Beechcroft’s in-house research reveals that over 70% of customers buying a home in the last year moved or downsized to be near family or friends – with the majority saying that the younger relatives urged them to do so.
The sons, daughters or grandchildren of Beechcroft customers often play an active role in the search for a new home for parents or grandparents. Pamela Laws’ son and daughter-in-law found her the perfect apartment at Seymour Court, Thame. Pamela was feeling isolated; she had been widowed and her friends were all moving away from the area. Her children suggested she move closer to her son, his wife and their three teenagers.
“My daughter is just as excited about the move as I am. I am very close to my three grandchildren; I see them every week and now I’m living closer I will be more available to look after them and to watch their football and basketball matches and to go to my youngest granddaughter’s theatre performances. They all love the house and are excited about my move. There’s room for them to stay with me; my youngest granddaughter has already claimed the second bedroom, which has an en-suite bathroom, because she likes to have a bath. There’s even a small garden that will be maintained for me.”
, Abbey Mill Place, Bishop's Waltham
Some family members are so keen to help their relatives move closer that they are prepared to make a financial contribution themselves. One of our customers’ daughters bought an apartment to make life easier for her mother – and she believes that making the move has ‘transformed’ their lives.
When parents or grandparents move to a new retirement community, the younger generation gets the peace of mind that comes from being on hand should they be needed. They are able to visit more regularly, without having to face long car journeys and they’re able to help with shopping, household tasks and DIY.
For the older generation, moving home may be one of life’s most stressful experiences but moving close to family can be extremely rewarding. Studies show that family visits can create a more positive and optimistic environment for older relatives and can even improve life expectancy by several years. What’s more, so many of Beechcroft’s home buyers find that when they move, they’re not only closer to family, they’re also able to make new friends and to have the ‘fresh start’ they were hoping for.
“We’ve visited the area many times because my daughter and her family live in Chinnor. Both she and her husband have high-powered jobs and are frequently away from home for work, so ever since our grandson came along, we’ve been travelling down from Littleborough in a child-minding capacity, which involves a 200-mile journey in each direction. Now we’re getting older, it’s more of an effort to look after a house and garden, so it made sense to move.”
, Castle Mews, Watlington
