The word “downsizing” gives the impression that the person moving home is in some way diminishing; living a smaller life in a smaller home. Don’t say that in earshot of our newest residents; Mr & Mrs Ogilvie, who still have a serious case of wanderlust. Looking for a fresh start and a lock-up-and-go place to call their own, it was a case of serendipity when Mr Ogilvie found Scalesceugh Hall & Villas, near his childhood home of Carlisle in Cumbria.
Mr Ogilvie comments: “I was raised in Carlisle and I was actually looking for somewhere new. I was familiar with the area and I came across the Scalesceugh estate. What appeals to me about a “retirement village” over bungalows or other properties is the access to facilities, if you need them."
"I have friends whose parents have recently bought a retirement property, but they feel like they’ve left it too late to enjoy it. It’s the community we are looking forward to, but the service fees make it great value for money."
"During lockdown, and in retirement, it had become apparent that our circle of friends had narrowed. Living in Beoley, as much as we loved it, there were no facilities. Covid made us stop and think. We were looking for a change of scene. Lockdown made us realise how staid everything had become.”
Mrs Ogilvie comments: “We’d been on days out everywhere locally in Worcestershire. We’d covered everything within an hour, an hour and a half. We were keen to explore here when we moved up. We met on a badminton court. I’ve always played tennis and Stuart plays golf, so we visited a couple of local tennis clubs."
Mr Ogilvie comments: “We know nobody at all. However, we visited a local tennis club, and it turns out someone there I had played against over 40 years ago.”
It’s not just tennis that the Ogilvie’s are planning to spend their retirement in Cumbria and the Lake District. They have been hampered slightly by lockdown, but plans are still being made for their next big holiday.
Mr Ogilvie comments: “Over the last 20 years we’ve been really lucky to be able to go on really long holidays. From Hawaii to Thailand, most recently. We’ve been to almost every state in the US. We’ve probably spent 30 summers in South Carolina. We used Airbnb when it was just starting, from someone’s basement in Minnesota to the 42nd floor of an apartment block looking over Lake Superior in Chicago."
Mrs Ogilvie adds: “We hope to go away for up to 8 weeks soon. Something like this you can lock up and leave as you know someone can look after them."
Living in an apartment in Scalesceugh Hall, owners can enjoy a low-maintenance lifestyle in beautiful Cumbrian countryside, on the edge of the Lake District, with major road and rail links within easy reach for convenient access to national and international travel.
Whether going on a weekend break or an eight-week cruise, owners can lock up and leave their apartment with the peace of mind that it's safe and secure.
When not travelling around the world and taking time to enjoy life in Cumbria, residents at Scalesceugh Hall & Villas can continue to enjoy an active lifestyle with access to a range of facilities within the estate, including a social lounge and cinema room, as well as a spa with swimming pool, sauna, rasul and treatment rooms, alongside a bistro.
Owners also have access to an Estate Manager who is responsible for overseeing the running of the development.
If you are looking for a lock-up-and-leave to spend your summers walking the fells and your winters in the Caribbean sunshine, then please call us on 07853 190765.
You can also browse our range of remaining apartments here.