McCarthy and Stone rent or buy?

[urgen]

Whilst we aren’t quite there yet isn’t it a no brainier to actually rent in a retirement village. Thinking of my 90 year old Mum. She walks with a frame outside the house but otherwise ok.

I hear so many horror stories about people who buy whose family struggle to sell them when the old person passes on. That and the maintenance charges.

We would have to sell her London house and then fund the rental through the equity.

I would be wary of buying from McCarthy and Stone

www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article-10182583/The-retirement-home-scandal-wiping-life-savings.html

www.theguardian.com/money/2019/nov/16/flat-retirement-builder-value-mccarthy-stone

Is she coping at home? Does she actually want to move?

At 90, you've left it pretty late to uproot her. Agree with the PP above that it would be a massive upheaval and you might find it has the opposite effect that you are trying to achieve.

My Aunt (88) recently bought a 6 year old M & S one-bed flat, in a small development next to a lovely little town. She had lived in her 3-bed semi for 60 years, and the only toilet being upstairs was becoming a real problem. We tentatively mentioned a retirement home and she asked me to look into what might be available. The flat she has bought is fabulous - door into the garden, nice communal lounge and in one of the smaller developments.

We know they are not easy to re-sell and also that M & S take 1% of the resale price, but thought these risks were worth taking to give her the best final years possible. The company had a dreadful name years ago, but they've had to get their act together, and have so far been reasonable.

So far, so good.....

She calls me a lot and worries about the smallest things. She is lovely btw but the house is clearly becoming a burden for her. I live 100 miles away and she doesn’t do technology. Has a mobile but doesn’t use it.

She is not going to buy. Will be 5 mins from me if this comes off.

Name change fail? Are you the OP

Yep. Very well spotted. Failed again!

Hope you get it sorted OP - I know it's taken a weight off my mind knowing that my Aunt has people around her, and a home she can 'manage'. It's made my life easier as well as hers, and we didn't have the distance issue you have - she's gone from 4 miles away from us to 5 miles, so really not significant.

You should know that from our experience it's not her who can't manage the mobile, it that stupid phone that's stopped working again!