Kristen wrote:
I'm sorry about the O/T post but I can't find any other directly
relevant newsgroups and urgently need advice.

The family homes are no longer suitable for a very close relative of
mine to live in. This relative has very little assets until legal
matters are concluded, which may take years. I will have to chip in
but the immediacy of the matter means that I can't muster more than
50k in savings and borrowings. I know the budget is very small but she
won't be able to take a mortgage given her age and I have found small
homes in rural areas costing that much so I know it is not impossible.

I am looking to buy a new home for her in the UK. I'm looking for:

- A home, preferably with a good sized piece of land to keep her
active in the garden
- Within my budget of 50k
- In a quiet, peaceful and safe rural area (the sort of place where
people leave front doors unlocked)
- Has a low cost of living
- Has good healthcare (where she won't have to drive for miles to the
nearest clinic)
- Has a friendly, large Anglican/CoE community who will take care of
her

One option that no-one has suggested so far is a flat in a block
designed for old people. This has the advantage of not being in a rural
area. Though lots of people retire to the country it is only ever for a
limited period. Rural areas have poorer services, especially health, as
money is syphoned off them to subsidise services in cities. There are
practical problems as well. There is little or no public transport. Once
the old person has to give up driving he or she is cut off. Villages are
losing shops, post offices and pubs so you can't be self-sufficient.
Many have holiday and second homes so have few able bodied permanent
inhabitants to keep an eye on others. Ambulances take much longer
because of the distances and hospitals being centralised. I live in the
country and love it, but I know that sooner or later I will move back to
a city, in my case a good one, being Norwich.

To buy a second-hand 'over-55s' flat in Norwich at the moment costs
about 80 to 90 000 UKP. The UK market is very low. I know because a
friend has one for sale. Management fees are about 1600 UKP a year and
there is ground rent of about 300 a year. For that you would get
maintained grounds, communal meeting area, secure entries and a daytime
manager. Please note this is *not* a sales pitch. I am just giving you
some facts that I happen to know. Of course if you were interested....

Good luck with your relative. It's a very difficult time and you will
need to plan for when she needs nursing care.

Peter Scott