There's no sunshine on the NHS

With medical centres on the newer resorts, more Britons are heading south for retirement, says Ginetta Vedrickas

Dismal weather, dwindling pensions and health worries are all factors that contrive to make retiring in the UK a less than attractive prospect. And why would anyone choose to stay when increasing numbers of overseas developments targeted specifically at the retirement market offer an attractive alternative? But while many of us hanker after a sunnier existence there are issues to consider.

Violet Adams wants to sell her large house in the Midlands and buy a smaller one abroad, but is worried that ill health could make moving a mistake. "I'm relatively healthy but would hate to become ill in a foreign place and that is what's stopping me from selling up. My children are also worried for me."

She isn't alone. According to the website www.newskys.co.uk, health is a major concern for people considering buying abroad, as are fears about leaving the property empty. But a new development by Cal Homes targeted at the over-50s hopes to reassure buyers on this front. Palazzo Vivaldi in Roquetas De Mar, Almeria has an all-year swimming pool, fitness centre and cafe but, particularly for an older market, it also offers 24-hour emergency health cover via a medical centre situated on the ground floor and a 24-hour concierge reception area for added security.

Cal Homes MD Michael Hess says both facilities are important to their target market. "We haven't done miles of research on this, it's more of a gut feeling. Concerns about their health and fears that the Spanish health system may not be as good as the UK's is a big worry for many. In fact, the Spanish health system is equally good if not better, but we are backing this up by a private system within the development. Judging by the response we've had, we've hit absolutely the right button."

More than half of the 142-unit development has already sold, with many buyers citing the extra facilities as a great comfort. Hess admits that some retirement developments can be restrictive, for instance by not allowing overnight visitors, but Palazzo Vivaldi intends to be flexible. "We have kept two apartments free that are available at subsidised rents, around £150 per week, so that buyers don't have to clutter their own apartments if friends or family want to visit."

Children are often restricted from such schemes – posing a problem if grandchildren need to visit. "We'd like to make it the exception rather than the rule, as we don't want masses of screaming children around the pool," Hess says, although the development's rules and regulations will ultimately rest with a management committee made up of mostly British buyers.

Elsie Whiting, 82, and husband George, 87, moved to a retirement scheme in Gosport, Hampshire two years ago after finding the garden of their Worcester bungalow too much to maintain. "We wish we'd done it years ago. Everyone said we were mad at our age but we've had a wonderful time and the social life has been marvellous." Now the Whitings are on the move again, this time to Palazzo Vivaldi where they've bought a one-bedroom, third-floor flat overlooking the pool. "The medical facilities decided it. At our age that's exactly what we need. We were going to spend six months of every year there, and have now decided to move there permanently."

The Whitings are looking forward to sampling the local fare and intend to benefit from both the climate – "on our winter inspection visit it was in the 70s" – and the cheaper cost of living. The couple believe that a positive outlook is essential. "For our last remaining years, we want to thoroughly enjoy ourselves. We may be getting on, but the spirit is there."

For some buyers, nothing less than their own villa will do, but there are compromises. Casa Travella is selling an apartment in a period villa near Lake Como for £130,000. Surrounded by gardens, the property is just five minutes away from the local doctors, a hospital with A&E is just 10 minutes by car, as is the local golf course. Linda Travella says: "It's ideal for people who are retiring as they can have independence but still have people to talk to. It's not just a holiday home; Italian owners live in the other apartments, and you can walk to the lake."

Andy and Ann Hewlett, who have also bought a two-bedroom flat in Palazzo Vivaldi, believe that apartment life is the way forward. "The British lifestyle is built around owning your own house but when you retire you don't want to waste time and money on maintenance – you should be getting on and doing what you want. This offers an independent way of living with security." The Hewletts manage a UK retirement scheme where they live on site in an apartment and have seen at first hand the benefits that this lifestyle brings. They hope to initially spend holidays in Spain but aim to ultimately spend most of their time there. "It's so easy, you only spend 10 minutes on house work and then you're free to enjoy yourself. We're looking forward to learning the language and exploring Spain."

For "empty nesters" who are keen on sports, Cal Homes will soon launch Vera Gardens, a beachside development within striking distance of Alicante, Almeria and Murcia airports and near the town of Mojacar and Garucha. Prices start from £110,000 up to £240,000 and the development will feature a range of facilities including tennis courts.

Cal Homes Overseas: 01869 325407

www.newskys.co.uk

Casa Travella: 01322 660988