Island Life Magazine Ltd April/May 2017 | Page 117

Property
Living the Dream
Many people dream of an idyllic retirement by the
sea - but trying to find the perfect home in the ideal
location and at the right price can bring their hopes
crashing back down to earth.
However, there’s one Island
development that is helping to
make people’s dreams a reality.
Beatrice Court’s stylish
development of 42 apartments
at Shanklin offers luxury
accommodation with the
freedom for residents to enjoy an
independent lifestyle and spend
less of their time on everyday
chores and responsibilities.
With more than half the
apartments now sold, we spoke to
one of the residents, 73 year-old
Frances, who moved in three years
ago and says it’s simply the best
move she’s ever made.
Having previously lived in a large
four-bedroomed house with an
acre of land on the Island, Fr ances
says she decided she needed to
downsize after her husband died.
“I looked at a few bungalows
and then saw this development
and decided to have a look. It
wasn’t fully built at that stage
but as soon as I walked in, I knew
it felt just right. It felt light and
airy, very well laid out and with a
lovely communal lounge. I liked
the feeling of quality and comfort
straight away”.
She also liked the fact that there
was a dedicated laundry room,
which meant she wouldn’t have
the worry or responsibility of
maintaining and repairing her own
wash/dry machines.
Frances says she opted for a two
bedroom apartment to give her an
extra room for her crafts, hobbies
and books.
If her family comes to visit, they
can stay in the development’s
dedicated guest suite, she says.
While her family live on the Island,
Frances says she is independent-
minded and doesn’t want to have
to call on them too often – so the
fact that there’s a House Manager
on hand to provide assistance is an
added bonus.
“I’ve had one or two health issues
and it gives me a sense of security
knowing that help would be at
hand if I ever needed it” she says.
Frances admits her family had
doubts about how well she would
settle into her new lifestyle – but
as it has turned out, she loves it.
“I have made some lovely friends
here” she says.
“We’ve had some real fun times,
and as more people move in, the
better it gets. It’s a real developing
community and for anybody
who’s in a similar situation I would
definitely say check it out for
yourself!
“You get the best of both worlds,
with your own lovely, independent
home but the knowledge that
you’re surrounded by friends and
activity whenever you want them”.
For more information on buying,
part-exchange or part-ownership
options, visit the website at
www.beatricecourt.co.uk or call
01983 862147.
www.visitilife.com
117