A winter's tale

With rocketing fuel bills providing a world of worry for home owners up and down the UK, many will find that the real cost of heating a property is felt not only in the pocket, but also through the ever increasing pressure they are put under to cope with their spiralling finances.

It has long been claimed that new homes benefit over old in terms of energy efficiency, offering one solution for keeping bills at a more manageable level. This has certainly been the case for one retiree who saw that a move to a brand new purpose-built McCarthy & Stone property would not only save him money on his energy bills, but generally make his life more manageable throughout the troublesome winter months.

"Living in an older, larger house can be isolating and cold," explained Peter J Saunders, 81, a resident at the Forest Court development in the centre of Chester. "It's important to maintain a level of independence as you get older, but staying in my old house on my own made no financial sense at all.

"The matter of fuel bills was a huge consideration, and something I discussed at length with the sales team at McCarthy & Stone before moving in. I'm please to say though, that it has certainly been an economical move, and one that has made a noticeable difference to my financial outgoings."

On bills alone, Mr Saunders states that he is saving approximately £600 a year since moving from this former home in Handbridge into the town centre property, adding: "When you also take into consideration that I no longer have to pay for the annual maintenance of my gas boiler and equipment at a cost of around £100 a year, it all really starts to add up.

"There is also the matter that I only have an electric bill to think about now too, as McCarthy & Stone apartments do not have gas. This means that I can easily see what I am spending and manage my money much better."

Properties in McCarthy & Stone developments are all designed with a range of energy saving features as standard. These features include double glazed windows and patio doors, cavity wall insulation and low energy light fittings. Even the communal areas are developed with comfort in mind and are well insulated and heated throughout.

"It is so cosy here," Mr Saunders concludes. "The building is so well built that even when sat listening to the blustering winds outside, I don't feel a chill.

"Visitors are always commenting about how lovely and warm the development is, and I have felt really secure and protected from the elements since moving in."

Conveniently located on Union Street, Forest Court is ideally placed for public transport with numerous bus routes running close-by and the well-connected Chester railway station only a short distance away.

Retirement Living at Forest Court promotes an active and independent lifestyle for residents over the age of 55. Providing a selection of 53 purpose-built one and two bedroom apartments, each especially designed with maximum comfort and minimum maintenance in mind, prices at the development start from £155,950.

For further information about the apartments, please visit the show complex, open Tuesday to Saturday from 10.30am to 5.00pm.

See Also: Property News (6705), McCarthy & Stone (410), Forest Court (9), Chester (14)