If you’re looking for a place to retire and want to release the equity in your existing home, residential park living could be for you. The parks are friendly communities of like-minded people living in luxury bungalows at superb locations. In fact, you’ll be hard-pushed to find anyone who’s made the switch and regretted it!
So why aren’t more people moving to such gated bungalow communities? Perhaps it’s the myths and misconceptions that exist about the lifestyle. Time for Quickmove to dispel the main ones for you…
Myth 1:
Isn’t living on a park a bit slow?
No! You can be as involved in the park community as much as you like. At most sites residents can enjoy on-site leisure facilities and an active social scene, ensuring there’s never a dull moment. Activities organised and run by residents themselves include quiz nights, live music, bingo events, golf societies, art clubs and line dancing!
Myth 1:
Isn’t living on a park a bit slow?
No! At most sites residents can enjoy on-site leisure facilities and an active social scene, ensuring there’s never a dull moment. Activities organised and run by residents themselves include quiz nights, live music, bingo events, golf societies, art clubs and line dancing!
Myth 2:
Does it get lonely on a park?
Residential parks are very welcoming and a great option for those who want to be a part of a close-knit, thriving community. Neighbours look out for each other and its the perfect environment to make new friends for life. Often new park residents move in to be near friends and family who are already enjoying the lifestyle.
Myth 2:
Does it get lonely on a park?
Residential parks are very welcoming and a great option for those who want to be a part of a close-knit, thriving community. Neighbours look out for each other and its the perfect environment to make new friends for life. Often new park residents move in to be near friends and family who are already enjoying the lifestyle.
Myth 3:
Are there loads of rules to follow?
Most parks specify that residents must be minimum 50 years of age. Residents are usually expected to keep their properties up to park standards and control their pets. These sensible measures ensure that gated bungalow parks are a pleasure to live in, with no vandalism, crime, graffiti or antisocial behaviour. In fact, they bring to mind a bygone era, with residents saying that every day is like being on holiday!
Myth 3:
Are there loads of rules to follow?
Most parks specify that residents must be minimum 50 years of age. Residents are usually expected to keep their properties up to park standards and control their pets. These sensible measures ensure that gated bungalow parks are a pleasure to live in, with no vandalism, crime, graffiti or antisocial behaviour. In fact, they bring to mind a bygone era, with residents saying that every day is like being on holiday!
Myth 4:
Aren’t park homes just like caravans for living in?
Absolutely not. While many parks are located in holiday hot spots, they’re certainly not caravan sites. Modern park bungalows are built to stringent regulations, surprisingly spacious, and fully kitted out with choice of plush furnishings and latest gadgets. Most include a parking space and easy to maintain private garden. The larger models have two en-suite bedrooms, extra space for walk-in wardrobes, utility room, study room, exterior decking and even hot tubs!
Myth 4:
Aren’t park homes just like caravans for living in?
Absolutely not. While many parks are located in holiday hot spots, they’re certainly not caravan sites. Modern park bungalows are built to stringent regulations, surprisingly spacious, and fully kitted out with choice of plush furnishings and latest gadgets. Most include a parking space and easy to maintain private garden. The larger models have two en-suite bedrooms, extra space for walk-in wardrobes, utility room, study room, exterior decking and even hot tubs!
Myth 5:
Don’t park homes soon lose value?
Park bungalows are British-built in state-of-the-art factories to BS3632 quality standards.
The metro tile roof has a 40-year water ingress warranty and all homes come with a 10-year warranty similar to an NHBC on bricks and mortar. Maintain it and it can last a lifetime.
The home and plot are owned by the resident in perpetuity and can be inherited like any other property.
Myth 5:
Don’t park homes soon lose value?
Park bungalows are British-built in state-of-the-art factories to BS3632 quality standards.
The metro tile roof has a 40-year water ingress warranty and all homes come with a 10-year warranty similar to an NHBC on bricks and mortar. Maintain it and it can last a lifetime.
The home is owned by the resident, with the right to reside on the plot in perpetuity. This tenure is known as ‘Virtual Freehold’ and this can be inherited like any other property.
Myth 6:
Its expensive to live on a park
Park homes are more affordable to buy than traditional homes, they are low maintenance, well insulated and energy-efficient.Buying one can release the equity tied up in your existing home, often leaving you with some free cash in your bank account too. Residents pay annual site fees, minimal utility services and council tax – usually Band A.
Myth 6:
Its expensive to live on a park
Park homes are more affordable to buy than traditional homes, they are low maintenance, well insulated and energy-efficient. Buying one can release the equity tied up in your existing home, often leaving you with some free cash in your bank account too. Residents pay annual site fees, minimal utility services and council tax – usually Band A.
Myth 7:
Moving to a park and buying a park home is complicated and expensive
The reality is that moving to a park home can be straightforward, especially using the help of industry specialists Quickmove Properties who guide you through the process and do the hard work of finding your ideal park location and home. Quickmove can negotiate with park owners and can even take on the arduous process of selling your existing property to fund the move.
With our part exchange service, we can buy your existing property so you effectively become a cash buyer, freeing you from property chains to buy the brand new home of your dreams with speed, certainty and ease. The park finding service has no upfront cost or obligation, and if you use part exchange, Quickmove also pay your estate agent and solicitors fees.
Myth 7:
Moving to a park and buying a park home is complicated and expensive
The reality is that moving to a park home can be straightforward, especially using the help of industry specialists Quickmove Properties who guide you through the process and do the hard work of finding your ideal park location and home. Quickmove can negotiate with park owners and can even take on the arduous process of selling your existing property to fund the move.
With our part exchange service, we can buy your existing property so you effectively become a cash buyer, freeing you from property chains to buy the brand new home of your dreams with speed, certainty and ease. The park finding service has no upfront cost or obligation, and if you use part exchange, Quickmove also pay your estate agent and solicitors fees.
Hopefully this gives a clearer and more realistic view of what residential park living is really about.
If you have further queries that you’d like Quickmove to demystify, the team would be more than happy to help. Just give them a call on 0800 328 2168 for a friendly chat!