A COUPLE from Middlesex are looking forward to spending their retirement in a luxurious apartment after moving into a new development in Wokingham town centre.
Maureen and Alan Painter, who have been married for 53 years, moved into the McCarthy and Stone Queen’s Gate development in Wellington Road in May after downsizing from their three-bedroom family home.
Four months later, and the couple have settled into their new surroundings and created a new life for themselves in Wokingham.
Maureen, 74, said: “I wanted to move for quite a while before we did. Our house had a very big garden and, to be honest, I was finding it all too much hassle.
“I wanted something smaller.
“My husband had a triple heart bypass a few years ago and the maintenance was getting too much for him.
“I wasn’t thinking about moving into a retirement development but as soon as I saw this I was sold!
“I went on holiday last year to Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds and saw a McCarthy and Stone development being built, I thought it looked really nice.
“I came home and told my daughter who said there was one being built down the road from her in Wokingham. We sent off for the brochure immediately and here we are!”
The development is conveniently located right in the centre of Wokingham, within walking distance of the train station and other local amenities.
Homeowners are able to relax in the luxurious club lounge, a comfortable communal area ideal for socialising with friends and neighbours, as well as the development’s beautiful landscaped gardens.
Maureen said: “We’ve been living here for four months and have settled in really well. I didn’t expect to enjoy the companionship element as much as I do.
“The homeowners here all get on really well, everyone is very friendly. We go down in the afternoon and sit in the lounge, have a coffee and a chat. That wasn’t something I expected.
“My husband is really sociable and has made friends with a couple of the men, and been out for a pint at the local pub!
“We’ve had a couple of fun events here already in our first few months. A 60th wedding anniversary and a 90th birthday party with afternoon tea and bottles of fizz, we’ve definitely been enjoying ourselves.”
Offering a selection of 32 one- and two-bedroom Retirement Living apartments, exclusively designed for people aged 60 and over, Queen’s Gate provides everything retirees could want for a relaxing and enjoyable retirement.
A concierge is on hand to provide help or support should they need it, and friends and family can stay over in the development’s comfortable guest suite.
Other facilities at Queen’s Gate include a security entrance system and 24 hour emergency call points for added peace of mind.
Maureen said: “My son and daughter were both really impressed with our new home.
“We are right in the middle of town so we have all the shops on our doorstep and have plenty of amenities. Before we had to travel on a bus to go shopping, here we can just walk down the road to Waitrose and Tesco. I’ve never had that before.
“We wanted more people to talk to as we didn’t know our neighbours at all before. Here it’s lovely as all the other residents are so nice and chatty.
“We are also a lot closer to our children, which is fantastic at this stage in our life.”
Julie Ward, Sales and Marketing Director for McCarthy and Stone South East, said: “It’s an incredibly rewarding part of our job when we hear how happy our homeowners are, so it’s great to hear that Maureen and Alan are enjoying their new lifestyle at Queen’s Gate.”
For further information about the remaining Retirement Living apartment at Queen’s Gate, call 0800 201 4743 or visit www.mccarthyandstone.co.uk/queensgate
