, I was renting a ground floor flat that overlooked a busy street. It wasn’t very well insulated so was quite cold in winter, plus the windows didn’t open.”
Time to Move to A Retirement Community
She decided it was time to move and started to search for a new flat. She wasn’t specifically looking to move into a retirement community. But during her search she came across a one-bedroom flat being advertised in her local paper through Girlings Retirement Rentals.
The flat was in a specialist retirement development for the over 60s called Homemoss House in Buxton. This wasn’t too far from where she was living. The development has 37 one and two bedroom flats, and also accepts cats and dogs. (subject to terms of the lease and landlord permission).
When Jackie saw it advertised, the UK was still under Covid-19 restrictions so she couldn’t make an appointment to view it. She decided to take a drive there to look at the outside and thought the development looked lovely. It has beautiful, manicured gardens and as it was a sunny day, she noticed some residents sitting outside. She decided to pop over and say hello.
A Socially Distanced Tour
Jackie says, “A lovely lady called Ann spoke to me. I explained I was looking to move and that there was a property available in the development. Although I couldn’t go in due to Covid, Ann very kindly took me on a socially distanced tour around the grounds and I could peer through the window of the ground floor flat that was available. The flat was very private and at the back of the development, which looked perfect for me.”
Jackie contacted Girlings who went through the rental process with her. Once she was able to view the flat Girlings showed her round and she decided it was exactly what she was looking for. She moved in at the end of July 2020.
Jackie is renting on an assured shorthold tenancy, but she has no intention of moving again so may switch to an assured ‘lifetime’ tenancy, something Girlings offers on most of its properties.
Just What She Wanted
Although Jackie has only been there a few months she absolutely loves living in the retirement community. She has quickly made friends and is looking forward to enjoying lots of social activities with them. The development is quiet, and the flat is very well insulated, so it will be lovely and warm in the winter. It’s also only a short walk into the centre of the town.
Jackie says, “I was very lonely in my previous flat but since moving here I’ve been much happier. I’ve made new friends and a few of us regularly sit outside for a natter and cup of tea. Currently the communal lounge is closed due to Covid restrictions, which has meant many of the usual activities such as afternoon teas, bingo and quizzes can’t happen. But I will be keen on joining in once these resume.”
The Final Task
Jackie is also looking forward to moving her organ in which has been at her son’s house for the past three and half years, as her previous flat was too small for it.
Jackie adds, “I’ve been playing the organ for 20 years or so and have really missed playing. One of the attractions of moving here is the flat is big enough to accommodate my organ. Luckily the flat is well insulated so hopefully I won’t annoy my neighbours when I start playing!
“I highly recommend moving into a retirement community. As a woman living alone it’s really reassuring to know I have people I can speak to and socialise with, plus the house manager is wonderful. The team at Girlings has been great and very professional in all their dealings with me.”
To find out more about renting a home in a retirement development visit www.girlings.co.uk
