French developers expect to benefit from UK retirees

The number of people reaching retirement age in the UK is due to increase by 22% this year compared to 2011, further the number of retirees living in the UK is predicted to be more than 15 million by 2030. This is and will place even more strain on limited housing stock.

It's estimated that older households will account for half of all household growth between now and 2026. With people living longer and remaining healthier and more active well into retirement, French developers are hoping to benefit from this pool of retired buyers by building communities which are designed to appeal to the over 50s.

Such retirement villages are already commonplace in countries such as the USA and Australia, where they are a popular and practical solution for those seeking to enjoy a better quality of life and lower living costs.

Amongst those retirement villages being built in France are some being constructed by the Villages Group, which carried out years of careful research before creating its first resorts in Bordeaux/ Perigord, Canal du Midi and Provence.

The villages have been built to provide eco-friendly chalet style homes constructed on one level and situated in beautiful natural surroundings. On-site amenities include indoor pools, entertainment programmes, tennis courts and gymnasium facilities. Offering no medical facilities, the idea is that these villages provide homes for fit and healthy people, who are enjoying their retirement. As such they are not traditional retirement homes.

France is one of the top 10 countries for expats in the world due to its relaxed lifestyle, beautiful countryside and excellent quality of life. Thanks to the large number of low-cost airlines, it's also very easy to travel to and from France from the UK.

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