A new retirement living apartment has been a great move for the Potiphars

While many purchasers of new-build retirement living property are downsizing from a larger home, Bob and Pat Potiphar had spent eighteen years living in an apartment in Hove before moving to their new home at Catherine Lodge in Durrington-on-Sea, near Worthing, from specialist developer Churchill Retirement Living.

After so long in one home, it was bound to be a big decision to move, but the couple were beginning to get disenchanted in their previous home and the new-build retirement development where they now live has a number of great features that made that decision much easier.

"When we moved in, everyone owned their flat, but then many of them started to be rented out. It started to get noisy, and to look a bit shabby," explains Pat. Accessibility was also an issue, as Bob has multiple sclerosis and their eighth-floor location in their previous property was a real problem, particularly when the lift was once out of action for five months. It was time to find a property that would make their life much easier.

One day, the Potiphars spotted an ad for Catherine Lodge in a magazine and decided to visit the show home there. They were struck by a number of important factors that would make life much more pleasant: the specification, which includes a 24-hour emergency Careline; location, close to shops and amenities as well as being just a few minutes' drive from one of their sons; and a social scene that centres on the communal lounge and means that like-minded neighbours and friends are right on hand. The couple are delighted with their move to a brand new one-bedroom home.

"The apartment is lovely," adds Pat. "It faces south and gets all the sun. There are shops across the road and along Goring Road, Field Place park opposite where we can watch the bowls, and the bus service is fantastic, every ten minutes. We've met everyone and go the coffee mornings we all get on very well. It's lovely here. It's very nice."

Prices start at £159,950 at Catherine Lodge, which has 39 one- and two-bedroom apartments. The development is set in communal landscaped gardens and offers not just a lounge for the use of residents, but also a laundry room and guest suite for visiting friends and family. As well as the Careline, residents also have the peace of mind provided by a video-entry security system and an on-site Lodge Manager, who looks after day-to-day running of the development and arranges social events.

Pat Potiphar and her husband Bob are both delighted with their move to a brand new one-bedroom apartment at Catherine Lodge in Durrington-on-Sea, a new development from retirement specialists Churchill Retirement Living