Ken Girling

From Spain’s Heat to Southport’s Haven: A Retirement Reinvented Through Renting.

At 87, Ken Girling is making the most of his retirement with a busy, independent lifestyle at retirement community Homeport House, Southport, through My Future Living. A retired Forces veteran and former dairy industry professional, Ken spent 20 years in Spain before returning to the UK five years ago to be closer to his daughter, just after Covid began.

Freedom, flexibility and peace of mind

For Ken, moving into a retirement rental was a first. “I’d always owned property before, in Harrogate and Spain, but didn’t want to buy at my age,” he explains. “Renting was straightforward, convenient, and suits me perfectly.”

His daughter found the apartment for him, and on returning to the UK, he viewed it and found it ideal. The central location makes it easy for him to get out and about without relying on transport, and the secure environment gives him peace of mind.

Renting also provides financial predictability. “I know exactly what I’m paying each month, which makes budgeting simple. And there are no unexpected repair bills, everything’s taken care of,” Ken says. This freedom from maintenance and mortgage worries lets him focus on staying active and involved.

A vibrant, supportive community

Life at Homeport House is far from quiet. Ken enjoys a packed social calendar, including playing snooker, attending a men’s weekly breakfast club, a church study group, the British Legion, and volunteering at the local food bank. “It’s a safe, peaceful environment, and the residents are friendly. I have privacy but never feel isolated,” he says. Ken is also considered a “reliable tenant,” helping check in on other residents when needed.

He praises the management team, “We have a development manager on site during the week and a maintenance person always ready to fix anything quickly. It’s all handled, so you don’t have to worry about security or upkeep.”

Why Ken recommends retirement renting

“When you get well over pension age, you don’t want to be hassled by a mortgage or maintenance issues. With My Future Living, you pay your rent and everything’s done. You’re secure and can focus on living your life.”

With apartments starting from £795, Homeport House offers retired people like Ken the chance to enjoy an active, worry-free, and financially predictable retirement, within a welcoming and supportive community.