Having worked in pensions for almost four decades, 61-year-old Stuart Revill knows all about the importance of planning for a comfortable retirement. For the time being he still works full time as a Pension & Employee Benefits Manager, but with retirement on the horizon he could see that the time was right to make a move to Churchill’s new Wessex Lodge development in Bagshot, and it’s a move that has worked out nicely.
“When it comes to retirement, having the right plan in place is key,” he explains. “I’ve spent my career telling people this, so although I have no immediate plans to retire myself just yet, I wanted to make sure I’m in the right place for when I do. I don’t want to be a cobbler with holes in his shoes!"
He continues: “I was looking to relocate from Bromley to be closer to friends and a little further out from London. Wessex Lodge is perfectly located for my needs, and I also chose it for the excellent quality of the apartments and the sense of community on offer. I can still be completely independent, but I have the option to socialise as and when I want to.
I’ve enjoyed attending some of the regular get-togethers like fish and chip lunches and quiz contests, and the social aspect of living here will be even more important when I do eventually retire.”
For the time being Stuart has to fit his socialising around a busy work schedule, although his visits to the office are less frequent since he has embraced the working from home culture in the wake of the pandemic. “I have a desk set up in my second bedroom and work remotely from there most days,” he explains. “I do still occasionally head into the City for meetings or to spend a day in the office with colleagues, but being mainly based in my apartment works very well for me and helps avoid an unnecessary daily commute.”
Stuart is also benefiting from not having to worry about unexpected bills or property expenses, since his apartment is brand new and all the building and garden maintenance is taken care of by his friendly Lodge Manager. “All the costs are known and manageable, so I can budget with confidence and have peace of mind about the future,” he says. “A few times along the way I asked myself the question, am I too young to be doing this? But the answer is definitely “No”. I’m very glad to have done it early so I can enjoy my new apartment and the lifestyle that comes with it, knowing that I’m in the right place. As I often tell my clients, it’s all about planning for the future!”