A retirement village is not a novelty, but there are not many of them around the world. In this article, we will tell you about the most famous retirement villages. And by the way, one of them is being built in Cyprus!
What are retirement villages?
Imagine that a boarding house for the elderly has been enlarged to a whole village. This would be a retirement village with its own infrastructure, tailored specifically for people over a certain age and physical condition.
As a rule, such settlements have certain requirements for the following points:
- The construction of the buildings themselves and the internal layout of the living spaces. Entrances are equipped with ramps, a minimum of stairs, doorways are wide, bathrooms and showers are specially equipped, there are no thresholds, etc. Everything is designed to facilitate the movement of the elderly. The size of the living space also matters: retirees usually prefer to live in small spaces.
- Internal infrastructure. Particular attention is paid to the establishments of basic necessities (grocery stores, pharmacies, cafes and restaurants) and private medical organizations that operate on the territory of the village.
- A wide range of services. This ranges from meal delivery to complete care for the bedridden. A cleaning service and a variety of medical care - both massage and wellness treatments - are available to retirees. Larger communities have their own transportation, and remote communities have shuttle service to the nearest large city.
- Leisure variety. In large retirement villages, older people are offered a wide range of recreational activities - both active (sports, golf, equestrian clubs, etc.) and relaxing. These include large libraries, areas with chess, board games, hobby groups.
- Good views and environmental features. Villages are erected in beautiful and quiet places with clean air. Elite complexes offer excellent views and are located near fashionable resorts. It can be both mountains and the sea.
- Certain restrictions. In order for the life of all residents of the village to be comfortable and quiet, certain restrictions are imposed, which do not particularly constrain anyone. Most often, management companies forbid to make remodeling and repairs, keep farm animals (chickens, piglets), and also impose restrictions on keeping pets, especially dogs. The number of days per year and the order of guests' stay are also usually regulated: children and grandchildren can stay with grandparents for a certain period of time. In some villages they can live in one house, in others - only in a special guest complex.
Also important is the age at which residents can move into the village. Usually it is 55-60 years old, but the exact limit is set by the management company, which most often is also the developer.
A retirement village is a comfortable place for those who do not want to live a dull life and feel restricted. The main difference from retirement homes is having your own housing (apartment, townhouse or house) where you can live the way you like. Another important factor is the availability of leisure and activities, as well as a wide community of like-minded people with whom you can have fun.
Interesting: some retirees prefer not to buy real estate in such villages, but simply rent. This gives a certain freedom of action and at the same time allows you to enjoy all the privileges of the retirement village.
Finally, elite retirement villages are characterized by the highest level of comfort. They assume a worry-free old age, filled with all the elements of a pleasant life, in a quiet and peaceful location with gorgeous views.
Top 5 retirement villages around the world
So, for a living example, we present you with the largest and most famous retirement villages from different corners of the earth. Please note that Cyprus will have such a village by the end of this year.
The Villages, USA
The largest and most famous retirement village to date. It is located in Florida, USA. Actually, this is where the idea of such villages originated.
The Villages occupies 8 thousand hectares, which is larger than many towns in the area. About 42 thousand people live here permanently, and the population is constantly growing. Interestingly, not only sports and leisure activities flourish here.
At the disposal of local residents, there is a golf club with a huge course, theaters, stores, hobby clubs, food establishments, libraries, swimming pools and much more. People over the age of 55 are welcome to live here.
Hilltop Gardens, Malta
Hilltop Gardens is located on the small Mediterranean island of Malta, which instantly elevates it to a premium level. You bet, it's close to the sea and beautiful architecture! The complex itself occupies 17 thousand m2 and includes 133 units of luxury housing: from apartments to penthouses.
At the service of retirees, there is a fitness center, library, dining establishments (with the possibility of home delivery), hairdressing salons and stores, SPA-center with a swimming pool and Jacuzzi. A separate source of pride is the certified medical center, which is located on the territory of Hilltop Gardens. It offers a variety of services from rehabilitation to care for the severely ill.
Lazaris Mill, Paphos, Cyprus
Paphos is often called "the city of retirees", and for good reason. Retirees from Europe, mainly from Britain, like to vacation here. Many buy real estate in the area of Paphos to spend their old age. The choice, in fact, is excellent. The climate here is wonderful, the nature is marvelous and the living conditions are extremely comfortable.
Lazaris Mill is the first of three projects for affluent retirees in Cyprus. It is located near the village of Tsada (a prestigious area) and is under active construction. It will have 82 one-bedroom and multi-bedroom apartments. There will also be a small hotel with 24 rooms.
Each residential unit will be equipped with an alarm and emergency call system. It will also notify residents of upcoming events. At the service of retirees - internal infrastructure and a wide range of services will be offered.
Important: anyone can buy a property here, but the settlement is available to those over 60 years of age.
Village of Ferhall, Scotland
Interestingly, the age threshold here is quite low - only 45 years. However, the village does not allow permanent residence for children and young people: they can only stay for a certain number of days a year.
Also, residents are not allowed to have more than one dog. Nothing is said about cats, however. All these measures are nothing more than a way of keeping the village quiet and peaceful.
Interestingly, Ferhall is not a gated community, nor is it an elite neighborhood. It is a government project. Ordinary pensioners live here, who in the evenings gather in a common living room or club for various activities. Many note that life here flows in a measured, calm, but by no means dull way- and the restrictions do not take away freedom, but on the contrary, give comfort.
Senior Living Residences, USA
Another great project is located in the United States. It offers both independent living and a variant closer to a private nursing home, the price includes all services, from food to medical care, and the resident lives in an individual apartment. Thus, residents and visitors always have a selection to choose from.
Interestingly, Senior Living Residences provides a lot of medical and assisted living programs dedicated to specific problems: Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, senile dementia, and so on. Here an elderly person can receive the most qualified help and specialized care.
The complexes are located in several locations, which allows seniors not to travel far from their homes. There is also a trial program for the retiree to try this lifestyle and feel how much he or she needs it.
Interested in housing on the island? Check out the #1 real estate agency in Cyprus DOM! The agency's website has the largest real estate database in the country - more than 30 thousand residential and commercial properties all over the island. Choose and contact professional brokers who will help you make the right choice!
Read also:
- 10 skyscrapers to adorn Limassol skyline in coming years
- Two floors, terrace and gorgeous sea view: Cyprus new buildings with exclusive apartments
- Medical tourism in Cyprus
- TOP 5 Mistakes That Almost Everyone Makes in Interior Design of New Apartment
- Monagri and Doros: Picturesque Villages in Suburbs of Limassol
