Active retirement can be a daunting prospect, but forward-thinking developers have come to the rescue. Laura Henderson reports
For today’s Euro baby boomers, retirement isn’t what it used to be. Instead of settling for a pipe-and-slippers lifestyle, they’re jetting around the globe, taking up new hobbies and lapping up the bounties of sun and sea in second homes abroad.
Downsizing the family home to facilitate these ambitions is often a first step. But when eventual full-time retirement kicks in and possibly ill health looms, where you choose to spend your twilight years can suddenly take on a fresh significance. Enterprising overseas developers have responded to this niche opportunity with a collection of ‘third age’ communities aimed at active retirees. With assisted living facilities on tap, they enable even the infirm to continue enjoying an independent life for longer.
Sector growth over the past 10 years has been impressive. From just a handful of developments in key Mediterranean hotspots such as Spain and France to upwards of 50, numbers keep rising and are expected to double in the next five years. “Demand is understandable,” explains Guy Mossop of retirement property consultancy fifty5plus. “To some degree, it’s a natural extension to identified in a recent survey by UK independent think tank Demos. Its findings categorised baby boomers as “aspirational trendsetters” who’ve forged the markets for music, fashion and travel over the past 40 years, and a re-invention of the retirement property market is next on the agenda. Mediterranean markets, in particular, are seen as attractive prospects, possessing the essential raw ingredients, such as a healthy outdoor lifestyle and good healthcare facilities, that make moving abroad a viable option.
But while the emphasis on activites looms large in the design blueprint for these resorts, developers are quick to highlight security as a key investment draw. For those using their property as a second home, this may simply mean having a place that they can lock up and leave. Permanent residents, however, also have the comfort of door-control systems, intruder alarms, CCTV surveillance and a 24-hour help line.
Bungalows for couples and apartments for singles are the most common options, often incorporating practical design elements such as sockets and appliances at waist level, ramps rather than stairs and storage heaters for greater economy.
“More resorts are also now shifting their emphasis to assisted living as a means of bridging the gap between retirement living and residential and nursing homes,” explains Martin James of consultancy Retirement Homesearch. “On-site nursing facilities and close proximity to hospitals is increasingly becoming a priority. These resorts aren’t a substitute for a nursing home, but they can certainly support an independent lifestyle and help postpone the need to consider residential care.”
Leading the fifty+ property drive in Europe, Spain has grabbed the concept of an active lifestyle by the horns. Peace of mind, security and medical services have become top priorities. Sol Andalusí, Europe’s premier ‘Healthy Living Resort’, combines all the facilities and comfort services the young at heart could wish for. Located just a 20-minute drive from Malaga city on Andalucia’s buzzing Costa del Sol, 390 properties are set within 130,000m² of sub-tropical gardens.
All homes overlook the lake, pool or golf course and enjoy the backdrop of the beautiful Guadalhorce Valley. “Three-quarters of the resort will stay green,” explains resort spokesperson Anneliese Keely. “The range of on-site facilities includes a health and fitness centre, spa, library, 380-seat theatre and heated indoor pool.”
Properties are sold on a freehold basis and sport smart-home intruder and fire alarms, intercom connection to the medical centre, satellite TV and broadband internet connection as well as hydro-massage showers. One-bed, 65m² apartments start from €190,000, rising to €790,000 for a five-bed luxury bungalow with garden and garage.
Rivalling Sol Andalusi’s elegant surroundings and just a short drive from Malaga International Airport is Sensara Benalmádena. Located mid-way between the bustling town of Arroyo de la Miel and the traditional village of Benalmádena, with its sandy beaches, port and marina, the development consists of 150 stylish stand-along apartments, duplexes and penthouses.
All have generously sized rooms, fully equipped American kitchens and home-automation systems that include fire, smoke and leak detectors. Specially adapted features include non-slip floors, panic-button communication systems and underfloor heating. Healthcare facilities include occupational therapy, convalescent, respite and post-operative care and physiotherapy services.
“Practical matters have also been taken care of,” explains marketing manager Olivia Barthel. “There’s even a concierge to handle flight arrangements and trip bookings, internet shopping services and a private hospital close by.” Apartments with a build area of between 73m² and 86m² start at €225,000, spacious duplexes of 108m² from €395,000, and penthouses up to 109m² from €500,000.
