Testimonials

More and more people are buying retirement apartments to be closer to family members, and McCarthy & Stone, with over 160 developments across the UK, is the ideal company to approach.

Before they moved to McCarthy & Stone's Betjeman Court in Wantage, Pat and Pru Cathcart - both 80 - were living in a four-bedroom house in Harborne, Birmingham. Their daughter, Sally Matthews, who lives in Childrey, near Wantage, spotted Betjeman Court and started the ball rolling.

Mrs Cathcart said: "Sally came and had a look round Betjeman Court, thinking it might suit us and when she liked what she saw, she suggested we should come and have a look for ourselves. She told us we would like and she was right; and it was completely our own decision to move.

"We had already looked at some McCarthy & Stone developments in the Birmingham area, but it was so handy having one near Sally and our three grandchildren that we decided to come here.

" We have a lovely two-bedroom apartment on the ground floor, with patio doors opening onto a terrace. The lifestyle is good and the main advantage from our point of view is the location. We have a lovely two-bedroom apartment on the ground floor, with patio doors opening onto a terrace. The lifestyle is good and the main advantage from our point of view is the location. We can walk to the shops and so we hardly have to use the car, which is a really big plus as it won't be the end of the world when we have to give up driving."

At Betjeman Court there is a selection of one- and two-bedroom apartments designed for people over 60 who need a manageable and secure home without sacrificing their independence.

Each apartment is connected to a 24-hour personal emergency system and video surveillance at the main entrance.

Other facilities at Betjeman Court include a house manager, landscaped gardens, a guest suite and a laundry room.