Susan Long
Susan Long rebuilds her life in the UK by renting in a retirement community.
Susan Long, aged 75 years has rebuilt her life by renting in a retirement development in Gosport after living in the South of Spain for many years. After the death of her husband, her two daughters urged her to move back home to the UK so they could be closer to her and help through this difficult time.
Originally from Malborough in Wiltshire, Susan was a Civil Servant for 25 years and then retired to Spain with her husband, Peter where they spent 14 glorious years.
After Peter’s sudden death, life changed dramatically for Susan. They had been married for 54 years and with her two daughters and five grandchildren in the UK there was a strong pull back to move back to England.
On one of Susan’s trips back to see her family, she was persuaded by her daughters to go and look at some properties through retirement rental specialists, My Future Living.
Susan comments: “Even though it was a grey September day, the minute I walked into the first flat in Norfolk House, a retirement development in Gosport, I just knew this was my new home. It just felt so right.”
Susan loves her new one-bedroom flat and feels very at home. “It’s cosy and comfortable and I am so very happy here. I just love going back home after being out for the day. Even though I miss my friends in Spain, I feel settled and happy with the life I have here.”
One of the many benefits of living in a retirement development is that there’s always someone on site to help with any maintenance issues or an emergency. Susan says: “It gives you the additional peace of mind that you’re not on your own which is reassuring and comforting.”
Susan seems to have fallen more in love with her new life thanks to the supportive and friendly community of neighbours around her. From day one, they would knock on her door offering a coffee, friendly conversation and even curtains for the flat. Susan says she really cherishes being around people who are sociable and good neighbours.
Susan says: ‘I’m a very sociable person which means that I can suffer from loneliness. That’s what is so wonderful about living here, there is always someone up for a chat either at home or in the garden.”
Even during the lockdowns, Susan wasn’t lonely as she would talk to her neighbours through her window or even have a coffee in the corridor with their masks on. At the development, there are regular coffee mornings, garden parties in the summer months, birthday celebrations and an annual Christmas lunch.
Susan recently took her first holiday on her own without her beloved husband which she enjoyed. Susan says: “Suddenly being on your own after 54 years takes some adjusting to and taking this holiday on my own, despite offers from friends to come with me was important to me as I needed to show myself that I could cope and enjoy a holiday by myself – which I did!”
Susan concludes: “Moving back to the UK and renting in retirement was a big change for me, but I can honestly say I haven’t looked back and am so happy I made the decision. Even though I live on my own, I never feel alone here.”