Overlooking the rugged Nexe Hills just 20 minutes away from Portugal’s Faro airport, Monte da Palhagueira in Gorjoes is playing to its growing-old-gracefully strengths. Surrounded by olive trees, stone walls and ornamental fountains, this 20-acre village consists of just 32 ergonomically designed properties, ranging from tidy one-bedroom apartments to three-bedroom luxury villas with landscaped gardens. Units come with fitted kitchens, air conditioning in the master bedroom, 24-hour nurse on call and satellite TV.
The resort also has a dedicated nursing home staffed by fully qualified, English-speaking nurses, with 24 apartments and round-the-clock medical care. On-site leisure facilities include two putting greens, a croquet lawn, boule pitch, hairdressers and tennis courts, in addition to a doctor’s surgery and physiotherapy unit.
Prices for a two-bed terraced house, marketed through fifty5plus, start from €190,000 rising to €457,000 for a three-bed, four-bath, two-storey villa with internal lift.
Quarterly fees are currently set at €1,600 and include weekly domestic help, insurance, property maintenance and nursing-home access.
Resort administrator Clive Roberts explains that homes are available on a Lifetime Residency Plan basis: “Full payment secures the property. This amount is then fully refunded, at one year’s notice, ensuring that the owner’s original capital investment is protected. On selling the property, the home reverts back to company ownership, eliminating expensive legal and estate agency fees.”
Keen to join the silver-surfer real-estate race, leading off-plan developer Pierre & Vacances has recently acquired the Toulouse-based Ramos Property Group, creators of the first Senioriales retirement resorts to grace the the Côte d’Azur.
Catering to “active over fifties”, vibrant retirement villages are a totally new concept in France. Here third-age housing schemes have traditionally catered for a dependent population, with pricy medical services on tap and little contact with the local community. Les Senioriales is set to break the mould.
The first residence of 53 bungalows, launched in 2002 in Perpignan near the Spanish border, sold out within months, proving a hit with Parisians keen to relocate to the sun. Since then a further 12 have appeared, with 14 in the pipeline across southern France.
“Our policy is for a mix of French and non-French residents,” explains company spokesperson Corinne Noel. “Only 10% of homes in any development can be bought to let, and even then it’s year-long rentals rather than seasonal lets. It’s a way of fostering community cohesion.”
The latest project on the Côte d’Azur, due to complete in 2009, boasts an enviable location in the ancient hilltop town of Grasse, famous for its perfumes and just 35km from Nice. Set in secluded gated grounds, on-site resort facilities will include a heated swimming pool, clubhouse, internet area, gym and allocated parking. Two-bed 60m² off-plan apartments are priced at €260,000, rising to €475,000 for a 85m² unit.
The average build time is 12 months. Standard features will include double glazing and heating/air conditioning. Management fees average €125 a month to cover maintenance, entertainment and staff salaries. Budgeting for electricity, in addition to local taxes, is expected to bring monthly outgoings to €400. Capital gains tax is payable at 27% if you sell within five years, after which an annual 10% tax rebate applies on a sliding scale, with no tax incurred after 15 years.
Noel adds: “Anticipating what residents want and need is key to the whole resort concept – but we always welcome new ideas.”
FR Retraite dorée pour ceux qui ont la vie longue
Aujourd’hui pour les baby-boomers européens, la retraite n’est plus ce qu’elle était. Au lieu de se conforter dans un style de vie ‘pipe et pantoufles’, ils profitent de leurs indemnités au soleil et le long de la mer, à l’étranger, dans des résidences secondaires. Les entrepreneurs de ces contrées ont répondu présents face cette nouvelle niche, avec des projets de développement de communautés du ‘troisième âge’, orientées vers ces retraités actifs, leur proposant des infrastructures avec des systèmes d’assistance intégrés.
La station balnéaire espagnole Sol Andalusi, la première ‘Station de Vie Saine’ d’Europe, combine toutes les infrastructures et les services destinés à ceux qui ont su rester jeunes d’esprit. A seulement 20 minutes de Malaga sur la Costa del Sol, en Andalousie, 390 propriétés sont réparties sur 130 000m² de jardins sub-tropicaux; toutes les maisons surplombent le lac, avec piscine et terrains de golf. Les propriétés sont équipées de systèmes ‘maisons intelligentes’ avec des détecteurs d’intrusion et d’incendie, des connexions intercom au centre médical, la TV par satellite et une connexion internet à large bande ainsi que des douches d’hydro-massage. Un appartement une chambre démarre à €190 000.
