Is Clifton Village a nice placement for a retirement flat?

[senescanor]

Hi my parents are 83 and 78 and are in fairly good health, both mobile and of sound mind. At the moment they live in the family home in Swansea which is far too big for them and they’re starting to struggle with it.

Dmum lived in Clifton as a child for a few years. She has always wanted to return to Somerset where she was born, but feels it’s too late for a move back to a rural village. Dbro lives abroad and as do I.

They both enjoy a nice cafe and a read of the times or sudoku to pass their time. They like going out for dinner, and dmum likes an occasional stroll in the park. They are abroad a lot and always fly from Bristol, so I know there is a decent bus service out to tr airport.

Does anyone think Clifton would be a nice place for them to buy a small 2-3 bed flat? I’m thinking a nice georgian/victorian building. Preferably near the village itself. They ideally would like to spend £500k but £1mil is doable. Or could you recommend anywhere else “naice”

Clifton as in Bristol? It's lovely imo though can be full of student housing... blooming expensive too! It's also very hilly so would that be a problem for your parents?

Yes as in Bristol sorry!
Yes the hills may pose a problem in a few years, so was thinking the village itself seems flatter and close to everything needed. You’re right about students on the outskirts of Clifton (personal experience!)

Just realised the huge type in the title! Nice place** not placement!

typo* good gosh

Clifton is lovely but very hilly and extremely expensive. Parking is also a complete nightmare, we had friends with a flat there and it could take them 30-40 minutes of circling round to find a parking space some days. This was 20 years ago mind you, I don't know whether it's improved for residents now. Henleaze and west bury-on-trim are nice places to live just down the road from Clifton but with better parking and fewer students!

Westbury-on-Trym is nice and less hilly than Clifton?

I'm in my 60s and thinking of downsizing in a few years time. Having spent a lot of time in Bristol recently with my student daughter, Clifton and the area around Durdham downs seem to tick of mine and DH's boxes.

I'm from South Wales and have moved to near Clifton! I absolutely love it, a lot of older people as well as younger but there's so many lovely cafes and places to eat and drink it's perfect!!

There are several retirement blocks/complexes in and around Clifton, and you can get most things you need within a short walk, including lots of good cafes and restaurants etc, as well as a couple of small supermarkets, bakeries, delis, greengrocers and so on, plus a new branch of Waterstones, so if they can afford it then yes, I would say Clifton would be a good place to retire to.

Parking can be an issue, but the larger houses converted into flats often have off-street parking, and there is now a residents parking scheme covering the whole of Clifton which means that if you live in the area it is now much easier to park (not so great if you are visiting, though residents do get a limited number of guest parking permits).

They should go for a visit and look around to see if they still like the feel of the place - it is more upmarket than it was a few decades ago.

It could also be worth considering somewhere like Wells, if your mother is pining for Somerset - similar feel to Clifton in some ways, plenty of older people, and also easy for Bristol airport. The only thing it lacks is a train station.

Thank you for all the suggestions. Will have a look, Wells looks very quaint. I think they’re after more townhouse feel than cottage feel.

At the moment they hve to drive everywhere, which is a real pain if they need to go for a coffee.

In all honesty I would encourage them to look at retirement communities of some type as the age they are at they could need care sooner rather than later - another move would be really stressful so a forever home makes more sense. Do check all the terms and conditions very carefully if they buy as covenants can be restrictive (eg have to sell back to the company for a set price). I've been managing care packages for the last couple of years and if only they lived in sheltered housing or similar I could have kept her at home, the stairs, the lack of security and rigid care calls meant residential care was essential - some of the better retirement villages have a high care needs centre on site even.

The issue is they wont look at retirement villages. They don’t want to admit that they are getting old I suppose, but I guess they just want to enjoy independent life for as long as possible. That is a good point though.

Clifton is now largely residential parking only. I think they'll be ok on that score.

Townhouses (ie tall and narrow) are a nightmare once mobility is at all compromised, even if only temporarily such as after a knee/hip replacement. I know some very active retirees in Bath who have had to have stairlifts fitted in Georgian townhouses, and it is really not great. Clifton does have some large houses converted into flats so everything can be on one level, which is very much a good idea at that age.

I lived in Clifton for a while, if I was going to return to bristol I'd pick henleaze instead, cheaper, less hills, and less students. Sadly I'm currently priced out 😉

Retirement villages don't look like they used to - this is the latest one across the bridge from Clifton: www.audleyvillages.co.uk/our-villages/redwood

I also know a couple in their early 60s who moved into a retirement block in Clifton a couple of years ago and say it was the best thing they have ever done.

I think they would be better off looking around Henleaze, somewhere within walking distance of Waitrose. Clifton may be lovely but its not somewhere I would want to retire to - its where the rich kids party.

somewhere like this one maybe?

It is not essential for older people to live in a retirement village. However, stairs can end up being a problem so consider how the building is organised. My DM is 94 and doesn’t have carers.

I think Clifton/Clifton Village is great and it’s easy to get a taxi to Waitrose! It’s got some fantastic properties and there is so much going on in Bristol. I would retire there! DD was at university there and we were impressed!

There is a bus service going to the airport, but it goes from the city centre or Temple Meads station. From Clifton there is a train and bus service to Temple Meads but getting a taxi may be better.
Georgian homes are expensive to heat.
I think Clifton village itself is a conservation area which may affect alterations to a home.
There is also a Sainsbury's supermarket at Clifton down near the station.

I live 15 mins walk from the village and think it would be perfect for them from what you’ve said. Also, the roads off Whiteladies close to Clifton Down shopping centre would work too.

Whilst the whole area is a conservation area, unless the property is listed, it wouldn’t impact on internal changes. Saying that, there are so many conversions that you should be able to find a hall level flat where no work is required.

Clifton Village is lovely. Also look at the rough square bounded by Pembroke Road, Alma Road, Whiteladies Road and Apsley Road, there are some really gorgeous flats there.

Yes Clifton Village is bloody lovely. I couldn't recommend it enough.