London is often thought of as a young person’s city, but – despite what many might think – a number of retirees consider it to be a ‘retirement nirvana’ for a number of reasons. The nation’s capital appeals to those of retirement age not only because of its excellent transport links – offered free to pensioners – it is also a hub for culture and entertainment. Retirees living in London also have access to a wealth of services, events, facilities, medical care, restaurants, shopping and so on, right on their doorstep.

Some may assume that retirees simply wish for a quiet life, but many choose London as a place to retire as the urban lifestyle encourages them to be more active. Retirees in more rural areas need a car to get around, whereas those in London are more likely to be on their feet and using public transport. In a bustling city like London, a short underground journey, will take you to visit friends and family in no time at all. Leading retirement communities, such as Battersea Place – the first luxury retirement community in London – also offer electric cars for residents to use (combining convenience and cost saving with sustainability). Some residents have also been known to enjoy the treat of using of one of the Battersea Place chauffeur-driven cars to arrive in style at one of the West-End’s theatres.

While it’s assumed that retirees are seeking a quiet and relaxing lifestyle, many love London for what it is. Kathleen Rawes, a resident at Battersea Place echoes this sentiment, saying, “Others may prefer to retire to the countryside, but I knew it was not for me – I was craving a taste of city living. For many years, I lived in London, and after a stint away, I longed to be back in the capital, at the heart of it all.” Battersea Place is operated by award-winning and internationally renowned retirement community operator, LifeCare Residences who provide vibrant places to live offering a full-spectrum of five-star amenities and services. The team at Battersea Place receives many enquiries from retirees from outside of London considering retirement in the capital – some want to be closer to their children, but others are keen to enjoy the lifestyle that a retirement in London offers. Kathleen Rawes moved into a spacious one-bedroom apartment at Battersea Place where she says she has “plenty of room for all my things. Adding to the spacious feel of the place, the windows offer great views of London’s ever changing-skyscape.” Battersea Place opened its doors in 2016 and has since been home to many a London-loving retiree. Situated next door to London’s beautiful Battersea Park, Battersea Place comprises an exclusive collection of one, two and three-bedroom finely appointed apartments and penthouses and is ideally placed for easy access to many of London’s attractions.

Despite being situated in the heart of London, residents at Battersea Place are able to simply step over the road to enjoy the beauty and 200 acres of wide-open space of Battersea Park for a brisk walk or a gentle stroll in the lovely gardens or a spot of tennis, boules, bowls or croquet.

The iconic River Thames is within walking distance, and residents need only stroll over London’s prettiest bridge, Albert Bridge, to enjoy the delights of Chelsea. The cultural and shopping attractions of Kensington and Knightsbridge are only a short drive away too. Resident Kathleen Rawes adds, “In search of my new home, I started researching retirement villages and weighing up the options. Initially I was disheartened by the lack of options for the over 70s in city centre locations. When I discovered Battersea Place, I couldn’t believe my luck. As well as its central London location, I was drawn to the admirable facilities on offer – especially the on-site restaurant, library and swimming pool.”

Retirees are more likely to be more financially stable than the younger generation, and therefore are more inclined to have the time and money to better enjoy what London has to offer – and there is so much to offer retirees. The nation’s capital provides a diverse mix of history and culture, with museums and galleries a plenty, such as the Tate, the Victoria and Albert Museum, The British Museum and the National Gallery to name but a few, with many providing free entry. London is also groaning with historic landmarks, jostling for space among theatres, cinemas, restaurants and bars. You don’t have to retire to the countryside in order to enjoy green, wide open spaces. London boasts a wide variety of tranquil green spaces to walk in or sit in and escape the bustle of a busy city, such as Hyde Park, Regents Park, St James’s Park and Battersea Park – to name but a few! Most of these parks have wide, paved paths for walking or cycling and benches to sit and enjoy a picnic. The parks in central London even have deckchairs to rent! Battersea Place resident, Kathleen Rawes continues, “The central London location of Battersea Place is ideal for getting out-and-about – from indulging in a spot of shopping on Marylebone High Street, to scouring the shelves at Chelsea Library for the next page-turner to lose myself in – my new home is perfectly positioned to offer access to everywhere I need to be. Should I need to hop on the Tube or a bus, it’s handy that Battersea Place benefits from excellent transport links – which are set to get even better with the arrival of the Northern Line extension. Whilst I find it so liberating to be able to get around under my own steam, it is reassuring to know that a fleet of cars is at the ready, or a chauffeur service is on hand should I need it.” Residents at Battersea Place also enjoy the reassurance that comes with London having so may quality hospitals on the doorstep; Guy’s Hospital, Kings College Hospital, The Royal London Hospital and The Chelsea and Westminster to name but a few. Living in the city also means convenient access to pharmacies – many of which are open for longer hours than those in provincial towns and villages. London is considered to be the shopping capital of the world with its famous shopping destinations such as Bond Street, Oxford Street as well as the two Westfield Shopping Centres – London’s newest shopping malls with over 250 stores to choose from. The capital also has a wide variety of different markets steeped in history for retirees to enjoy, such as Borough Market next to London Bridge which is London’s oldest food market. Old Spitalfields Market is an old covered Victorian market selling a range of vintage and antique gifts. Petticoat Lane Market sells mainly clothes and Covent Garden Market is located in a beautiful 19th century piazza. Retirees in London are quite literally spoilt for choice! While some may dream of retiring to idyllic rural locations it is easy to see why others are choosing instead to spend their retirement in London – one of the cultural and entertainments capitals of the world, offering unrivalled access to the best in culture, services, facilities and medical care.

If you would like to learn more about our offering and how we can enhance the ‘every day’ please call T. 0800 009 6950.
For those who are unable to visit in person, we are also able to offer virtual tours of our communities at your convenience.
www.lifecareresidences.co.uk