Sensara Benalmadena est l’un des concurrents de la société Sol Andalusi, installé dans un environnement agréable à une courte distance de l’aéroport international de Malaga. Ce projet immobilier comprend 150 appartements de standing, des duplexes et des penthouses. Parmi les caractéristiques, on trouve des revêtements non glissants, des systèmes de communication d’urgence, des infrastructures de chauffage dans le sol et de nombreuses unités de soins. Le coût des appartements commence à €225 000.
Surplombant les monts accidentés de Nexe à 20 minutes à peine de l’aéroport de Faro au Portugal, la station balnéaire de Monte da Palhagueira se compose de seulement 32 propriétés conçues selon un principe d’ergonomie. Le complexe inclut également un bâtiment de soins avec du personnel infirmier qualifié parlant anglais. On mentionnera aussi les nombreuses options réservées aux loisirs sur le site, pour un investissement à partir de €190 000.
Le grand entrepreneur sur plan, Pierre et Vacances, a acquis récemment le Groupe immobilier Ramos, basé à Toulouse, créateurs des premières seigneuries, centres pour retraités. Axé sur les “actifs de plus de 50ans ”, le dernier projet de la société, en cours sur la Côte d’Azur dispose d’une localisation enviable dans la ville de Grasse, dans les hauteurs. Le complexe, situé dans un lieu retiré, offre des infrastructures de loisirs, telles une piscine chauffée, un clubhouse, une zone internet, un club de gym et des espaces de parking réservés. Le prix d’un appartement deux chambres commence à partir de €260 000.
NL De gouden leeftijd
De Europese babyboomers van vandaag hechten een heel andere betekenis aan het begrip ‘pensioen’. In plaats van het traditionele pijp-enwarme-sloffenleventje kiezen zij voor een vakantiehuis in het buitenland om er te genieten van zon en zee. Ambitieuze ondernemingen vulden alvast het gat in de markt met een experimentele reeks gemeenschappen voor de derde leeftijd, gericht op actieve gepensioneerden, met tal van ondersteunende voorzieningen.
Het Spaanse referentieoord Sol Andalusi, Europa’s voornaamste ‘Healthy Living Resort’, combineert alle faciliteiten en diensten voor de ‘rijpere jeugd’. Op slechts 20 minuten van Malaga aan de Andalusische Costa del Sol liggen 390 woningen in 130.000 m² aan subtropische tuinen. Ze kijken alle uit over het meer, het zwembad of het golfterrein. Ze werden uitgerust met anti-inbraak- en brandalarmsystemen, een intercomverbinding met het medische centrum, satelliettelevisie, breedbandinternet en hydromassagedouches. Een appartement met één slaapkamer kost minstens € 190.000.
Het elegante Sol Andalusi moet het opnemen tegen Sensara Benalmadena, op een kort ritje van Malaga International Airport. Het bouwproject telt 150 stijlvolle appartementen, duplexen en dakappartementen. Enkele troeven zijn de antislipvloeren, een alarmsysteem met paniekknoppen, vloerverwarming en uitgebreide gezondheidsfaciliteiten. Het goedkoopste appartement kost € 225.000.
Op slechts 20 minuten van de luchthaven van het Portugese Faro kijkt Monte da Palhagueira Resort uit over het woeste Nexegebergte. Het telt naast de 32 ergonomisch ontworpen woningen tal van ontspanningsfaciliteiten en een speciaal verpleegtehuis met Engelstalige verpleegsters. De prijzen starten aan € 190.000.
Toonaangevend woningbouwer Pierre & Vacances kocht onlangs de Ramos Property Group uit Toulouse, oprichter van de eerste Senioriales-oorden voor gepensioneerden. Het nieuwste project aan de Côte d’Azur van dit op ‘actieve 50-plussers’ gerichte bedrijf geniet een benijdenswaardige ligging in het stadje Grasse. De bijbehorende faciliteiten omvatten een verwarmd zwembad, een clubhuis, een internetzone, een fitnesszaal en een eigen parking. De firma bouwt al appartementen met twee kamers vanaf € 260.000.
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