The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel 2 inspires pensioners to escape expensive retirement in the UK
According to a recent Prudential survey, the high cost of living in the UK and declining pension pots mean that some 17% of those planning to retire this year will have debts outstanding.
- The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel 2 currently being filmed in India
- Sequel features stellar 50+ cast of Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Bill Nighy and now Richard Gere
- 17% of those in UK planning to retire this year will have debts outstanding (Prudential)
These findings are leading more and more UK pensioners and those aching retirement age to ask: can retirement be outsourced to cut costs?
This concept is the premise of “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel 2”, the sequel to the hilarious but poignant 2011 British comedy-drama film of the same name.
Currently being filmed in India, this much anticipated second outing of the stellar 50+ cast which includes Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Bill Nighy and now Richard Gere, tells the story of a group of pensioners who move to an affordable retirement hotel in India to escape the crippling cost of old age, where they grow to appreciate adventure in their golden years.
Throughout the movie, the guests address society’s assumptions of old age and tackle elderly stereotypes, making decisions that help them learn more about life as a retired individual whilst also finding ways to live their lives to the full.
The Villages Group – Rainbow, France’s first gay active living village for the over 50s, offers retirees precisely this kind of chance to find adventure before dementia, with like-minded retirees from the LGBT community coming together in the serene location of the Languedoc-Roussillon, South West France. Danny Silver, Founding Manager comments,
“The British over 50’s LGBT market is booming and it is important that their specific needs for housing are not only recognised but met. With isolation and loneliness real challenges for older LGBT people, we at The Villages Group – Rainbow believe that community living villages are the way forward. We provide one level eco homes with on-site services and amenities that encourage an active, happy and healthy lifestyle with like-minded individuals.”
Indeed with increasing numbers of people looking to move abroad for their golden years in search of lower living costs and a better quality of life, France remains an extremely popular destination. It affords a wonderfully warm climate, relaxed lifestyle, stunning natural beauty and easy access to the UK – that’s if you ever want to go home!
For those keen to seek an active retirement under the Spanish sun becoming a Sun Rocker at Sun Park Living is also a popular choice. With a private gated community resort in southern Lanzarote, Sun Park Living offers an exclusive retirement lifestyle for those who wish to remain active but in a cheaper and decidedly warmer environment than the UK.
Residents at the resort are fondly known as Sun Rockers, hinting at the thirst for life that has driven them to expect more from their retirement. Gil Summers, Founding Manager comments,
“There’s a profound and palpable sense of community, friendship, camaraderie and family, that ties everyone and everything together here. Sun Park Living clearly fills a void in people’s lives, which is evident through everyone’s daily attendance resident-run social groups and activities, making every minute count whilst they are together.”
Indeed, the sense of community spirit is a huge draw to retirees looking for a lifestyle change. Of course the warm climate, flavourful local cuisine and fantastic culture all serve to make the experience even more rewarding – and all of this in light of the resort offering affordable rental apartments, for short or long term, for a fraction of the usual cost of retirement properties in the UK.
However, much like The Villages Group – Rainbow, the real currency at Sun Park Living is the residents themselves and their dream to live every moment to the full.
For more information on any of the featured retirement accommodation, please contact:
The Villages Group Rainbow: call + 33 1 4007 8625 or visit www.thevillagesgroup.com/rainbow
Sun Park Living: call 0161 408 3360 or visit www.sunparkliving.com