Times are changing...

Forty years ago you got dressed in your Sunday best to visit granny and grandpa whiling away their time in their old-age home or retirement village. Nowadays you struggle to get hold of the mas they jet-set their third-age away!

Fact is that we're ageing later and are getting better at it. Contemporary lifestyles have seen many people actively taking better care of their health, exercising religiously, and doing their utmost to ensure that stress levels remain under control. Ultimately, this has resulted in people retiring at a later stage due to increased longevity and a renewed zest for life.

In 1948, 40% of people died before reaching a pensionable age; today we're living 15 years beyond that. Statistics show that men who retire at 60 generally live for another 18 years and women for an additional 21.

This has opened up a whole new arena in the lifestyle property market. While retirees used to move into old-age homes and retirement villages, a new niche has developed to house and satisfy the 'young' and lively retirees.

“The term retirement has changed completely and has been dissolved into 'age-specific' complexes, as the normal age for retirees no longer means you are actually retired. These developments are rather aimed to catering for certain age groups of both business professionals as well as those looking to enjoying some off-time after their career goals have been fulfilled. This new type of 'age-specific' property developments, such as those that are being marketed by Engel & Völkers Southern Africa, have taken on a progressive approach,” says Craig Hutchison,CEO of Engel & Völkers Southern Africa.

“Today's developments are being specifically designed to encompass pleasing design, community living, and state-of-the-art facilities. Buyers want a capital investment that grows and generates a return, and the new 'age-segmented' properties offer just this.These sectional title developments are quickly becoming the secure investment of choice as the owner of the property can be of any age - thus people of any age can invest. One such opportunity currently being marketed by us is de Land Estate in Potchefstroom” Craig notes.

Potchefstroom is conveniently located, only a 90-minute drive from the hustle and bustle of Gauteng, and is thus a popular destination for people of all ages – students, young working adults, families with children and the 55+ years age group.

The latter group has been neglected over the past few years in the city as it has been 26 years since a development has been built for the 55+ years age group. This has had the effect of all existing facilities being full – and long waiting lists have become the norm.

“Due to the 26 year break,Potchefstroom has a gap in this sector and is ready for a new development falling into this category” notes Carl Venter, Licence Partner of Engel &Völkers Potchefstroom.

Engel & Völkers Potchefstroom has been working on de Land Estate for the past 10 years, and together with the ALS Group, de Land Estate is now a reality. The ALS Group has an excellent reputation regarding the exceptional quality and integrity of their developments, and this new addition is no exception.

It is a 30 ha security estate to the Northern side of Potchefstroom – one of the prime residential areas and boasts a variety of Res 1, Res 2 and Res 3 stands.

About de Land Estate

Catering for the entire family – thee state has an intensive primary focus on security: 2.7m high border walls,additional electric fencing added onto the border walls, a 2.6km route inside the perimeter for security patrols and a custom designed entrance gate that has been developed after doing intensive research regarding security estates – to name only a few of the security measures that will be implemented. The estate also features several green areas, herb gardens, fruit orchards and an impressive tree lined boulevard leading from the de Land Estate entrance gate,complete with walkways for an afternoon jog or walk – all of which will add to the high quality family lifestyle that residents can enjoy inside the security of the estate.

55+ Years Village

Part of the 30 ha de Land Estate is a4 ha village for the 55+ year old age group. This is a big milestone for the Potchefstroom (and surrounding areas) market, especially since the previous development of this kind was in 1991. The 4 ha village will consist of a 1 ha area with a Care Unit and 38 assisted living units that will be developed the reputable ALS Group. On the remaining 3 ha, approx. 120 homes for residents 55+years of age will be developed. Ranging from 1 bedroom homes to 3 bedroom homes and situated inside the 30 ha security estate – the village will be the ideal solution for all 55+  residents in Potchefstroom and surrounding towns. Due to the large demand in this market,the houses will also be of interest to investors.

Phase 1 stands in de Land Estate are in the process of being transferred, all phase 1 services are completed and the entrance gate, border wall and other infrastructure inside the estate such as street lights, paved roads and the planting of trees in the boulevard are all in place.

Res 1 stands are currently selling atR780 per m², and is ideal for anyone looking for a long term investment. The estate lends itself to the development of upmarket townhouses – with a variety of stands that developers can choose from, this is where the Res 2 and Res 3stands are ideal and priced at

R550 per m².

Getting older does not mean that you are 'old' anymore. You can now simply enjoy a relaxed lifestyle with similar aged-groups and with this new niche in property. It has become a very exciting place to be and could put a spring in the step of the 'younger' market in years to come.