The last thing any of us want is to grow old and become a burden on our friends and family. We’d like to be able to continue to take care of ourselves and retain our independence. So the idea of retirement homes or villages can seem like a step closer to being old, and can receive a lot of prejudice. The fact is, retirement villages, like Red Deer Village in Glasgow, Scotland, differ vastly from retirement homes. These retirement communities are not care facilities, like a retirement home would be. Instead, they are a village of like-minded neighbours, living in a safe and comfortable environment. We take a look below at some of the biggest myths surrounding retirement villages in Scotland and prove them wrong!

#1. Retirement villages are for old people who need to be looked after

Retirement villages are for those who would like to be surrounded with people of similar ages and mindsets. It offers the opportunity to be involved with your new local community of like-minded neighbours. However, you also retain your independence; retirement villages are a lifestyle change, not a nursing home. Of course, it is no problem to have carers visit your park home if that is your preference, but we find most of our residents still lead an active way of life. Many still work and travel, as they have complete freedom to do so. People can opt for retirement villages because of proximity to amenities or for security reasons. At Red Deer Village, we are within easy access to a local train station and bus stop. Our entrance is gated with CCTV cameras.

#2. No privacy

Retirement villages in Scotland and the UK promote the idea of security and community. Red Deer Village have a residents’ hub for any events or activities residents may wish to take place. We also have a courtesy shuttle bus that takes residents on a monthly outing to a destination of their choice and for weekly shopping. However, just because these services are provided does not mean you have to take part. You can enjoy the peace, quiet and comfort of your own park home and remain totally private, or you can spend your time meeting  neighbours and making new friends. The choice is totally up to you.

#3. You have to be retired to live in a retirement village

On the contrary, not the case. A retirement village is for relaxing during your retirement – but nothing in the rule book specifies that you have to be. Many of our residents still work full and part-time jobs.

#4. Retirement villages are expensive

Purchasing a residential park home in Scotland is no different to buying a new house – often, they can be cheaper than bricks and mortar properties. Park homes allow you to downsize into a more manageable property, and free up equity tied in a large family home. This can allow you to live the retirement you’ve always dreamed of! Park homes are relatively cheaper than houses to heat up because of their high thermal value. Council tax at Red Deer is band A, which is the cheapest band. The only other cost to bear in mind is our monthly site fees, which go towards the general maintenance and upkeep of the park, and the running of our residents’ hub and courtesy shuttle bus.

#5. You can’t bring pets or guests

Just because a residential park home is within a retirement village does not mean you can’t invite anyone to come and go as you please. Pets are welcome, as are visitors. Friends and family members can even stay with you for a short while. We only emphasise that someone under 50 cannot live with you full-time. But a long weekend, or even a few weeks’ visit, is absolutely no problem.

#6. Moving is too stressful

Of course, we don’t deny that moving home can be a stressful element when considering what to do next. However, it’s always good to consider the future. Downsizing is a good idea if considering future health needs, as it can remove the use of stairs and the maintenance of a large house. It can free up expenses too. Heating a family sized bricks and mortar property is going to be much more costly, especially if the family have left the nest and it’s no longer necessary.

Retirement villages in Scotland, in short, are often preconceived as something that wouldn’t suit the younger, more active lifestyle. Parks such as Red Deer Village are a viable option for those over 50 who are considering a new lifestyle, without losing their freedom and independence. We hope we’ve managed to settle some of the reservations you may have had. If you’d like to find out more about our residential park homes for sale, please contact us to speak to a member of our friendly and knowledgeable team.