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RETIREE RUTH RECOMMENDS SHARED OWNERSHIP IN TAUNTON
Ruth loves her new McCarthy Stone retirement property at Kingfisher Court. Find out more about her story and our Shared Ownership homes in Taunton.
Discover the benefits of Shared Ownership in Taunton
Shared Ownership makes ‘rightsizing’ an affordable option for retirees in Taunton and beyond, reducing the upfront costs of a new retirement property by allowing you to purchase a percentage of your home, up to a 75% share.
One of the first to benefit from Shared Ownership with McCarthy Stone is Ruth Winson, 79, who moved to Kingfisher Court in October 2023. Born in Somerset, Ruth already lived close to the retirement community, but was keen to downsize so she could spend more time doing the things she enjoys the most.
“Maintaining a larger home comes with so much responsibility, meaning you have little time to do anything else. I wanted to find somewhere that would require less upkeep, so I could spend less time tidying and more time seeing friends and family among other things I enjoy,” she says.
“I’ve travelled all over the world and lived in lots of amazing places, including Germany, Holland, Australia, and Papua New Guinea, but my heart belongs to Somerset. My family and friends also live close by, so it made perfect sense for me to be here.”
Peace of mind, affordability and an easy move
Shared Ownership has allowed Ruth greater flexibility, not just in terms of time, but peace of mind too.
She adds, “What I really like about Shared Ownership is that I can pay for my home, while living my retirement to the fullest. Not only has the move to Kingfisher Court given me a new lease of life, allowing me the opportunity to create new memories and relive my youth, it’s also given me that all-important reassurance. I love that I can go away for the weekend or go on trips with my family and not have to worry about my apartment. It’s also useful to know there’s always support on hand should I ever need it. Whilst I’m very active and healthy now, having the option of support in the future puts my mind – and my family’s mind – at ease.”
Prior to moving, the former bank and NHS worker already had some knowledge of Shared Ownership, but the friendly team at Kingfisher Court were able to shed more light on its array of benefits.
“I’d heard of similar schemes and opportunities before, but nothing quite matched what Shared Ownership could offer, especially given that I was able to purchase at the maximum 75%. The McCarthy Stone team really helped to simplify the buying process and went above and beyond, even going as far as to help me pack my belongings at my previous house during the move. It got me really excited for what lay ahead.”
Good company and a new love
With more time on her hands, Ruth has even found love again. “It’s a relatively new relationship, but we really enjoy spending time with one another and often go fishing together,” she explains.
She adds that Kingfisher Court is full of friendly faces and opportunities to socialise with the other homeowners.
“Feeling lonely certainly isn’t an issue at Kingfisher Court, but what’s nice is that we each respect one another’s privacy, so it never feels intrusive.”
“Since moving here, I’ve felt so much more relaxed. It’s such a relief to no longer have to worry about the upkeep of a larger home and better yet, I still have the luxury of outdoor space. Growing up in the countryside, I’ve always loved being outside, so having the communal gardens on my doorstep is a real treat.”
As a result of making the move to Kingfisher Court, Ruth is now able to experience all the benefits of Retirement Living Plus, which includes a wealth of amenities designed for a full and varied lifestyle. A spacious communal lounge sits at the heart of day-to-day life and is home to regular social events, while well-maintained gardens offer the perfect setting for a summer soiree or light stroll. For those who fancy a break from cooking, an on-site bistro serving freshly prepared meals daily is the place to be – as backed by Ruth: “Often when I’ve lost track of time or I’m not up to cooking, I walk down to the bistro and grab a bite to eat. There’s lots of different dishes to try and it’s nice that you can enjoy the company of friends whilst filling up on delicious food.”
A shared ownership home leads to new start for Christine
McCarthy Stone has Shared Ownership properties for sale in many of our retirement communities, benefiting people like 92 year old Christine in Taunton.