Rightsizing, Not Downsizing: Why Freestanding Homes in Retirement Estates Are a New Trend

The concept of retiring has long been associated with downsizing – buying a smaller place, saving on costs and getting rid of excess furniture. But as with all things retirement, trends are changing, with many retirees preferring to invest in freestanding homes or places that better suit their needs, particularly in secure estates.

“Retirement has changed considerably, and people are increasingly asking what they actually want their home to enable them to do rather than simply looking at how much space they can give up,” says Barto van der Merwe, Managing Director of Renishaw Property Developments, a subsidiary of Crookes Brothers Limited.

“For many buyers, having extra rooms and a garden is an important part of enjoying retirement, which is why freestanding homes and maisonettes are becoming really popular in retirement estates. Rightsizing is about finding the right fit for your life, rather than simply making everything smaller.”

Key reasons retirees are choosing to rightsize

1. They still need space for family
Retirement doesn’t necessarily mean an empty nest. Children and grandchildren may visit regularly, particularly when retirees move to a coastal destination like the KZN Mid-South Coast that becomes a holiday base for family from elsewhere in South Africa or overseas. Additional rooms, a garden, and generous living areas can make hosting easier.

2. Working from home
Many people continue working part-time after retirement, and working from home is a current trend among retirees. This could involve consulting, writing, or any manner of home-based work, with a dedicated study providing valuable workspace without compromising the rest of the home.

3. Hobbies need room
Retirement often means having more time for interests that were previously squeezed around work. Whether it’s painting, gardening, reading, crafting or fitness, having an extra room or outdoor space can make these activities more enjoyable.

4. They want to entertain
Beyond families – and with more time available – retirees often have greater opportunities to host friends for meals or even weekend getaways. Open-plan living areas and gardens provide space for relaxed entertaining, with additional bedrooms encouraging friends from further afield to visit more often!

5. They want less maintenance
This is perhaps the biggest distinction between rightsizing and traditional downsizing. Buyers may want a comfortable three-bedroom home but no longer want to spend weekends maintaining a large garden, repairing fences, or managing exterior upkeep. Rightsizing can remove many of the responsibilities associated with a large property because these form part of the estate services.

6. Security is more important
Security is important at all stages, but retirees are often more vulnerable. Moving from a standalone suburban property into a secure estate can provide peace of mind while allowing residents to retain the privacy and independence of a freestanding home.

7. They want a home that works for the future
A well-designed, spacious home can provide space now while also accommodating changing needs later. For mature buyers, accessibility and potential assisted-living requirements can be considered without immediately sacrificing space or independence.

8. They want a lifestyle, not just a property
For many retirees, the move is about joining a community as much as changing homes. Secure estates can provide access to social clubs, walking groups, sporting facilities, community events, and like-minded neighbours, which all create opportunities for an active retirement.

Renishaw Hills offers the space to rightsize

Van der Merwe says this is the thinking behind the range of homes available at Renishaw Hills, a mature lifestyle estate in Scottburgh on the KZN South Coast. The estate’s freestanding homes range across two- and three-bedroom configurations, offering privacy, gardens, and indoor-outdoor living. Features such as spacious layouts, verandahs, large windows, high ceilings, and natural airflow are designed around comfortable coastal living.

For buyers wanting more space, the freestanding homes provide room for family and guests while still offering the benefits of estate living. These also incorporate features such as SMEG appliances, inverters, and installed fibre and WiFi connectivity, while garden maintenance, security, and other estate services reduce the day-to-day responsibilities associated with home ownership.

For those who prefer something not as big, but without giving up the benefits of a proper home, Renishaw Hills’ two-bedroom maisonettes offer a different interpretation of rightsizing. These single-level, vertically attached homes have separate entrances and are designed to provide convenience while retaining a comfortable residential feel.

“It’s about giving people choices,” says van der Merwe. “Some residents want a generous freestanding home because they know family will visit, they love gardening or they simply enjoy having space around them. Others prefer the convenience of a maisonette. The important thing is that buyers can choose a home around the lifestyle they want, rather than being told that retirement automatically means living smaller.”

Renishaw Hills FAQs

1. What is rightsizing in retirement property?
Rightsizing means choosing a home that suits your current lifestyle rather than simply moving into the smallest possible property. For retirees, this could mean selecting a two- or three-bedroom home in Renishaw Hills that provides space for family, guests, hobbies, or working from home, while reducing maintenance and household responsibilities.

2. Are freestanding homes suitable for retirees?
Yes. A freestanding home within a secure lifestyle estate like Renishaw Hills can offer retirees privacy, garden space and room for guests while providing the convenience of estate-managed services, security, activities and community amenities. This makes it possible to retain the benefits of a house without all the responsibilities of maintaining a standalone property.

3. What retirement property options are available at Renishaw Hills?
Renishaw Hills offers a range of two- and three-bedroom freestanding homes, as well as two-bedroom, single-level maisonettes. The freestanding homes are designed around spacious coastal living, with features including gardens, verandahs, large windows and high ceilings, while the maisonettes offer a more manageable alternative for buyers seeking convenience without moving into a conventional apartment.

Get in touch!

Far from being just an active retirement community, Renishaw Hills in Scottburgh on the KZN Mid-South Coast is a premier mature lifestyle estate for individuals over 50, offering a vibrant, active lifestyle. For more details about Renishaw Hills or to arrange a tour, contact Kelly at 064 198 2693, email sales@renishawhills.co.za, or visit www.renishawhills.co.za. For more details about Renishaw Coastal Precinct, visit www.renishaw.co.za.

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Author: Agnes Matladi from Olivia Jones Communications on behalf of Renishaw Hills.

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