The demand for retirement accommodation continues to grow throughout the country and on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast much is being done to meet this need.
The Widenham Retirement Village, a new offering from the Hibiscus Retirement Villages group, is delivering new units to retirees every month.
This development is the fourth retirement accommodation village from the group, which was established in 1962 by Beryl Munick who saw the need for retirement accommodation in the area.
Five years later, the first residents moved into the Margate Retirement Village - or the Village of Happiness as it was known. In 1991 and 1993, respectively, the Ramsgate Retirement Village and the Umdoni Retirement Village were developed.
The group’s new village, Widenham Retirement Village, saw its first occupants move in in October. Currently 76 units are occupied and eight new units are being delivered for occupation each month.
“We have sold 180 cottages in the development, with a few units left in phase 2 and phase 3. One, two, and three-bedroom units are available in phase 2 starting from R950000 for a one-bedroom home. Levies range from a basic charge of R2900 a month, Munick says.
Widenham Retirement Village still has a few units available in phases 2 and 3 of development. Picture: Supplied
Widenham Retirement Village is 50km south of Durban, just before the town of Scottburgh, and like other villages in the group, the cottages are sold on a Life Right basis. While this ownership scheme means that the homes are never owned by the residents, it does give them the right to live in them for the rest of their lives.
Hibiscus Retirement Villages is responsible for all maintenance of the cottages, both inside and out, Munick says, adding that there are no commissions, lawyer’s fees or taxes payable for Life Rights ownership.
“When residents leave the village, for whatever reason, the amount paid for the life right is refunded.”
The retirement village offers 24-hour nursing by staff operating out of the clinic and will offer a purpose-built frail-care facility later on in the development. Furthermore, each cottage is wired for wi-fi and fibre-to-the-home is provided, she says.
“We provide a telephone service (VOIP) as well as DStv to the home.
“All you need is your decoder. Our staff will connect you up and, within the day, your TVs, telephones, internet and printers will all be connected.”
Widenham Retirement Village is built on rolling hills on the sea side of the N2, behind the little town of Widenham, and adjacent to the Umkomaas golf course. The conservation areas are being rehabilitated by Dr Elsa Pooley, an internationally renowned horticulturist.
The website can be visited at
www.widenhamretirementvillage.co.za