Retirement living: Town or Country?

Most people agree they would love somewhere safe, low-maintenance and above all, comfortable, but without being cut off from the activity of everyday life and friendly company.

Many wish to stay in the area they have lived for most of their lives, while others want to up-sticks and move to somewhere more rural, especially a location close to family and friends.

LifeCare Residences, an experienced retirement specialist, has the answer to both these demands, having launched
London’s first luxury retirement village, Battersea Place, to complement its idyllic retreat in the country: Grove
Place, in Romsey, Hampshire.

Battersea Place is just minutes from Albert Bridge and the delights of Chelsea, and will be perfect for ‘townies’ who want to stay in the capital, while Grove Place, a multiaward- winning village, sits in 27 acres of private grounds close to Romsey. The village is now three-quarters sold and is already a vibrant and welcoming community. The locations could not be more different, but many of the facilities and benefits are identical.

Battersea Place in London, has sleek, architecturallydesigned apartments, many overlooking Battersea Park, and a first-class range of amenities, which are perfect for the 60-plus generation who fully intend to continue enjoying
the vibrancy of inner-city living. Since the advance launch in autumn 2011, 35 of the 112 contemporary apartments
have been snapped up, at prices ranging from £400,000 to £2.4m. Added benefits will include a concierge service, chef-led restaurant, cafe/bar, swimming pool, spa, library and cinema suite.

The apartments, which include a few large penthouses, will be comparable to other luxury developments with lifestyle benefits, already in place along the river banks of London; the only difference being that Battersea Place will
have 24-hour support from a professional in-house care team. In addition there will be a nursing home where the
bedrooms are actually studio apartments, allowing an element of independent living.

For those who prefer a country pace, Grove Place is the answer. The heart of the village is a 16th-century, Grade I
listed Elizabethan manor house, where many residents meet daily to take coffee in one of the elegant reception rooms, browse in the library, play snooker or cards in the panelled billiard room, and, if the mood takes them, take lunch or dinner in the chef-led restaurant. Residents live in purpose-built, contemporary bungalows or apartments in the private grounds around the manor house. Other attractions are the hair salon and treatment suite, and health and wellbeing centre, which boasts a heated pool, Jacuzzi and well-equipped gym.

There is a limited selection of one, two and three bedroom properties still available, with prices from £175,000 to £499,999. All the properties are linked to a 24-hour care team, who will provide emergency assistance at the push of a button and will attend to any care needs as and when required.

For those who wish to be in town, but London is not for them, LifeCare Residences also offers Somerleigh Court, a
charming retirement village in the centre of Dorchester in Dorset.

The village offers a delightful community of one- and two-bedroom apartments, a dedicated nursing home and
landscaped grounds for those who want to live a full, independent life with excellent care available when it is needed.

To find out more
Visit the Battersea Place marketing suite, open daily by appointment, 020-7228 6939 or visit www. batterseaplace.co.uk 

For Grove Place, telephone 023-8074 3595 to arrange a tour, or visit www. groveplace.co.uk

For Somerleigh Court, telephone 01305-211836 or visit www.somerleighcourt.co.uk