An ideal community to find oneself in

An ideal community to find oneself in

Andrew Webber’s recently widowed 85-year-old mother-in-law decided it was time to relocate from her three-bedroom, semi-detached home in Bath. She felt vulnerable living far away from family and friends and was ready to find somewhere closer whilst downsizing to a more manageable property. 

With the help and support of her son-in-law, Andrew, a retired local GP based in Buckinghamshire, she found Wooburn Bales and made the move in November 2023. 

The perfect successor 

When searching for the right home, it was important for Andrew’s mother-in-law to find a suitable replacement for her life in Bath, where she had been well-settled for 24 years. 

On the home-hunting process for his mother-in-law, Andrew commented: “Most of the properties we looked at were not the right fit; they were either right by a dual carriageway or too remote. We were determined to find somewhere more connected and with character.”

After 18-months of endless searching and close to giving up, Andrew discovered Wooburn Bales following a conversation with a Pegasus representative in Bath, with Andrew noting: “The development immediately caught our eye – we were one of the first people to be shown a flat before its official opening”.

The location was a major selling point for Andrew and his mother-in-law: “Wooburn Bales is not only close to most of the family, but also to great facilities, being just three steps away from everything she needs.”

Situated right at the heart of Wooburn Green, the development is moments away from an array of local shops, restaurants, and a regular Village Fête, as well as the picturesque village green and The River Wye – perfect for countryside walks. Andrew’s mother-in-law particularly enjoys attending St Paul's Church, one of two local churches in the village. 

In addition, the new-build style of the home greatly appealed to her: “Wooburn Bales has an impressive set up. The apartment is of an exceptional quality, and its energy-efficiency features and modern facilities really stood out to us; it was exactly what we were looking for”. 

Renting in retirement 

Initially thinking of buying a home, Andrew and his mother-in-law ultimately opted for the flexibility of renting, with Andrew explaining: “Investing in a property didn’t feel like the right option with the additional costs such as stamp Duty fees. Renting appealed to us precisely for its flexibility, allowing us to adapt to changing circumstances and needs.”

Pegasus’s latest data showed over a third of over 55s (35%) cited high costs of moving, like stamp duty, as barriers to downsizing to a more suitable home. Whilst owning one’s home has always been seen to offer stability, choosing to rent in later-life can provide both flexibility and financial liquidity when paired with downsizing, whilst removing the responsibility of costly home repairs and maintenance. 

Maximising retirement living 

The sense of community at Wooburn Bales was an unexpected bonus for Andrew’s mother-in-law, who especially enjoys the gentle spin exercise class at the development and on Fridays the residents come together for fish and chips in the common room.  

As with other Pegasus developments, Wooburn Bales has a dedicated Lifehost on hand for support and assistance, with Andrew commenting: “The ever-smiling Lifehost, Lisa Page, is a saint. She is extremely accommodating and always ensures the shared lounge is fully stocked with everything residents need. In addition, she arranges all the fantastic events at the community.”

Andrew added: “Wooburn Bales is the perfect community for my mother-in-law – it is a great place for rebuilding social connections and making retirement life as rewarding as possible. She wouldn’t have moved if it wasn’t for Pegasus.”

Situated in the heart of the Buckinghamshire village of Wooburn Green, Wooburn Bales is a contemporary collection of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments exclusively for those over 60.