There are many things we can do to stay fit and healthy as we get older — such as exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet — but some experts now believe that one of the best ways to age gracefully is to be sociable.

One lady enjoying the social side of retirement living community is Jean Wray aged 77yrs who found her perfect apartment through My Future Living, the UK’s leading retirement rental specialist.

Last year, Jean sadly lost her husband, John to Covid. The couple who were married for over 40 years, decided to move from North London to Seaford in East Sussex four years ago for a quieter way of life and to be close to the sea.

Jean, previously from Harrow, North London rents a one-bedroom apartment at retirement development Homeshore House in Seaford on an assured tenancy and says that renting in retirement is the best decision they ever made.

Jean says, “It was a great decision to move and now every day I enjoy stress-free living.”

Jean, previously a legal secretary, is an active and sociable 76 year old who thrives on the social aspects of retirement life. She particularly enjoys helping to organise social events for residents in the development including bingo evenings, garden centre visits, pub lunches and golden oldies film afternoons.

She loves to keep busy and also finds time to volunteer for two charities helping people recovering from strokes and people with sight problems.

Jean comments: “I love being part of the community and helping get those who want to socialise to get out and about. We also have a communal greenhouse where we grow and share all our produce with each other. It’s a lovely way to get out, keep busy and meet new people.”

She comments, “Homeshore House is the perfect place to live, not only because the surroundings and gardens are immaculate with trees dotted everywhere but I’ve got the downs on one side and the sea on the other. Right outside the development is a bus stop which means I can easily get into Brighton and Eastbourne.”

When asked about renting in retirement, Jean says: “We used to own a lovely house but maintaining it was getting harder. We also wanted to free up some money so we could help our son with a deposit for his own place. I now have a worry-free life and if something needs fixing its sorted very quickly with no stress to us.”

She concludes, “When we started our search we looked around and talked to many different companies but found My Future Living the most helpful and the easiest to deal with. I would highly recommend renting in retirement. It’s a fantastic way of life with no worries. What’s not to love?”

To find out more about renting a home in a retirement development visit: www.myfutureliving.co.uk