Over 50’s look across the Channel to the ultimate active living resort
With more than a third of homes in England “under-occupied,” according to the latest data from The Intergenerational Foundation and older people remaining in their properties longer, putting pressure on the housing stock available for younger generations, The Villages Group are stepping up, providing a cutting edge alternative.
Whilst the government has vowed to increase the number of new homes and get Britain building, 55 to 65 years olds still remain the largest group of home owners in the UK. Responding to criticism of “under-occupation” many within this group are arguing that their occupation of an estimated £3 trillion worth of bricks and mortar is no fault of their own and that they are desperate to sell their homes, release their capital and move elsewhere.
With this in mind and with financial experts stating that buying a home for retirement 5 to 10 years beforehand could in fact be beneficial, large numbers of over 50’s are now seeking alternatives, looking across the channel to France for less expensive housing, a relaxed pace of life, sunny skies and a culture respectful of those in their ‘third age’.
Danny Silver, expert in French real estate and MD of The Villages Group, comments,
“France has one of the best lifestyles in the world, perfect for over 50’s who are seeking a lifestyle option away from the doom and gloom of the UK. Indeed, in spite of the economic problems felt across Europe, France has been proclaimed one of the Eurozone’s more stable economies with the nation outperforming expectations in the third quarter of this year.”
Silver continues,
“The British over 50’s market is one of the most rapidly growing sectors and it is important that their demand for housing is recognised. Indeed, we at The Villages Group have acknowledged that active living Villages for the over 50’s in France which provide services and amenities that encourage an active, happy and healthy lifestyle focussed around a strong community of like-minded individuals, could provide the answer to the UK housing shortage and the best lifestyle for over 50’s.”
The concept for The Villages Group in France has taken four years of research and development to create the very first active living resorts in the country dedicated to the over 50’s. Designed for living, the Villages will initially be situated in three stunning French communities including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Canal du Midi, a 240 km long canal in Southern France that’s serves as a shortcut between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea.
As one of Europe’s longest and widest canal systems, Canal du Midi is one of the most remarkable feats of civil engineering in modern times. Laden with plane trees, planted in neat rows in the 1830s to strengthen the banks, this magnificent environment became an integral part of the canal´s beauty and a tourist attraction when it finally ceased to be used for commercial transport in the 1980s.
For engineering enthusiasts or for those simply wanting to bask in the beauty of the canal, The Villages Group will provide a village community of around 116 villas on the banks of the Canal du Midi. This village site will afford full on-site amenities including tennis courts, indoor pool, gymnasium and quality entertainment programmes, perfect for living an active and fulfilling life within a community of like-minded individuals.
For more information on a fresh alternative and unique lifestyle choice for the active over 50’s please contact The Villages Group on + 33 1 4007 8625, email villages@pdfparis.com or visit www.thevillagesgroup.com