Love the view, trust the plan — choosing where to live your best life in your old age

Daily Maverick

04-07-2025

Growing old is not for the faint of heart. It's complex and demands far more planning than picking a seaside village and hoping for the best. Here's how to choose where to begin this new chapter in life.
There's a moment, sometimes creeping in at the edge of a decade, sometimes announced by a friend's moving boxes, when the question crystallises: where will I grow old?
For some, it's a chance to reinvent their daily life. For others, it's a calculation of cost, availability of care and how far the grandkids will need to travel for Sunday lunch. Here's what to consider before making the move.
The geography of good living
The trend of coastal migration among South African retirees has long been popular. This is because the country offers one of the best coastal climates with plenty of sunshine and opportunities to live a healthy lifestyle, says Samuel Seeff, chairperson of the Seeff Property Group.
Coastal towns generally also offer great infrastructure and healthcare facilities, as well as natural attractions, and he says many people buy holiday homes in which they later retire.
'Plettenberg Bay, Hermanus, Langebaan, Zimbali, the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal's South Coast towns are good examples of where people do this.'
Research by the World Health Organization points out the benefits of access to nature – so-called green and blue spaces – in improving mental and physical health. That said, don't settle for scenery alone. Retirees seldom want to live in isolation and one needs to assess whether you want to be close to friends and family.
Cost is another factor to consider. 'Western Cape and Garden Route towns are, for example, more expensive compared with KwaZulu-Natal's South Coast towns,' Seeff says, adding that homes in the Eastern Cape are usually priced midway between these two provinces.
What to look for in a retirement home
Not all retirement villages are created equal and, given the challenges of infrastructure in South Africa, future residents of retirement homes should prioritise their security and sustainability.
Infrastructure and sustainability
Start with the basics and interrogate how self-reliant the place is. We live in a country where power cuts and water shortages are standard. Retirement homes with their own solar infrastructure and water tanks are some things to look out for when choosing a retirement home, Lonehill Manor Retirement Estate advises.
Solar energy also reduces electricity bills, and backup water systems cater to the hygiene and medical needs of residents with health issues, it adds.
Security first
Older people are particularly vulnerable to crime, and security is a priority when looking for a new place to live. This makes secure estates a top choice among retirees.
Ideal safety features include 24-hour security, CCTV, biometric access, fencing and emergency response services, says Evergreen Lifestyle Retirement Villages.
Lifestyle amenities
A good retirement home should not only protect you but also enhance your lifestyle. Seeff says retirees should look for leisure amenities when wanting to move, such as pools, walking paths, libraries, communal lounges, hobby rooms and gyms.
And a heated pool, adds Lonehill Manor, is beneficial for rehabilitation and enjoying aqua aerobics.
The value of community should also not be underestimated. Having access to social clubs and community-run events fosters community, encourages active living and supports a sense of purpose and joy in your everyday life, Evergreen Lifestyle Retirement says. It adds that for many retirees, pets are a source of emotional comfort, so be sure to find out about the estate's pet policy.
Frail-care facilities
When you're physically healthy, it is important to plan for a time that you won't be. Many retirement homes offer frail-care facilities on-site that allow you to transition gradually without having to relocate or uproot your support system.
For example, Evergreen's villages offer specialised frail-care services like 24-hour nursing care, dementia and Alzheimer's care, step-down units and emergency services on-site.
Management matters
You can live in the most beautifully built unit in the best-located retirement home, but if the management is not up to scratch, the cracks will show quickly.
Ask who is in charge and ask about their experience in managing retirement estates, advises Wouter Fourie from Ascor Independent Wealth Managers. Request copies of annual general meeting minutes, speak to residents about how disputes are handled and find out which mechanisms exist for complaints or changes.
Life rights vs property ownership
You've found the perfect retirement spot, but what are you actually buying? In South Africa, more retirees are opting for a life right. It's a legal arrangement whereby you pay for the right to live in a unit for the rest of your life without owning the property, Seeff explains. The model is growing in popularity because of its cost-effectiveness and simplicity.
The appeal is that it's generally cheaper than investing in a sectional title, Seeff says. The maintenance burden also falls on the property owner, who guarantees to buy it back at a specified rate.
But you won't benefit from capital appreciation if property values rise, nor can you leave the rights to dependants in a will, Seeff cautions, adding that life right properties usually come with extra fees for servicing, meals and access to amenities.
Prices for these properties range from R1.3-million to R7.5-million or more, on average, compared with sectional or full-title homes that tend to have higher upfront costs, generally starting at about R2.3-million to R3.2-million.
Sue Torr, managing director of Crue Invest, says many clients have found themselves in sticky situations because they did not fully understand their life right contract when they signed it.
'Our best advice is to seek guidance from a property lawyer to review all clauses, especially those relating to refunds, termination conditions, maintenance obligations, levies and annual increases,' Torr says.
You should also be clear on all terms that relate to frail-care provisions, resale procedures, administration costs and rules around pets, she adds.
Health, wealth and what lies ahead
The cost of healthcare rises faster than inflation and most people are unprepared for this. Medical aid doesn't typically cover long-term, continuing frail care, says Janneke Gerber, Western Cape manager of Succession Financial Planning. 'Some plans do cover short-term care when the elderly person is recovering from a medical procedure or operation, but this is only temporary.'
According to Gerber, inflation related to medical costs can be up to 15% a year.
Torr says it's important to budget realistically for healthcare costs in retirement and build in robust assumptions when it comes to the realities of medical inflation.
Don't believe that your past medical history is an indication of future good health, she warns, since many illnesses are a result of ageing. Her advice is to budget for worst-case healthcare scenarios and be realistic about the future cost of full-time care.
'Frail-care costs can easily be between R30,000 and R45,000 per month,' Gerber explains. People moving to life right villages often find themselves unprepared for the additional expense of frail-care units on top of their levies, she adds.
Frail care at home can be a more affordable option, but often you would need more than one caretaker to work in shifts.
'The carers are normally not trained nurses, but did do a course in caring for the elderly,' Gerber says. 'The family has to be careful who they select to take care of the elderly person and it is recommended that they use a reputable agency.'
Ready, set… maybe not yet
Relocating when you're not emotionally prepared can be destabilising, as retirement can be a daunting life change, Evergreen Lifestyle Retirement says. 'We believe that the best time to move to a retirement village is while you are still active and independent.'
First, you need to do research on any new place where you want to move, Seeff says. 'There is nothing worse than moving from Joburg to a small town only to find that it doesn't meet your lifestyle needs.' DM