Gearing up for the Golden years

Where property is concerned, location always has a key role to play. Some people plan to move to the country or seaside in retirement, while others prefer to stay in the neighbourhood they know and love.

This is according to Bruce Swain, CEO of Leapfrog Property Group who says, "Deciding on a location, perhaps in order of first, second and third choice, is important because different areas offer different things, particularly in terms of infrastructure. The cost of property can differ vastly from say a suburban area in the north of Johannesburg to the small town in the middle of the Karoo.

Construction has commenced on Royal View, a new upmarket senior living community that is being constructed on a section of the Royal Johannesburg Golf Course in Sandringham. Royal View will be developed and operated by Auria Senior Living, an award-winning developer of senior living communities. The latest development responds to growing demand in the market for well-appointed senior living options that provide a continuum of care for seniors, says Barry Kaganson, CEO of Auria Senior Living.

The development will comprise around 122 apartments on a 2-hectare site overlooking the golf course. Units range in size from around 52sqm one-bedroom serviced apartments to three-bedroom units, with entry prices starting at R1.5 million.

Royal View extensive hospitality services will include a concierge, fine dining restaurant and café / bistro with an outdoor deck with beautiful views over the golf course. There will also be a cinema, hair salon and heated indoor pool. The entire development will have a solar water heating system as well as a full back-up generator and back-up water supplies.

Swain also notes that retirement villages are a great option because they're designed with the needs of ageing residents in mind. These facilities typically offer 24-hour security, on-site medical care, recreation facilities and financial security as many of them offer life rights to residents.

Ultimately, the choice of property depends on the needs, preferences and financial situation of the individual. "A trusted property advisor is more than equipped to help aspiring retirees to select the property that suits them best, as they can advise of everything from the investment value to the character of a chosen location," says Swain.

When buying into an Auria senior living community, one can expect that the everyday worries of home maintenance and security are taken care of. Auria senior living communities are focused on providing a five-star living. Residents have access to a variety of wellness-oriented activities as well as personally enriching activities such as social events, interest groups, hobbies and clubs. All this is aimed at providing a full spectrum of opportunities for people to live their best physical, emotional and mental lives. Concierge services and a 24-hour care team provide round-the-clock support.

Everybody wants to retire comfortably and maintain the lifestyle they enjoyed while actively earning income, which requires careful planning and an understanding of the more common retirement property options available to South Africans.

"Notions around ageing and what it means to live a fulfilling life in one's senior years have been changing. Gone are the days when a 'nursing home' or 'old age home' were the proverbial ends of the line. We don't even use those terms in our organisation," says Kangason.

"Why should people wait until a home becomes unmanageable or a spouse can no longer cope before they move to a place where they can live an enjoyable life, hassle-free and with the care they need?