What is it like to live in a retirement home? We ask Maria Stopps, resident at Pegasus Homes at Highfields, West Byfleet
Q: Maria, can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Maria: Of course! I'm 77 years old and was married for 56 wonderful years before my husband passed away a year and a half ago. We ran our own consultancy business for nearly 30 years, though we loved travelling and cruising. I have one daughter who is a lawyer and lives in West Byfleet with her two daughters, my granddaughters, who are 17 and 18.
Q: What attracted you to your home at Highfields?
Maria: I was actually quite against the idea of moving to a retirement place initially. My daughter visited the property behind my back and was so impressed that she hatched a plan to get me to see it! When I finally did, I was blown away by the grounds, amenities and the convenience of the location. It's just a 10-minute walk to the shops and the station isn't far away either. I moved in August, and the process was incredibly quick and smooth.
Q: How has the transition to a later-living community been for you?
Maria: I had downsized a couple of times before moving here, so the transition an easier one, knowing what furniture I was going to be able to fit. I was previously in Radlett, Hertfordshire, then Weybridge, to be closer to my daughter and help with my granddaughters when they were toddlers. Now, I live in a lovely 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom apartment on the second floor with nice views and a little balcony. Everything I need is close by, and my family visits often, hanging out together in the communal lounge at Highfields.
Q: What do you enjoy most about living at Highfields?
Maria: There are so many things I love about living here. The grounds are beautifully maintained, and I don't have to lift a finger, which is wonderful. I enjoy walking around the gardens and watching people work on the allotments. The communal spaces are huge and there's plenty of room to find a quiet corner to relax. There's a strong sense of community here, with monthly meetings, social events, and even Friday evening sundowner drinks that sometimes turn into nightcaps! You can do as much or as little as you want, getting involved in events when it suits you but sitting out when it doesn’t. I really value that.
Q: How has your perception of later living homes changed since moving here?
Maria: My perception has changed dramatically. I used to think of retirement homes as more like care homes, which made me nervous because of some bad experiences in the past regarding my late mother-in-law. But Pegasus Homes is nothing like that. There are people of various ages, and more couples than I expected. It's a vibrant community, and I'm quite happy here.
Q: What do you think of West Byfleet as a location?
Maria: West Byfleet is fantastic. The local theatre in Woking brings in London shows, which is great. There are lovely restaurants, including a variety of different cuisine options. West Byfleet’s town centre is being regenerated, which will add more shops for us to choose from. Although some shops have closed recently, there are still plenty around, and there's a nice coffee place I enjoy. I can also drive into Weybridge or get an Uber to Brooklands for a coffee with friends.
Q: Are you happy you made the move?
Maria: Overall, I'm very content here. The proximity to my daughter, son-in-law and granddaughters is invaluable, and the community and amenities at Pegasus Homes have exceeded my expectations. It's a wonderful place to live, and I'm grateful for the support and friendships I've found here.
For more info, see pegasushomes.co.uk/our-communities/highfields/
